Video Footage in Personal Injury Cases
April 12, 2017 | By Colombo Law
We live in a day and age in which video recordings are a part of our everyday lives, for better or for worse. While it has the potential to help or hurt one side of a claim, or validate both sides, video footage has been extremely beneficial in personal injury cases. In fact, personal injury litigators frequently use video footage along with other types of evidence to help a victim of an accident or incident present a successful case. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident or incident and has questions about the use of video footage in a personal injury claim, contact an attorney at Colombo Law today for a no-risk initial consultation.
Benefits of Video Footage
There are several benefits of a personal injury claim having video footage. In personal injury cases, one of the essential elements of a claim requires the injured party to prove fault. Video footage is often extremely beneficial in proving fault as it provides an account of the cause of the accident or incident. This will give us crucial information as to how long a hazardous condition existed, whether a person’s actions were negligent or intentional, and allow for an inference of whether some action or inaction could have avoided the accident. In addition, it provides real time footage of the accident or incident itself.
Another benefit of video footage is that a security camera does not lie. It is easier for people to believe what they see with their own eyes, rather than relying on an account of what happened by multiple people with competing interests. This is why video footage is one of few top pieces of evidence in personal injury claims.
Types of Footage
Footage can be obtained from anywhere the footage has been recorded and held. We all know that video footage exists everywhere. There are several different places from which video footage can be obtained:
- Security footage: Most business have security footage within and outside the premises. This is done for a variety of reasons, one of which is to protect the business from security breaches.
- Dash cam videos: Many individuals have installed dash cams on their motor vehicles to provide an account of what happens in case of an accident. Dash cam videos are also installed on law enforcement vehicles and sometimes capture a statement by a witness immediately after the accident or incident.
- Cell phones: Video recordings on cell phone or social media accounts are also a great source of information. In fact, it is also a common source of video footage because of the ease of access in the event of an accident or incident. Social media evidence is already being used in other capacities. There will be a surge in social media with new advancements enabling users to post directly to their pages.
How to Obtain Video Footage
Obtaining video footage is sometimes a difficult undertaking. This is especially true if trying to obtain video footage from a business establishment or law enforcement. When you believe there is video footage that can provide beneficial information, it is important to notify your attorney of the possibility of its existence so that quick action may be taken to preserve the footage. An experienced attorney will follow the proper protocols to obtain this evidence. It just may be what is necessary to strengthen a case where success is difficult.
Contact Colombo Law
If you have been injured in a car accident or incident but are unsure of whether you have a personal injury claim, contact Colombo Law today for a risk-free initial consultation to get you or your loved one the assistance you need.
