It has become more and more common to see surveillance cameras all around. There are cameras at major intersections, at traffic signals, on highways, freeway entrances and exits, gas stations, public spaces, and private businesses. These cameras capture a number of incidents on a daily basis. For some of the parties involved in any sort of road incident, these videos can help them with their lawsuits.

Why is the footage captured by surveillance cameras so important to injury claims? The footage is important because of what it captures, which could include the following:

• The hazard or dangerous condition that directly caused the incident (e.g., whether drivers were speeding, whether pedestrians had the right of way to cross, etc.)
• Exactly how the incident happened
• The aftermath of the incident

In general, video footage can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful personal injury claim.

Unfortunately, obtaining video footage is not simple. If the incident occurred on private property, for instance, like on the premises of a store or other business, the video footage is private, meaning that affected victims have no legal right to it. They can speak to the property owner and request the footage, but the property owner does not have to make it available. When the local authorities are involved, it is more likely that property owners will cooperate and make footage available, although there is still no guarantee. In these cases, the only way to access video footage would be for the footage to be subpoenaed in court.

What if the incident was not captured by a private surveillance camera but rather one of the many traffic cameras all along roads, highways, and traffic signals? The first step is to figure out who owns the camera that captured the incident. These cameras can potentially be owned by the city, county, or state; they can be operated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or local police.

How can you request the video footage? The first thing that you should do is to contact the local police and the DOT. This will allow you to verify which agency operates the specific camera in question. Then, you should request a freedom of information act (FOIA) request form. Although a form might be available, a written request is also perfectly acceptable; any written requests must describe the records being sought. In general, these requests can be accepted electronically (e-mail, fax, or web form).

How long can you wait before requesting video footage? The time that agencies hold on to videos before destroying them varies significantly, with some agencies only keeping videos for 14 days. Therefore, anyone interested in requesting video footage should act fast to ensure that they actually have a chance at getting the video before it is destroyed.

If you have any more questions regarding how to obtain surveillance video footage or what you should do, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help you every step of the way – including getting the footage.

Without a doubt, getting video footage that supports your injury claim can help you win your case. If you are interested in learning more about how to get video footage after any sort of road accident, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bike accidents, and pedestrian accidents, for instance, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our firm immediately. Our lawyers at Downtown L.A. Law Group are ready to provide you with the information that you need to successfully pursue your claim. At our firm, we are dedicated to representing victims and their families – and helping them recover a fair amount of compensation for the harm resulting from personal injury accidents. If you would like to speak with our experts, contact us today.

We offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these legal services, our personal injury lawyers will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns – ensuring that you have all the information that you need to start or continue your claim. To benefit from these free legal services and discuss your clam with one of our experts, contact us immediately.

We offer a Zero-Fee guarantee, so that our clients do not have to worry about paying upfront legal expenses. We are also based on contingency; therefore, our clients will not pay for legal fees until after winning their claims. If you do not win and recover compensation, you will not be responsible for paying anything.

Would you like to speak with our experts to learn more about obtaining video footage after a road accident? If so, contact us today.

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