Available 24/7
If you’ve been hurt badly in a car accident in Pensacola or elsewhere in Florida, you may be wondering if there’s any way to obtain traffic camera footage (or video footage from red light cameras) of the incident. You may be familiar with the live traffic feeds of I-10 and I-110 on Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Florida 511 and wondering if they captured your accident. You may also be wondering if this footage can be useful evidence in your case and how you can access traffic camera footage yourself.
The attorneys at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers have helped many people who have been injured in car accidents, and we know that obtaining traffic camera footage can be vital to a successful claim. We also know that the process of requesting this footage can be complicated and time-consuming. That’s why we’re here to help.
Here’s what you need to know about getting traffic camera footage of your Florida car accident.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Access Florida Traffic Camera Footage
Unlike ordering a Florida police report online, most traffic camera footage is not easily accessible to car accident victims, so the first step is to contact an experienced Pensacola car accident lawyer. When necessary, they can handle the process of obtaining traffic camera footage either from government owned cameras or a private party.
Will it help my case?
Your lawyer will also be able to tell you if the footage is likely to be helpful in your case. For example, if the footage clearly shows the other driver was at fault, it will be more useful than if the footage only shows the aftermath of the accident.
Public Records Requests
Your lawyer will also need to determine who owns the traffic cameras. For example, in Pensacola, some of the cameras are owned by the FDOT while others are owned by Escambia County or the City of Pensacola. This can affect which agency your lawyer needs to submit a public records request to.
In some cases, your lawyer may be able to access traffic camera footage without filing a public records request. For example, if the accident occurred near a business that has its own security cameras, your lawyer may be able to get the footage directly from nearby businesses.
How to Get Help from a Lawyer
If you’ve been seriously injured in an auto accident, don’t try to tackle the process of getting traffic camera footage on your own. The experienced car accident lawyers at Stevenson Klotz can help you every step of the way. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case, so contact us today to schedule yours.
What is traffic camera footage?
Traffic camera footage is video footage that’s captured by traffic cameras that are typically mounted on traffic lights or road signs. This footage can be useful in car accident cases as it can provide objective evidence of what happened.
Contact Us
If you have questions about traffic camera video and how it can be used to help your claim, contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers. Our experienced attorneys can help answer all your questions and set you on the path to a successful claim.
How can traffic camera footage be helpful in a car accident case?
Because Florida is a no-fault state, most drivers involved in an accident will submit a claim using their own PIP policy for the first $10,000.00 of medical coverage without needing to obtain traffic camera video as extra evidence to prove fault.
When a driver is so seriously injured by someone else’s negligence that their claims exceed the limits of their own personal injury protection (PIP) policy, they may seek additional damages in a third-party claim against the other driver’s insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Because the limits are so low, most people injured in car wrecks wind up making claims against the at-fault driver. In this instance, fault is important and traffic camera footage can provide objective evidence of what happened in the car accident.
What types of traffic camera footage can your lawyer obtain in Florida?
In Florida, your lawyer can typically obtain footage from government-owned red-light cameras and traffic monitoring cameras. This footage can be useful in catastrophic car accident cases when an injured victim’s damages exceed their PIP policy limits as it can provide evidence of the other driver’s negligence. Your attorney will typically need to submit a subpoena or an official request to obtain the government-owned footage.
Private Camera Footage
Your lawyer may also be able to request footage from private cameras if they captured the accident. If there is footage from private CCTV cameras, your attorney can request permission to access it by contacting the company or business that owns the devices. If necessary, they can also submit a subpoena to obtain it from a private party.
The attorneys at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the personal injury claim process and obtain the footage you need to support your case when you’ve been injured in a car wreck.
What if my attorney can’t gain access to traffic camera footage?
If your attorney is unable to gain access to traffic camera footage, they may be able to obtain video footage to use as a piece of evidence from other sources, such as security cameras or police dash cam footage.
In some cases, the court may also order the release of the footage if it’s determined to be necessary for the case.
Security Cameras
Security cameras or outdoor surveillance cameras are often located near traffic intersections and can provide helpful footage of car accidents. If your lawyer determines that footage from security cameras or surveillance cameras can help your case, they can request permission for obtaining footage by contacting the company or business that owns the device.
If necessary, they can also submit a subpoena to obtain it from a private party.
Police Dash Cams
In some cases, police officers who respond to car accidents will have dash cams that record footage of the incident and your lawyer may submit a request for this footage from your local police department.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash and want to know if you have a valid case, we can help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
How long does Florida keep traffic camera footage?
When it comes to accessing traffic camera footage it is important to act fast. Every municipality in Florida sets its own rules and guidelines for retaining the traffic footage. Some municipalities may record over their footage in as little as 24-48 hours.
Act Quickly to Preserve Evidence
This is why it’s very important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible to make a request for the records before they are erased. They can help build your case, gather evidence, and access traffic camera footage. Your lawyer can determine if there is video evidence that will help your case.
What if the traffic camera footage doesn’t show what happened in my car accident?
If the traffic camera footage doesn’t show what happened in your motor vehicle accident, don’t despair. There may be other types of evidence that can help to establish liability, such as witness statements or information included in the police report. Be sure to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you build the strongest possible case.
Can I get access to traffic camera footage if I’m not involved in a car accident?
In most cases, no. Video from traffic cameras is generally only released to people who are involved in car accidents or to their attorneys. However, there may be some exceptions depending on the circumstances, for example, if the footage is being used for a news story.
Public Traffic Camera Feeds on Florida 511
There are traffic camera feeds that are available to the public from the FDOT Florida 511 site. They cover the entire state including Escambia County. The system is Florida’s official source for traffic and travel information and it provides traffic info to drivers an average of 81,000 times each day. This includes information on traffic congestion, crashes, roadworks, and travel times on all interstates and toll facilities.
Why You Should Contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers for Help With Your Florida Car Accident Claim
After a car accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. The experienced Pensacola car crash attorneys at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers can help. We will guide you through the legal process, will investigate your case, and will gather evidence. We will also handle all the paperwork and negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
What to Expect from Us
After you’ve suffered debilitating injuries in a wreck, you probably have many questions and feel overwhelmed. But rest assured, here’s what you can expect from Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers:
- When you call or email us, you’ll get a response within one business day.
- We will keep you updated regularly on the progress of your case.
- You will be treated with the same level of respect as we would want to be treated.
- You will get our honest opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
- We will always be straightforward in our discussions with you about your case.
- We will help set realistic expectations about your claim.
Let Us Handle Your Case While You Heal
We will also handle all negotiations with the insurance company and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. This may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If necessary, we will take your case to trial.
Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured, contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Our personal injury law firm helps put lives back together. When you contact us, we will review the details of your case and help you understand your legal options.