After a car accident, determining exactly what happened can sometimes be difficult. Drivers may remember events differently, witnesses may disagree, and important details can disappear quickly. Traffic cameras and dashcams can provide valuable visual evidence that helps clarify what occurred.
Traffic Camera Footage Can Show What Happened
Traffic cameras may capture a collision, the moments leading up to it, or what drivers did immediately afterward. Depending on the location, footage could help show whether a vehicle ran a red light, failed to yield, changed lanes improperly, or was traveling in a particular direction.
However, traffic camera footage is not automatically available in every accident. Cameras may not record continuously, and recordings may be deleted or overwritten after a certain period. Acting quickly to identify potentially useful footage can therefore be important.
Dashcam Videos Can Provide Valuable Evidence
A dashcam recording can offer a driver’s perspective of the accident. It may capture traffic signals, vehicle movements, road conditions, and events immediately before and after the collision.
Dashcam footage can be particularly useful when the drivers give conflicting accounts. California courts recognize photographs and videos as potential forms of proof, although evidence must meet applicable requirements before it can be used in a case.
Video Does Not Automatically Prove Fault
Having a recording does not necessarily settle every issue in a car accident case. The video may only show part of the incident or may require additional evidence to explain what happened.
Courts consider whether evidence is relevant and whether it can properly be admitted. California courts also provide procedures for presenting electronic recordings as evidence.
Other evidence, including photographs, medical records, police reports, and witness statements, may also be important when establishing what happened and the resulting injuries or losses.
Preserve Potential Video Evidence
If you know that a traffic camera, business security camera, or dashcam may have recorded the accident, preserve the information as soon as possible. Keep the original recording and avoid editing or altering the file.
In a legal dispute, the parties may also use discovery procedures to request photographs, electronically stored information, and other records relevant to the accident.
Traffic cameras and dashcams can provide powerful evidence, but they are only one part of a car accident case. Preserving recordings promptly and combining them with other reliable evidence can help create a clearer picture of what happened.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a St Petersburg personal injury attorney. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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