The Importance Of Video Surveillance Footage
In Proving A Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim
Video surveillance footage can play a critical role in proving the liability of the responsible parties in commercial vehicle accidents. Locating sources of video footage may present challenges, but our commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Miller Weisbrod Olesky possess the expertise and experience to identify and obtain footage from various cameras that may have captured the accident. We understand how to leverage this compelling evidence to your advantage.
Once you hire us, our commercial vehicle accident lawyers and in-house investigators will swiftly visit the accident site and the surrounding potential locations to determine if any surveillance cameras have recorded your motor vehicle accident. In case after case, we have utilized indisputable video surveillance footage from surrounding areas near the accident site to expose false statements made by commercial vehicle drivers to the police.
Where Accident Video Footage Be Found?
If you have been involved in a commercial motor vehicle accident, there is a high likelihood that the collision was captured by one or more cameras. Possible sources of footage include:
Dash Cams
Dash cams, which are mounted on dashboards, are increasingly prevalent in the trucking industry. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) companies have various types of dash cams installed in their vehicles:
- Four-way dash cams: Provide comprehensive coverage of the front, sides, and driver area of the truck
- Driver-facing dash cams: Record the driver's actions
- Forward-facing dash cams: Capture the view of the road ahead of the truck
Footage from truck dash cams may also favor your case. Additionally, more passenger car drivers are equipping their vehicles with dash cams, so it is worth exploring whether you or other motorists involved in the accident have captured video footage.
Traffic Cameras
Traffic cameras, installed on traffic lights and other areas of the road, continuously monitor traffic. While the use of photo-monitoring devices to prove traffic violations is prohibited in Texas, surveillance footage from traffic cameras can serve as evidence of fault in civil claims arising from commercial vehicle accidents and other crashes.
Surveillance Cameras
Security cameras are ubiquitous, ranging from doorbell cameras connected to homeowners' smartphones to comprehensive surveillance systems in commercial properties. If the camera is positioned appropriately, it may have captured video footage of your commercial vehicle accident, which can be valuable evidence for your case.
Police and Law Enforcement Body Cams
Using police and law enforcement body cams to capture statements of truck drivers and eyewitnesses during a truck accident can be an effective way to gather reliable and objective evidence. Body cams are small, wearable cameras that are typically attached to the uniforms or equipment of police officers and law enforcement personnel. They record audio and video footage of incidents from the perspective of the wearer.
To maintain the integrity of the evidence, it's fundamental to establish a clear chain of custody for the body cam footage. This involves properly handling and storing the recorded data to ensure it remains untampered and admissible in court.
Cell Phone Cameras
Nearly everyone nowadays carries a high-quality video camera in their pocket in the form of a cell phone. Witnesses to the accident might have recorded the events leading up to and during the crash. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Miller Weisbrod Olesky can utilize this footage, along with witness testimony, to strengthen your case.
Important Considerations
Two key factors to bear in mind are:
- (a) Video footage is time-stamped, so knowing the date and preferably the exact time of the accident is necessary to acquire the relevant footage.
- (b) Recordings are not stored indefinitely, and critical footage can get damage or be erased by trucking companies or others at any time.
Most surveillance cameras only hold data for a week at most.
If you have been injured in a CMV accident, you should seek legal representation from our commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Miller Weisbrod Olesky as soon as possible in order to maximize your compensation from all the liable parties.
Contact Miller Weisbrod Olesky
Our experienced attorneys take on even the largest commercial transportation companies and their insurance carriers. Our proven record of success in obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts for our injured clients speaks for itself.
If you were injured in an accident caused by an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, big rig, or any other commercial or municipal vehicle, we invite you to contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced trial lawyer.
Immediate investigation and swift legal action may be necessary to protect your rights. Miller Weisbrod Olesky represents commercial vehicle accident victims across the United States. To discuss your case in a free consultation, please call our offices toll free at 888.987.0005 or contact us by e-mail today.
