Can I Obtain Traffic Camera Video of a Car Accident in Georgia?
Getting into a car accident is not something anybody wants to experience. However, when an incident occurs that was caused by another driver’s careless or negligent actions, you or your Atlanta car accident attorney will want to use all available evidence in order to prove the other driver’s liability. Georgia has an extensive traffic camera network in place the continuously monitors roadway conditions. You can view live stream footage are these cameras through your computer or an app on smartphones, and these cameras help show current traffic conditions. They also allow local and state officials to properly monitor traffic flows.
However, obtaining data from these cameras in the aftermath of a car accident is generally not possible. Here, we want to talk about the obstacles in place when it comes to obtaining traffic cam footage in the aftermath of a Georgia car accident.
How often do car accidents occur in Georgia?
During the latest reporting year in this state, there were approximately 400,000 vehicle crashes. We know that these incidents lead to 1,504 traffic deaths and that many more injuries occurred as a result. These incidents lead to major medical expenses for victims. In the aftermath of a car accident that is caused by another person’s negligence, you will want to gather any information that proves the other party’s negligence.
What does the state say about disseminating this footage?
When we turn to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s website regarding their traffic cams, we can see that they make it clear that they do not record any of the traffic cam footage, and they will not provide any footage that is requested.
This can be frustrating for car accident injury victims. However, the GDOT is adamant that the storage and manpower that would be needed to satisfy all requests would be cost-prohibitive to the department.
Alternatives to traffic camera footage
Even though car accident victims in Georgia may not be able to secure traffic camera footage, that does not mean they are out of luck when it comes to securing evidence altogether. There are several other types of camera footage that could be available. This could include:
- Private business surveillance video: Businesses near an accident location may have cameras that saw the incident. Typically, businesses store this footage for a certain amount of time before it gets deleted.
- Footage from home security cameras: More and more, we are finding that personal residences have doorbell cameras (Ring cameras) or other security devices that record what happens on the street in front of the location.
- Personal dash cameras: Many people have dash cams inside of their vehicles that record what goes on around the vehicle. This footage could capture an accident and be useful to prove liability.
Aside from camera footage, your attorney will also work to gather other evidence necessary to prove liability in order to secure the compensation you need. This could include photos taken at the scene of the crash, eyewitness statements, police reports, and more. It is important to understand the insurance carriers are not on your side, and they will do what they can to lower the amount of money they pay you in a settlement, even if you are not at fault for the incident. Your attorney will work to ensure you are treated fairly and that you secure maximum compensation for what happened.