Video footage of car accidents can provide compelling evidence in a car accident lawsuit. The footage can be captured by traffic or surveillance cameras or eyewitnesses using smartphones.
If you search for video footage of a car accident in Augusta, requesting traffic camera footage would be one of the first places to start. The Georgia Department of Transportation can be contacted to determine if one of their live traffic cameras captured the incident. Contacting the Georgia Department of Public Safety to check if images from red-light or speed cameras are available is also possible. Apart from traffic cameras, other devices like surveillance cameras and smartphones might have recorded the accident.
For a free case review with our Augusta car accident attorneys, contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Can I Obtain Traffic Camera Footage for a Car Accident in Augusta, GA?
It is crucial to have video footage of a car accident in Augusta if you want to recover damages for the harm you have suffered. However, relying on traffic cameras for such footage might not always be possible. Live, red-light, and speed cameras might not provide relevant images of the accident. Fortunately, our Augusta personal injury attorneys can help determine if there are other sources of footage that caught your accident. The following are the most common types of footage that can be used in your lawsuit:
Georgia Department of Transportation Camera Footage
Georgia has set up an elaborate system of traffic cameras that serves the primary purpose of allowing government officials to monitor traffic flow. The live streams of these traffic cameras can be accessed by anyone on their smartphones or computers via the Georgia DOT traffic service called Georgia 511.
These live streams can provide accurate information about traffic conditions, which can be used by commuters to decide on the best route. However, the Georgia DOT does not store the videos as it would require an enormous storage space and be too expensive to provide footage upon request.
Additionally, under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the authority to entertain requests for photos and other records related to accidents. You can send your request for photos and other records of crashes to the Georgia DPS Open Records Unit, along with your full name, mailing address, and phone number.
When requesting photos or documents related to a car accident, make sure to provide the names of any victims or subjects involved, as well as the specific records you are seeking. Additionally, include the name of the county or city where the incident occurred, the date of the crash or investigation, and the report or incident number.
Red-Light Camera Footage
Red light cameras are legal and actively used in Augusta. 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 who violate traffic laws. The images captured by these cameras are reviewed by law enforcement officers, who then issue tickets to the drivers who are identified as violators.
Red light cameras in Augusta are managed by the Augusta Traffic Management Center. Unfortunately, it does not have a specific process for requesting traffic light camera footage. However, our team can reach out to the Traffic Management Center to determine if it is possible to gather footage of your accident.
Surveillance Camera Footage
If you’re involved in a car accident, and there is no footage from public traffic cameras, there’s no need to worry. Other cameras located in different parts of the city might have captured the necessary evidence. As more people install security cameras for private use, it’s increasingly common to find them in homes and stores. There are various types of security cameras available, such as doorbell cameras, Wi-Fi security systems, and traditional security cameras, which could record your accident.
We can contact homes and stores surrounding the accident location to ask if they have any security cameras installed. If they have, we can send letters to request that they keep and preserve the footage in case it’s needed as evidence in your case.
Remember, security camera footage is typically deleted quickly because of finite storage capacity. Therefore, it is crucial to act fast and contact our firm as soon as possible after an accident to start gathering evidence.
Dashcam Footage
The use of dashboard cameras is on the rise among drivers due to their ability to provide evidence in car accidents and protect against liability. If a dashboard camera is installed in your car, it can serve as valuable evidence, but if not, we can attempt to obtain footage from another dashcam that might have captured the accident.
If the responsible driver had a dashcam in their car, we could request that video as evidence through a subpoena during the discovery stage of your case. Our lawyers can use the court’s subpoena power to demand that the defense provide any evidence, including camera footage they possess. Although dashcams can serve as protection for drivers in case of a lawsuit, it’s important to note that video evidence can also prove their fault.
Dashcams are also installed in police cars, and officers are mandated to wear bodycams. These cameras are generally turned on, and when an officer is responding to an accident, their dashboard camera should be activated. Although the crash itself might not have been recorded, unless the camera was directed towards the accident, the dashcam could have captured critical information when the officer arrived at the accident scene.
Cell Phone Footage
If you have been recently injured in a car accident, it is not advisable to rely solely on possible videos from traffic cameras or other footage. Instead, it is often beneficial to take matters into your own hands and capture footage yourself. 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, it is important to 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 crucial not to delete any videos or photos taken at the accident scene, as they might be used as evidence in your case.
Our Augusta Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to speak with our Georgia car accident attorneys and receive your free case evaluation.
Related Articles
