The Role of Surveillance Footage in Proving Fault in Auto Accidents

After a car accident, one of the most critical questions to answer is: Who is at fault? Determining liability can be complex, especially when there are conflicting accounts of what happened. 

Video evidence is a powerful tool to clarify the events before, during, and after the crash—if it can be gathered quickly enough. If you were involved in an accident, you need to be aware of the locations where surveillance footage can be found and why you’ll need the help of a Kern County auto accident lawyer to help obtain this footage when it is most needed.

The Power of Using Video to Prove Liability in Bakersfield Accidents

Video evidence is increasingly important in the modern legal landscape, as it provides an objective, visual representation of events that can either corroborate or dispute witness testimony. These recordings either support a claim for damages or demonstrate the need for a more thorough investigation if the footage contradicts one party’s account of the accident.

Depending on where the camera is placed, it could capture a wide area of the surrounding streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and intersections, showing details that could have been left out of witness statements and police reports. 

The larger the field of view, the easier it is to see the sequence of events leading up to the crash. Video footage can show the actions before—and the precise moment of—the collision, allowing for an accurate understanding of how the accident occurred.

How Traffic Cameras Can Help Prove Fault

The footage from traffic cameras can be invaluable in proving fault in a car accident case, particularly from:

1. Red Light Cameras and Intersection Coverage

Many cities in California use automatic cameras to capture vehicles that run red lights. These cameras take photos or video of vehicles violating traffic laws at intersections. In an accident involving a car that ran a red light, the footage from these cameras can clearly show the driver’s violation, establishing their liability in the accident.

2. Surveillance of High-Traffic Areas

Many of California’s busiest highways, such as the 405 Freeway or the I-5, have continuous traffic surveillance. These cameras can show whether a driver was speeding, failed to yield, or engaged in other negligent behaviors leading up to the crash. In cases where the accident occurs in a busy area with heavy traffic, this footage can demonstrate how the drivers in the case interacted with other vehicles on the road.

3. Dash Cam Integration

In addition to fixed traffic cameras, many law enforcement officers or emergency responders use dashboard cameras to capture traffic-related incidents. Dash cam footage can be crucial in documenting the aftermath of a crash and can provide a detailed view of events leading up to the accident.

Building and Storefront Surveillance Cameras as Video Evidence

In addition to traffic cameras, building surveillance systems can also be valuable sources of video evidence. Many businesses and commercial buildings are equipped with surveillance cameras that monitor the exterior of their premises. 

The footage from these systems can provide essential details, such as:

1. Wide-Angle Views

Building surveillance cameras are often positioned at strategic points like entrances, exits, or corners. These cameras can record a broader view of traffic and pedestrians around the area, capturing accidents from different angles that traffic cameras may miss. 

For example, a store located at the corner of an intersection may have a surveillance system that captures the flow of traffic on multiple streets, helping to establish which driver had the right of way.

2. Capturing the Scene

Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, such as convenience stores, gas stations, or shopping malls, can show how drivers were behaving prior to the crash. Did one of the drivers seem distracted? Were both drivers following the traffic signals? These are questions that surveillance footage can answer by providing real-time video evidence of the incident.

3. Proving Conditions and Environment

Building surveillance cameras can document external factors, such as weather conditions, road hazards, and obstacles, that could have contributed to the accident. For instance, if a driver attempted to make a prohibited turn and collided with another vehicle, a nearby camera could show the “No Turns” sign was blocked by overgrown foliage.

Potential Surveillance Camera Locations in California

These days, it’s hard to find a location without a camera pointed in your direction. Some of the most common places where video evidence can be obtained include:

• Parking lots and garages. Commercial parking areas, such as those at shopping malls, airports, and office buildings, often have surveillance cameras that cover the entire lot.
• Gas stations and shopping centers. Many gas stations and convenience stores have exterior cameras to monitor the pumps, while large retail chains and shopping malls commonly have surveillance systems at their entrances and exits.
• Public transportation stations. Bus stops, train stations, and metro stations often have cameras with a view of surrounding roads.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney to Collect Video Evidence After a Crash

While video footage can be critical in proving fault in a car accident case, obtaining this footage may be difficult. A business’s surveillance cameras are controlled by private entities, and traffic camera evidence of Bakersfield car crashes belongs to government agencies. These parties rarely release footage to the public. Furthermore, surveillance systems may only retain footage for a limited time, making it crucial to act quickly after an accident.

An experienced attorney can navigate these challenges more effectively than an individual by:

• Identifying potential footage. Lawyers familiar with the local area and accident hotspots can quickly pinpoint where surveillance footage might exist.
• Requesting video evidence. Attorneys know the correct legal procedures for obtaining video footage, such as sending formal requests to property owners or government agencies.
• Ensuring preservation. Lawyers can act swiftly to ensure that video evidence is preserved before it’s overwritten or deleted, especially if the footage is time-sensitive.
• Leveraging legal channels. If necessary, a lawyer can use subpoenas or other legal mechanisms to compel the release of video footage.

Contact Us Today

If you think your accident may have been captured on video, don’t wait. The Bakersfield personal injury lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark stand ready to advise you on your claim. 

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.