If you have been injured in a car accident on Long Island, it may be beneficial to obtain traffic camera footage to help prove fault. However, getting access to this type of evidence can be tricky unless you have a car accident lawyer on your side who has experience dealing with different government agencies and can cut through the red tape to secure the footage you need for your case.
There are several different types of cameras that can record traffic incidents and accidents, including police surveillance cameras, toll plazas, red light and traffic cameras. While these cameras are often helpful in proving fault in a car accident, it is important to understand that these devices were never designed as security cameras and are only used for law enforcement and traffic management purposes.
One of the most common sources of video from traffic incidents is other drivers’ dash-cams and cell phone videos that were taken by onlookers at the scene of the crash. If you have these, it is possible to subpoena the owner of the device to ask for the videos.
Another way that you can obtain traffic camera footage is by contacting the business or entity near where the crash happened. Though these businesses are under no obligation to provide this video, they are more likely to comply if you are willing to ask for it yourself and pay for a subpoena if necessary.
