Securing Camera Footage After a Car Accident to Support Your Claim
Car accidents are rarely straightforward. When multiple vehicles are involved or drivers give conflicting accounts of what happened, determining fault can quickly become complicated. In many cases, clear and convincing evidence is the only way to resolve disputes and protect your right to compensation.
Photos, accident reconstruction, and—most importantly—video footage can play a critical role in proving what truly happened. Many crashes occur in areas monitored by traffic, security, or private cameras. When available, this footage can be one of the strongest forms of evidence in a car accident injury claim. The challenge is knowing how to locate and obtain it before it is deleted or lost.
How an Attorney Can Help You Obtain Accident Footage
One of the most effective ways to secure video evidence after a crash is by working with an experienced car accident attorney. Lawyers who regularly handle auto accident cases understand where footage may exist and how to request it properly.
Attorneys can act quickly, send preservation letters, and use formal legal requests or subpoenas when necessary. This professional approach often carries more weight than an individual request and helps ensure valuable evidence is not destroyed or withheld. The process for obtaining footage varies depending on who owns the camera.
Common Sources of Car Accident Camera Footage
Traffic Cameras
Traffic cameras are increasingly common at busy intersections and major roadways. These cameras often capture collisions caused by speeding, red-light violations, or unsafe turns. Because traffic cameras are typically owned by government agencies, obtaining footage usually requires a formal request or subpoena handled by an attorney.
Privately Owned Traffic Cameras
Some traffic cameras are owned by private entities, such as news stations or media companies, that monitor traffic flow in high-congestion areas. These locations also tend to be accident hotspots. In these cases, an attorney can contact the owner directly to request access to the footage.
Security Cameras
Many businesses, apartment complexes, and private properties use security cameras to monitor their premises. These cameras may also capture nearby roadways or parking areas where accidents occur. Depending on ownership, footage may be obtained through direct contact with the property owner or through a formal legal request.
Police Dashboard and Body Cameras
If law enforcement was nearby when the crash occurred or arrived shortly after, the incident may have been recorded on a police dashboard camera or body-worn camera. An attorney can request this footage as part of the investigation into your accident.
Footage From Witnesses
In some situations, bystanders may have recorded the crash on a phone or personal camera. While this type of footage is less common, it can be extremely valuable. Obtaining it may require persistence, as some witnesses are difficult to reach or hesitant to get involved. When available, these individuals may also serve as witnesses to support your claim.
Why Video Footage Is So Powerful in Car Accident Cases
When it comes to proving fault, few forms of evidence are as persuasive as video footage. Unlike witness statements or accident reconstructions, video evidence shows exactly what happened, leaving little room for interpretation or dispute.
Footage is especially valuable in hit-and-run accidents, as it may identify the fleeing driver and their vehicle. Multi-car collisions can also benefit significantly from video evidence, helping establish the sequence of events and each driver’s role in the crash. While it may be possible to attempt to obtain footage on your own, working with an attorney helps ensure the process is handled correctly and efficiently.
Additional Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Car Accident Claim
After a crash, your health and safety should always come first. Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries are not obvious at the scene. Once it is safe to do so, gathering evidence can greatly support your injury claim.
If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, and traffic signs. Be sure to call the police and obtain a copy of the accident report. Collect contact information from any witnesses, as their statements may also be helpful in establishing fault and damages.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Applebaum Accident Group
If you were injured due to another driver’s negligence, you may be facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and long-term physical or emotional challenges. You should not have to handle these burdens alone.
The car accident lawyers at Applebaum Accident Group are committed to helping injured victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Our team investigates every case thoroughly, including identifying and securing critical evidence such as camera footage, so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact Applebaum Accident Group today for a consultation. We are ready to review your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve
