Having access to traffic camera footage can be beneficial in a car accident case as it presents factual evidence of the incident. Unlike relying on witness accounts, camera footage is not influenced by human memory and is not subject to personal biases or assumptions about what occurred.
Regrettably, the traffic cameras in Orangeburg do not keep recordings of their footage. Therefore, obtaining any footage of your accident from these public traffic cameras will be extremely difficult. Nevertheless, cameras from nearby private businesses and residences might have captured the incident, and we can request the owners of those cameras to share their footage with us.
Call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers today at (803) 451-4000 for a free case review with our Orangeburg car accident lawyers.
How Can I Get Footage of a Car Accident in Orangeburg, SC?
Traffic cameras are becoming more common in many states, as they are a useful tool to discourage dangerous driving. Although these cameras generally do not have video recording capabilities, they can take photos that might be used as evidence in a legal case. However, South Carolina is among the states that have laws prohibiting the use of speed or red-light cameras. As a result, there are no cameras installed in Orangeburg that could potentially capture footage of an accident. The South Carolina Department of Transportation does operate live traffic cameras on state highways, but the recordings are typically overwritten quickly and not kept for later use.
Traffic citations cannot be issued through the use of cameras, as per S.C. Code Ann. § 56-7-35(B)(4), regardless of whether the camera is monitored by an officer or installed at a location. However, the Town of Orangeburg has its own complex traffic camera system in place, which includes cameras. Generally, these cameras do not automatically record and save traffic footage, except for cases involving a crime. The Orangeburg police do not regularly have access to this footage, and there is generally no saved footage available for most situations. Nevertheless, there might be other types of footage that could prove useful in your case.
Our South Carolina car accident lawyers can assist you in investigating your case to determine if any footage of your accident is available. There are currently various types of private cameras that can capture footage of an accident. It is worth noting that video footage that supports the testimony of a law enforcement officer who personally witnessed an offense, such as video footage from the officer’s body or dash camera, is not prohibited by law. Private individuals and businesses own and operate many of these cameras in addition to municipal cameras. If the footage is in the possession of a third party, you will need to collaborate with that individual or business to obtain it.
Can I Use Dashcam Footage of a Car Accident in Orangeburg, SC?
Drivers commonly use dashboard cameras to protect themselves from liability and provide evidence in car accident cases. If you have a camera installed in your car, it can serve as excellent evidence. If not, there might still be a dashcam that captured the accident, which we can attempt to obtain footage.
If a witness stopped and reported having caught the accident on video, we can obtain their contact information from the police report and inquire about the camera footage. If a witness approaches you claiming to have seen the accident or recorded it, gather their contact info and follow up (or have your lawyer do it) regarding the camera footage in the days following the accident.
If the responsible driver had a dashcam, we could subpoena that video as evidence. During the discovery stage of your case, our lawyers can use the court’s subpoena power to demand that the defense turn over evidence in their possession, including any camera footage they have. While dashcams can protect drivers in case they get sued, video evidence can also prove their fault.
Police cars come equipped with dashcams, and many officers also have bodycams. These cameras are usually on, and whenever a police officer is responding to an accident, their dashcam should be activated. While they might not have video of the crash itself unless the camera was pointed at the accident, the dashcam might have captured evidence when the police officer arrived at the scene of the crash. We can potentially request this footage for use in your case.
Can I Use Cell Phone Footage of an Orangeburg, SC Car Accident in My Case?
Nowadays, many people have a high-quality camera in their pocket: their cell phone. However, most individuals do not begin recording traffic accidents until after the collision. In rare cases, someone nearby might have captured the accident through video and reported it to the police. If this is the case, we can use the video evidence as we would any other photo or video of the accident.
If you happen to have a video of the aftermath of the crash, it can be beneficial. Such footage can show the location of the vehicles, the damage done, the injuries sustained, and the parties involved in the accident. It should not be overlooked as helpful evidence just because the recording began after the accident.
Can I Get Private Security Camera Footage for a Car Accident in Orangeburg, SC?
Although public traffic cameras do not provide saved footage for car accident victims, numerous other cameras throughout the city could have captured the incident. Security cameras are increasingly popular for private use, with more and more homes and stores installing them every day. Whether it is doorbell cameras, Wi-fi security systems, or traditional security cameras, it is always possible that your accident was caught on camera.
Our lawyers can reach out to homes and stores near the accident location and inquire about any security cameras they might have. If they do, we can send letters requesting that they preserve and save the video in case it is needed as evidence later in your case.
Due to storage limitations, security camera footage is typically erased quickly. Therefore, it is crucial to act promptly. If you delay calling a lawyer and initiating your case, the camera footage could be erased in a matter of days. It is essential to contact our lawyers as soon as possible after an accident to begin collecting evidence.
Our Orangeburg, SC Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
For a free case evaluation with our Orangeburg personal injury attorneys, call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
