How to Get Car Accident Camera Footage

Cameras are everywhere you look these days — on street corners, at traffic lights, and on everyone’s phones. If you find yourself in a car accident, video evidence from traffic cameras and other sources can help prove who’s at fault and get the maximum compensation for damages.

However, even though cameras are all around us, getting traffic camera footage of that exact moment can be pure luck. Sometimes, it’s available, but obtaining it is challenging. Other times, it seems like your car accident occurred right in the area that wasn’t being recorded.

In this article, we’ll guide you on how to get car accident camera footage. We’ll also explain what to do if there’s no video of the collision. Because while traffic camera footage is helpful, you can still make your case without it.

Can You Get a Traffic Camera Footage of Your Accident?

When you’re trying to find video proof of your crash, traffic camera footage is a pretty obvious choice. Traffic cameras usually monitor major intersections, highways, and busy streets, day and night. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) manages these cameras. However, not all cameras may be accessible to the public due to privacy or operational policies.

However, it’s essential to act quickly. Traffic cameras don’t preserve footage forever. Some only save it for a few days, while others might keep it for up to 30 days. The sooner you obtain traffic camera footage, the better. If you manage to get the video proof, it can significantly strengthen your case.

Video evidence is more persuasive than verbal explanations alone. For example, when a victim has a concussion after a car accident, traffic camera footage can demonstrate the mechanics of injuries and impacts.

Did Massachusetts Traffic Cameras Film Your Car Accident?

Massachusetts has multiple traffic cameras set up all over the state, but there are some reasons why they might not catch a car accident:

1. Live monitoring only. Some traffic cameras in Massachusetts are designed just to monitor traffic flow in real time. They send out real-time video to traffic control centers but don’t save any footage.
2. Wrong camera focus. Also, traffic cameras tend to focus on patterns, not the details. So, if your accident happened just outside their view or in a blind spot between two cameras, they might miss it.
3. Snapshot-only systems. Some traffic cameras, especially at intersections, only take photos when something triggers them, like running a red light or speeding.
4. Technical issues. And let’s not forget, sometimes traffic cameras just don’t work. They might be down for maintenance when an accident happens.

However, obtaining traffic camera footage isn’t the only method to support cases of injured accident victims. There are many other cameras that could’ve caught the incident.

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What Other Cameras Should You Check to Find the Footage of Your Car Accident?

Do not lose hope if you can’t access traffic camera footage. There are many other observers on the streets. Here are some other places to check for crash footage:

• Surveillance cameras. Plenty of stores, restaurants, and office buildings have cameras pointing at their parking lots and the streets outside. Their surveillance camera footage is often of better quality than traffic camera footage.
• Dashcams from other drivers. When you look at Massachusetts car accident statistics, you realize why more drivers are installing dashcams for protection. Even if they weren’t part of your crash, other vehicles passing by might have caught the whole scene.
• Construction site cameras. Their security cameras often run 24/7 and may have filmed your car accident if it went down near a construction area.
• ​​Smartphone footage. Bystanders often record accidents. You can ask any witnesses if they or anyone else made pictures or shot videos with their phones.

How to Obtain Traffic Camera Video

First of all, you need to identify all possible traffic cameras that might have captured your collision and other sources. Walk around the collision scene and make a note of every camera you can spot.

Finding out that your car accident was filmed is just the beginning. Here’s what else you need to do:

• Submit official requests to get video from traffic cameras

  File formal requests for any traffic camera footage through MassDOT. You’ll need to provide details about the car accident, like the time and location.

• Reach out to local businesses

  Visit or call businesses near the crash site. A friendly conversation with the managers or owners can help you obtain this footage before it gets deleted.

• Talk to witnesses

  Ask any witnesses if they took videos or photos with their phones. Their contact information and details about others who could be filming can be extremely valuable.

• Keep records of your efforts

  A clear paper trail of all your attempts to get footage from traffic cameras and other sources can also be useful. Save all emails, letters, and notes.

• Work with an attorney

  Here’s the easiest way to handle all of this — let car accident lawyers do it for you. Attorneys know whom to contact and how to request traffic camera footage properly. They can send official preservation letters to prevent videos from being deleted. Most importantly, they know how to legally obtain video from traffic cameras to ensure it’s acceptable in court.

While video footage can be critical evidence, its absence doesn’t automatically mean failure. Many claims can be won without any footage. An experienced lawyer can build a strong case using other evidence, like police reports, witness statements, damage photos, skid marks, and expert testimony from accident reconstruction professionals.

Need Help? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation!

Traffic camera footage or video proof from other sources aren’t the only ways to show what happened during the collision. Sometimes, the most crucial evidence isn’t even on video. At Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, we dig deeper. Our recent settlements prove that we can build strong car accident cases, whether it’s possible to obtain camera footage or not.

Not sure if your case would be successful without video from traffic cameras? Let’s talk about it. We’ll review your case for free and explain how we can help prove your rights to fair compensation. To receive expert legal help, contact our team today for a free consultation!