Video footage of car accidents can provide compelling evidence in a car accident lawsuit. The footage could come from traffic or surveillance cameras or even eyewitnesses’ smartphones.
If you are looking for footage of a car accident that occurred in Palm Beach County, starting with traffic camera video footage is a good idea. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) can be contacted to check if one of their live traffic cameras captured the incident. You can also contact the local police department to check if red-light or speed cameras have useful images. In addition to traffic cameras, other devices like surveillance cameras or smartphones might have recorded the accident.
For a free case assessment with our Palm Beach County car accident attorneys, contact the Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. at (954) 751-4258 today.
How Do I Get Footage of a Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL?
In the event of an auto accident in Palm Beach County, it is vital to have video footage of the collision to recover compensatory damages. However, victims cannot always rely on traffic cameras for such footage. Live, red-light, and speed cameras might not provide relevant images of the accident. Fortunately, victims might be able to obtain helpful videos and photos from eyewitnesses or surveillance cameras. They can also take photos themselves at the accident site to support their claim.
Florida Department of Transportation Camera Footage
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) operates numerous live cameras across the state, primarily positioned at busy intersections and frequently congested highways. These cameras provide FDOT with up-to-date information about weather and traffic patterns and can also alert drivers to potential road delays caused by accidents or roadwork. Although the FDOT streams live video from these cameras on its website, it does not store the footage for any length of time.
In the unlikely event that FDOT has footage of a car accident, our Palm Beach County personal injury lawyers can request it through a subpoena. However, the chances of the footage existing are low since the accident must have occurred in front of an FDOT camera, and the footage must have been kept by FDOT, which is rare.
Red-Light Camera Footage
Red-light cameras are legal in Florida, and different cities and municipalities have their own set of rules regarding their enforcement. These cameras capture still images of a vehicle that runs a red light instead of taking videos. The primary purpose of these cameras is to deter reckless driving and identify drivers for the purpose of ticketing them. However, in Florida, red-light cameras can also be useful in strengthening a victim’s compensation claim by providing evidential imagery.
Although there is a possibility of getting photos from these cameras, it is relatively unlikely because the camera must be triggered at the exact moment of the accident. If you want to obtain photographs from these cameras, it is necessary to contact the Palm Beach County Police Department or the department that is responsible for maintaining the specific red-light camera soon after an accident.
Speed Camera Footage
As of June 2023, speed cameras are now legal in Florida for use in school zones. Law enforcement officials can install these cameras to prevent negligence and car accidents involving children. If you happen to be involved in an accident caused by a negligent driver in a school zone in Palm Beach County, there might be photographs of the accident. In that case, you can contact the local police department to request access to the pictures. It is important to act quickly as there is no clear timeline for how long these photographs will be retained by law enforcement officials.
Cell Phone Footage
It is unwise to rely on possible videos from traffic cameras or other footage if you have recently been injured in a car accident. Instead, it is often beneficial for victims to take matters into their own hands and capture footage themselves. If you are physically capable, record the aftermath of the accident, including footage of the negligent driver’s vehicle, your own car, and any debris.
Additionally, take pictures of your injuries, as this can help establish that the injuries were sustained due to the car accident. These images can be used as supporting evidence alongside your medical records, which will provide greater insight into the severity of your injuries. It is important not to delete any videos or photos taken at the accident scene, as they might be used as evidence in your case.
Dashcam Footage
Dashboard cameras are becoming increasingly popular among drivers as they serve as a protection against liability and provide evidence in car accident cases. If you have a dashboard camera installed in your car, it can serve as excellent evidence. Otherwise, we can try to obtain footage from a dashcam that might have captured the accident.
In case the responsible driver had a dashcam installed in their car, we could subpoena that video as evidence. During the discovery stage of your case, our lawyers can use the court’s subpoena power to demand that the defense turn over evidence in their possession, including any camera footage they have. While dashcams can protect drivers in case they get sued, it’s also important to note that video evidence can also be used to prove their fault.
Police cars are also equipped with dashcams, and many officers are required to have bodycams equipped. These cameras are usually on, and whenever a police officer is responding to an accident, their dashboard camera should be activated. Although they might not have a video of the crash itself, unless the camera was pointed at the accident, the dashcam might have captured evidence when the police officer arrived at the scene of the crash. We can potentially request this footage for use in your case.
Surveillance Camera Footage
If you get into a car accident and public traffic cameras do not have any saved footage, don’t worry. You still have a chance to obtain evidence from other cameras located throughout the city. Many people use security cameras for private purposes, and it’s becoming increasingly popular. More and more homes and stores are installing them every day. These security cameras come in different forms, like doorbell cameras, Wi-Fi security systems, and traditional security cameras. There’s always a possibility that your accident was captured by any of these cameras.
We can contact the homes and stores near the accident location to inquire about any security cameras that they might have installed. If there are any, we can send letters requesting that they preserve and save the video in case it is needed as evidence later in your case.
Keep in mind that security camera footage is typically erased quickly due to storage limitations. Therefore, it’s crucial to act promptly and contact our lawyers as soon as possible after an accident to begin collecting evidence. If you delay calling a lawyer and initiating your case, the camera footage could be erased in a matter of days, making it difficult to prove your case.
Our Palm Beach County Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Contact the Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. today at (954) 751-4258 for a free case assessment with our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys.
