Can You Get Street Camera Footage to Use in Your Car Accident Claim?
Every day in this country, more and more cameras go up, and the footage they capture often helps resolve car accidents and other personal injury claims. South Carolina, however, is one of the few states in the nation that doesn’t allow speed and red-light cameras, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t other cameras out there that may have captured valuable information for your car accident claim. If you’ve suffered an injury due to another driver’s negligence, turn to an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney for the help you need.
Red Light and Speed Cameras Are Prohibited in South Carolina
Many states use traffic cameras along highways and at intersections to help keep dangerous driving to a minimum. These cameras generally capture a series of single photos, and insurance companies often turn to them when addressing claims while claimants often use them as a means of building stronger claims. South Carolina, however,
is one of the few states that doesn’t allow speed or red-light cameras as a matter of law.
Ultimately, traffic and red-light cameras can’t be used to issue traffic citations – even when they are attended by an officer of the law – in the State of South Carolina. As such, insurance companies and claimants in South Carolina can’t obtain traffic camera footage.
Where Footage May Be Obtained
While South Carolina doesn’t allow traffic-based cameras, there are other sources from which insurance companies and claimants can seek footage. For example, the law doesn’t stop the use of footage that backs up the testimony of a police officer who witnessed an offense themself, such as footage from the bodycam they were wearing or from the dashcam in their vehicle.
Additionally, some cities and municipalities are installing high-resolution cameras of their own. The footage they produce could potentially be used to support your car accident claim.
Cameras Are Everywhere
It’s a fact of life that virtually every person who witnesses a traffic accident has a portable camera in their hand, and a lot of them use these devices – their smartphones – to capture critical evidence that can make or break claims. In fact, eyewitness testimony – as backed up by photographic footage – is an important source of evidence in many car accident claims. Other examples include:
- Security cameras on homes in the vicinity of the accident
- Security cameras on businesses in the vicinity of the accident
- Dashcams in cars that were nearby at the time of the accident
Your determined car accident attorney will ensure that all the available footage in support of your claim is located and used to its fullest advantage.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced South Carolina Car Accident Attorney Today
The knowledgeable South Carolina car accident attorneys at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC have reserves of experience building strong car accident claims that incorporate photographic evidence in support of favorable outcomes that serve our clients well. We’re here for you, too, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us online or call 864-301-8767 for more information about what we can do to help you today.