Any evidence of a negligent driver’s fault can be beneficial in a Georgia car accident lawsuit. That includes traffic camera footage. But is such footage available in Georgia, and if so, how can victims access it?
To begin, Georgia car accident victims should understand that it is rare for a traffic camera of any kind to film or photograph a collision. The Georgia Department of Transportation streams footage from live traffic cameras throughout the state but doesn’t currently store it. Red-light and speed cameras operate on a trigger basis, meaning certain criteria must be met for these devices to photograph your Georgia car accident. If there isn’t traffic camera footage of your collision, as there so often isn’t, don’t worry. Instead, turn to an experienced attorney who can uncover other evidence to prove a negligent driver’s fault in a Georgia car accident lawsuit.
We’re here to help car accident victims throughout Georgia recover the compensatory damages they deserve. For a free case evaluation with the Georgia car accident lawyers at Howe Law, call today at (844) 876-4357.
Obtaining Traffic Camera Footage for a Car Accident in Georgia
If certain types of traffic cameras filmed your car accident, you might be able to retrieve the footage. The process isn’t easy and victims generally require help from an experienced attorney. It’s important to understand that the chances of them recovering traffic camera footage in some cases can be slim.
Live Cameras
The Georgia Department of Transportation has a network of traffic cameras throughout the state that stream live footage daily. While you can watch a stream online, you can’t necessarily access previously filmed footage. That’s because the Georgia Department of Transportation doesn’t store footage from its traffic cameras. These cameras are used to monitor the flow of traffic and weather conditions, not to film possible collisions. Even if these cameras streamed your car accident live, the footage will not be stored for future access.
Red-Light Cameras
On the rare chance that your car accident was caught on a red-light camera, you might be able to obtain photographs. Red-light cameras operate on a trigger basis and are usually situated in busy intersections in Georgia. If a driver runs a red-light, the camera will snap a photo of the driver’s face and license plate. Red-light cameras don’t film footage, but take pictures instead.
The good news is these photos are stored. So, if a negligent driver ran a red-light at the exact moment they hit you, it’s possible that there are photographs of your accident. Accessing these photos is often difficult and may require the resources of an experienced attorney. It’s important to remember that while it’s possible for a red-light camera to have photographed your accident, the chances aren’t very high. However, if such photos do exist, your attorney can use them to support your compensation claim against a negligent driver.
Speed Cameras
In Georgia, speed cameras are often placed along construction sites and highways to deter speeding as much as possible. This type of traffic camera works on a trigger basis, meaning if a negligent driver passes a speedometer too quickly, the camera will snap some photos. These photos are then stored to identify and fine a speeding driver.
So, if a driver was speeding and passed a speed camera when they hit you, it is possible that there are photos of your accident. Again, accessing these photos can be difficult, and many Georgia victims might not be aware of the possibility of their existence. Because of that, it’s important to hire an Atlanta car accident lawyer. Your attorney can identify any speed cameras near your collision site and request access to photos taken that day.
What if You Can’t Obtain Traffic Camera Footage of a Georgia Car Accident?
If no traffic cameras filmed or photographed your Georgia car accident, you might think that there is no footage for you to obtain. In reality, another type of camera or device might have a record of your accident. An experienced attorney can help you gather other evidence that can be just as useful in a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
Depending on the location of your Georgia car accident, it’s possible that a private security camera filmed a negligent driver’s actions. Your skilled Georgia car accident lawyer will know to survey the area and speak to local business owners or homeowners with security cameras on their premises. If there are security cameras in the area, it’s possible that they filmed your car accident. Such footage, if it exists, can demonstrate an at-fault driver’s negligence in a Georgia car accident lawsuit.
All is not lost if there is absolutely no footage or photographs of your car accident. An experienced Savannah car accident lawyer will know to search for other types of evidence to prove a negligent driver’s fault. For example, eyewitness testimony can be incredibly effective in a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Photos taken by victims and law enforcement officials at the accident site can be invaluable evidence in a compensation claim.
If you’re having difficulty getting traffic camera footage of a Georgia car accident, ask a lawyer for help. Don’t give up if you can’t obtain traffic camera footage of a Georgia car accident because it doesn’t exist. Hire an experienced lawyer who can prove a negligent driver’s fault, even without traffic camera footage.
Call Our Attorneys After a Georgia Car Accident
If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident in Georgia, our attorneys are here to help. For a free case evaluation with the Warner Robins car accident lawyers at Howe Law, call today at (844) 876-4357.
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