Can Surveillance Footage Be Used as Evidence in a Hit-and-Run Injury Case?
After being involved in a car accident, evidence is one of the things you must have to support your claim, especially when pursuing compensation. Personal injury lawyers in Encino say surveillance footage is one of the most powerful forms of evidence. It can provide a clear record of the events leading to the accident and crucial details of what happened after.
If you or your loved one is a victim of a hit-and-run accident, don’t suffer alone in silence. You may not have information concerning the at-fault party, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any means of recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact skilled Encino car accident attorneys immediately to help you collect surveillance footage evidence.
What Types of Surveillance Footage Can I Obtain After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Car accident lawyers in Encino can obtain various surveillance footage to help them establish fault and support your claim. Some key types include the following:
Eye Witness Recordings
People who witnessed the hit-and-run accident may have recorded it on their smartphones. In addition to their statements concerning the accident, the recordings can provide a clearer perspective and add context to the incident.
That’s why it’s always advisable to obtain witnesses’ names and contact details at the accident scene before leaving. Request them to cooperate when your lawyers contact them, as doing so could help you obtain the justice you seek.
Security Cameras
Businesses and private properties near the road may have security cameras mounted to monitor their premises. If the accident was in a residential area, nearby security cameras may have captured the events. Your lawyers can contact the property owners or managers and formally request access to the relevant footage.
Business Surveillance Systems
Larger commercial properties often have sophisticated surveillance systems that could be valuable to your case. The cameras installed near the accident scene can provide your lawyers with a more diverse viewpoint and supplementary evidence. Obtaining the footage may be complex, but skilled lawyers know how to navigate it.
Street Cameras
Your lawyers could check footage from security cameras installed on street poles to monitor public spaces. The cameras can cover areas that traffic cameras don’t capture, providing additional angles and details on the events surrounding the accident. Your lawyers can submit a formal request to the responsible municipal authority to access the footage.
Traffic Cameras
Roads and intersections often have traffic cameras strategically positioned to monitor traffic flow. Footage from the cameras can help your car accident lawyers in Encino analyze the recordings to obtain an unbiased account of the accident by capturing the actions of the involved cars.
Understanding the different types of surveillance footage is essential to widening your evidence-collection options and strengthening your claim. Skilled lawyers will help you navigate the nuances of obtaining the evidence and advocate for your rights.
How Can Surveillance Footage Help Me Build My Case?
As your lawyers investigate the accident, surveillance footage can help them achieve the following to piece together a robust compensation claim:
- Establish the sequence of events: Surveillance footage can establish a clear sequence of events surrounding the accident. The chronology of events can provide an unbiased account of the point of impact, the speed of the cars, and other contributing factors.
- Verify eyewitness accounts: While eyewitness testimonies can be valuable, they can be subjective and influenced by an individual’s interpretation and opinion. Surveillance footage can be objective and impartial, corroborating or challenging a witness’s statements.
- Check for any conflicting narratives: Narratives about the accident can conflict as different people give their version of the events. Surveillance footage can help lawyers and other experts resolve any contradictory narratives.
- Determine fault: Based on the unbiased view of the accident, your lawyers can assess the at-fault driver’s behavior during the accident, such as running a red light, failing to yield, or tailgating.
- Enhance credibility in legal proceedings: If your personal injury claim proceeds to court, the credibility of the evidence you present is crucial. Surveillance footage boosts the overall credibility of your claim and can boost the chances of a favorable outcome.
Overall, your Encino car accident attorneys will be in a better position to create a strong claim to increase your chances of recovering a fair settlement.
What Are the Potential Limitations of Surveillance Footage?
Encino car accident lawyers say surveillance footage can be a crucial tool in hit-and-run accidents. However, it is not without limitations, especially in obtaining it. In some situations, accessing the footage may not be easy, especially if a private entity owns the camera.
Additionally, footage is often stored for a limited time, so it may not be available for long after an accident. Another challenge is that surveillance footage may not be clear or detailed enough, depending on the angle, time, and conditions under which it was recorded. Therefore, it may not provide the required details of the car responsible for the hit-and-run.
A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Explains the Role of Surveillance Footage in a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident can have devastating consequences, and it’s only fair to seek compensation for your losses. However, hit-and-run accident claims can be complex because you may not have details of the at-fault party. Surveillance footage can help you obtain these crucial details and deeper insights to support your case.
V&A Law Firm is a reputable law firm with skilled car accident lawyers in Encino. We understand how challenging this time can be when you’re trying to fight for your rights while recovering from your injuries, and we want to help you fight. Our attorneys can help you collect the necessary surveillance footage and other evidence to establish who was at fault for the accident. Call us at 818-369-3270 to schedule a FREE 15-minute case evaluation.