How to Get Footage from a Car Accident in Miami

Getting footage of a car accident in Miami can help you recover compensation for your various losses. But how exactly can you get such footage, and what should you do if it doesn’t exist?

You can get footage of your recent car accident from various sources. Security camera footage owned by nearby businesses or homeowners might provide clear evidence of negligence. Our lawyers can also contact those who witnessed your accident take place to see if they filmed anything using their smartphones. Similarly, we can request any photos or videos taken by police at the accident site. Depending on the situation, images from traffic cameras might also be available. Whether or not you are able to get footage of a car accident in Miami, you will likely need to compile other evidence. This might include statements from eyewitnesses, photographs taken at the scene, and a victim’s medical records confirming their injuries.

To have the Miami car accident lawyers of The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. evaluate your case for free, call us now at (954) 568-3636.

How Can You Get Footage of a Car Accident in Miami?

When video evidence of a car accident is available, victims might improve their chances of recovery in Miami. You may be able to get footage from security cameras, eyewitnesses’ phones, police officers, or traffic cameras. Footage might get erased with time, so it is important to act quickly and obtain it as soon as possible.

Footage from Security Cameras

Our Boca Raton car accident lawyers will begin by surveying the area where your collision took place. If there are businesses or homes nearby, we will contact property owners who might have surveillance cameras. Footage from surveillance cameras might show your car accident occurring. This can be crucial evidence in your claim. It is important to contact owners of security cameras immediately to ensure footage is not deleted.

Footage from Eyewitnesses

It is not uncommon for eyewitnesses to take videos using their smartphones. They might film an accident as it happens or the aftermath. Regardless, speak to eyewitnesses following a crash. If you cannot do so, our lawyers can refer to the police report for your accident to learn of their names and contact information. We can then get in touch with eyewitnesses and request access to any footage or photos they might have taken using their personal devices. Statements from eyewitnesses can also be effective evidence.

Footage from Police Officers

While police officers do not always take photos or videos of a car crash, they might, especially if an accident is severe. Generally, these videos and photos are available within the accident report for your collision. You can obtain such images by contacting the Miami Police Department and requesting your accident report and any supplemental materials. Generally, such information becomes accessible to victims in the days or weeks following an accident in Miami. If you are having difficulty obtaining information from the police, reach out to our lawyers for assistance.

Footage from Traffic Cameras

While the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has live traffic cameras in Miami, the footage is generally not stored for long, if at all. Because of this, acting quickly is of the utmost importance. We can contact FDOT following your accident in case retrieving traffic camera footage of the crash is a possibility. Depending on the location of your accident, a red-light camera might have photographed it. Again, we can reach out to the agencies responsible for monitoring red-light cameras in Miami and obtain any images of your accident to use in your compensation claim. Because traffic cameras do not always store footage or photographs, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get footage from these sources in Miami.

What if You Cannot Get Footage of a Car Accident in Miami?

Suppose you cannot get footage of your recent car accident in Miami. In that case, there may be other evidence you can use to prove a negligent driver’s fault for your injuries and recover the compensatory damages you deserve.

Eyewitness Statements

When footage of a car accident is unavailable, eyewitness statements can be useful. Eyewitnesses can explain what they saw and how another driver acted negligently, causing your injuries. Even if you have footage of your accident, eyewitness statements will be important.

Photographs

You should not assume that you will be able to get footage of your car crash. While footage might be available, such as videos taken by eyewitnesses or security cameras, that is not always the case. You can supplement by taking pictures of the accident yourself. Photograph your injuries and the overall fallout from the incident. If you cannot take pictures because of your injuries, ask first responders to do so on your behalf. You should always take pictures following a car accident, regardless of whether or not you think you will be able to get footage from another source.

Medical Records

Whether or not you can get footage of a car accident in Miami, you will need to provide medical records as proof of your injuries. This is essential in any claim brought based on injury. Regardless of how serious your injuries initially appear after an accident, go to the hospital. Continue to get the necessary medical care from doctors and specialists. If you are seeking recovery of non-economic damages in your claim, you will have to prove that your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. You can only do this by submitting ample medical evidence of your injuries. Even if you were able to get footage of your accident, that will not be sufficient in proving the severity of your physical injuries.

Call Our Miami Lawyers About Your Car Accident

Call The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A at (954) 568-3636 to have our Miami car accident attorneys review your case for free.