Was Your Car Accident Caught On-Camera?

Today, cameras are everywhere. In fact, you would probably be surprised by the number of video cameras that catch your commute on a daily basis. How easy is it to obtain a copy of this footage?

We have all seen them around: video cameras along highways, at red lights, toll plazas, and even on buses. There are many reasons why these cameras exist (e.g., law enforcement, monitoring traffic congestion, number plate recognition), understand that the entities which own the cameras are not in the business of finding and providing this footage to the general public, so the ease with which one can retrieve this kind of evidence generally depends on a number of factors.

Getting Traffic Camera Video

First thing you will want to take into consideration is the possible different sources of video. This greatly depends on where your accident occurred.

• Were you at an intersection equipped with red light cameras?
• Were you on a highway or major thoroughfare?
• Were there any nearby businesses which may have outdoor surveillance cameras?
• If you are uncertain, look up the location on GoogleMaps >StreetView and consider all possibilities.

Traffic Cameras & Red Light Cameras

 

When it comes to highway traffic cameras and red light cameras, your chances of obtaining a copy of the video without the help of an attorney are very slim. You are most-likely going to be dealing with a number of public and private entities that have specific requirements when it comes to releasing video footage. Some highway traffic cameras are owned by TxDOT while others are owned by the toll authority. Click here for a map of State-owned traffic cameras.

There is no harm in asking for a copy of the video. Keep in mind that it is possible that your request will be denied because they are not obligated to do so, and because they do not want to put the man-hours into tracking down the relevant portion of video.

If you have an attorney, let them know of this potential piece of evidence as soon as possible. Your attorney can issue a subpoena seeking the release of the video footage, but it is important to act as soon as possible because these cameras often erase old data after a certain period of time.

Private Business Surveillance Cameras

 

If you think that your car accident was captured by a CCTV(Closed-Circuit Television) surveillance camera located on private property (e.g., Walmart, Grocery Store, Gas Station, etc.), you stand a better chance of finding someone who is willing to help. Private businesses also have no obligation to provide this footage to you without a subpoena, but a friendly request can go a long way.

Some businesses and larger stores have strict rules on how and when they share this video, and if you run into a roadblock, discuss your options with an experienced car accident lawyer.

Dash Cams & Other Sources

Most police cruisers are now equipped with dash cams, but personal dash cams have also become increasingly popular. Be sure to ask any witnesses to the accident if they had a dashboard camera recording. Many people have stumbled across footage of their accident uploaded to YouTube a few days after the incident.

If you believe the car crash was caught on a nearby police car’s dash cam, you may have to jump through a few hoops in order to obtain the video footage.

You will need the following:

• Officer(s) name
• Badge number(s)
• Incident report number (police on-site of the accident will have this information)
• Write a letter explaining your intent, and then send it to the related precinct

It is important to note that police dash cams and bus cameras are not always recording. Due to limited resources, it is not uncommon for these entities to record over older footage. This is why it is very important to act fast when attempting to obtain this vital evidence.

Contact Miller Weisbrod

If you were injured in a car crash, speak with a Dallas Car Accident Attorney for free. The attorneys at Miller Weisbrod are happy to speak to you about your potential case free of charge.

By hiring an attorney, you are ensuring that you have the best chance at a successful outcome. At Miller Weisbrod, our attorneys will make sure you are not taken advantage of, and will handle your claim from beginning to end. When it comes to car crashes, time is of the essence. Getting in touch with a good accident attorney from the beginning will go a long way in gathering relevant evidence, proving negligence, demonstrating the true value of your case, and winning compensation. Call us today at 1-888-987-0005 for your free consultation.

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Filing a Business Interruption Insurance Claim?

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses, both small and large, have been forced to close and/or suspend operations. For years, these businesses have faithfully paid their insurance premiums in order to have business interruption insurance coverage to protect them from losses. These premiums were happily paid because it meant peace of mind for the businesses in knowing that, if something out of their control forced them to close or suffer economic losses, they would be protected.

Now that the time has come for the insurance companies to stand up and cover the losses resulting from the business interruption caused by this virus, the almost universal response has been to either deny the claim or delay in responding to the claim.



Miller Weisbrod is actively reviewing potential claims against these insurance companies for either wrongfully denying or unreasonably delaying the payment of claims under business interruption insurance policies. We understand that, under the current economic climate, both small and large businesses cannot afford to pay attorneys by the hour, so we are taking these cases on a pure contingency basis in order to avoid further economic losses to these businesses.

So if you know a client, friend or family member involved in a business that has been severely affected by the Cornavirus pandemic, be it a restaurant, bar, retail, hotel or any other business similarly affected, contact us today and let us review the applicable insurance policies to see if we can help recover for losses sustained during this crisis.

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Miller Weisbrod, LLP is a national law firm specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Partners Clay Miller and Les Weisbrod have built the firm’s reputation with successful verdicts, settlements, appeals and favorable decisions across the country. With resources and finances available to take on the powerful interests that have caused harm, the firm is committed to providing quality representation for clients who are seriously injured and families of victims who are killed as a result of the negligence or misconduct of others. Miller Weisbrod has offices in Dallas and affiliate offices in Houston and Austin. For more information call (214) 987-0005 or visit www.millerweisbrod.com

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Toyota and Honda recall 6 million vehicles over faulty air bags

DETROIT (AP) — Two different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over 6 million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the U.S. made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when air bags didn’t inflate. U.S. safety regulators are investigating.

Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

If you were severely injured or a loved has tragically died in an accident where the airbag did not deploy on a Toyota or Honda vehicle, we invite you to call Miller Weisbrod at 214.987.0005to discuss your rights and legal options with an experienced trial lawyer.

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