When liability isn’t clear, a car accident can become a complicated affair. The only way to establish liability where it’s heavily disputed is to present some form of evidence. Evidence can be in form of videos or pictures that captured the events that led up to the accident. If you’re lucky enough, your car accident might have happened in an area where cameras are recording for a number of reasons. Camera footage can be invaluable if you decide to file a car accident claim. Getting hold of camera footage, unfortunately, might not be as easy as you think. How exactly can a Hyannis car accident lawyer access this footage and which procedure do they follow?
How a Hyannis car accident lawyer can acquire camera footage of a car accident
An experienced car accident lawyer in Hyannis is one of the most important assets you can have when trying to acquire any form of evidence after a car accident. If they have experience handling cases similar to yours, then they will know the right channels to go through. You, on the other hand, won’t be able to use these channels because of the level of formality and credibility that’s needed. Additionally, you may not know the correct procedure to use when trying to obtain footage from certain sources.
What are the different sources of camera footage for car accidents?
Security cameras
Many public and private businesses have cameras placed around their premises for security purposes. Due to how these cameras are positioned, some of them will record footage of the road nearby. If these security cameras belong to private property, it would just be a matter of contacting them directly to get a copy of the footage. However, if the cameras belong to the state or local government your lawyer will need to file a formal request.
Traffic cameras
Cameras are usually installed in busy areas to help monitor traffic and they record car accidents. Since these cameras are owned by the government, your lawyer will also need to submit a formal request to obtain the footage.
Private witness footage
If you’re lucky, some bystanders may have recorded footage at the time your accident was occurring. It’s a long shot but sometimes such coincidences do happen. Obtaining such footage does not require your lawyer to submit any formal request but tracking down the person who recorded the footage might be difficult. However, if you’re able to obtain footage from a bystander you can also use them as a witness in your car accident claim.
Police dashboard camera footage
If law enforcement was in the area when the accident happened their dashboard cameras or body cam might have recorded the accident. Your Hyannis car accident lawyer should be able to obtain this footage by filing a formal request.
How will camera footage help your car accident case in Hyannis?
Video footage will provide a strong basis for proving who was at fault in your car accident claim. Video footage leaves little room for bias unlike when a witness narrates their story about what happened.
Video footage in hit-and-run accidents can also be used to identify the driver. In multi-car accidents, it can be useful to determine what caused the accident.
You can try to get camera footage on your own but we strongly recommend that you hire a car accident lawyer in Hyannis to help you get it.
What other evidence can support your car accident claim?
We always advise car accident victims to first seek medical attention even if their injuries are not as severe. You might not be injured to the point where you need to be admitted to the hospital but it’s better to get cleared by your doctor.
Other than video footage you should have the following to help support your claim:
- Pictures of your injuries and damage to your car
- A copy of the police report
- Contact information of any witnesses who’s so what happened
- A copy of your medical bills shows you received treatment as a result of the injuries he sustained in the car accident.
Hire a Hyannis car accident lawyer from Kevin P Landry Law Offices
Our car accident lawyers have the experience needed to ensure that we secure maximum compensation for you. Contact us today at 508-775-1660 to schedule your free initial consultation.
