How To Get Traffic Camera Footage of Your South Carolina Car Accident
Evidence can help you build a strong case for the compensation you deserve
When serious car accidents occur in South Carolina, there's sometimes valuable video footage captured by traffic cameras that document the collision. If you've sustained injuries in a car wreck, obtaining a copy of this footage can serve as crucial evidence to support your claim.
Having this visual evidence can help establish fault and liability with undeniable clarity. It serves as a compelling tool to counter any attempts by the at-fault driver's insurance company to downplay or deny your claim. Video footage provides an objective account of the events leading up to the collision, leaving little room for dispute or manipulation.
Unfortunately, obtaining access to traffic camera video can be exceptionally challenging for crash victims who are recovering from severe injuries. This is where our experienced Lexington, SC car accident attorneys at Johnson + Johnson, Attorneys at Law, can step in to assist. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck in South Carolina, don't hesitate to contact us to see how we can help with your potential legal case.
Are traffic cameras legal in South Carolina?
Unlike many states, South Carolina has strict regulations concerning the utilization of traffic camera footage. Notably, the issuance of speeding tickets solely based on such footage is prohibited in accordance with South Carolina General Statute 56-7-35(A)(4).
Furthermore, South Carolina distinguishes itself by not granting insurance companies access to visual data from red light traffic cameras, intersection cameras, and similar sources. It is worth noting that the state does not even permit the presence of red light traffic cameras by law. Nevertheless, alternative forms of video documentation of your wreck may be available, offering the potential to substantiate fault attributed to the responsible party.
What type of camera footage is available for my car accident?
Even if access to official traffic camera footage is unavailable for your car accident, there may still be viable options at your disposal. The circumstances surrounding your accident's time and location may yield various forms of video documentation, such as:
- Dash cam video footage from your vehicle, the other driver's car, or even a different dash cam-equipped vehicle.
- Cellphone footage captured by eyewitnesses, bystanders, or a passenger.
- Surveillance camera footage from businesses situated near the accident scene.
- Police video footage recorded by the responding officer or state trooper.
- Video records obtained from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or medical professionals treating your car accident injuries.
How do I get traffic camera footage of a car accident?
To access various types of traffic camera footage after a wreck, you might find yourself contacting different parties, including government agencies, individuals, and businesses, such as:
- Your local police department, particularly if the responding officer captured traffic camera footage at the scene.
- The South Carolina Highway Patrol if a state trooper responded to the crash.
- Individuals who recorded your accident on their cellphones or dash cams.
- Businesses with security cameras that may have recorded surveillance video of your collision.
- Hospitals that may have captured video footage while diagnosing your accident-related injuries.
Sometimes there may be references to accident footage in your official South Carolina car accident report prepared by the responding police officer or state trooper. Additionally, an eyewitness might have recorded the incident, or the investigating officer might have taken footage. A car accident attorney can carefully investigate and demand access to such video evidence before it’s overwritten or destroyed.
How long is traffic camera footage stored?
Deadlines for retaining video footage of car accidents in South Carolina are often not standardized across various businesses, government agencies, or individuals. Unfortunately, there is usually no stringent requirement compelling them to preserve this crucial evidence for a specific duration.
This lack of regulation means that those in possession of traffic camera footage could potentially delete or erase the recordings shortly after the incident, sometimes within just a few days or sooner.
Our car accident lawyers know how to investigate crashes
At Johnson + Johnson, Attorneys at Law, we are committed to helping crash victims navigate the legal process and securing vital evidence to establish fault. If you've been injured in a serious crash, our car accident attorneys are here to guide you through every step, ensuring your rights are protected and your case is thoroughly represented.
In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no fees unless we win your case. Get the law firm that gets results for accident victims in South Carolina. Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a Lexington, SC car accident attorney you can count on when you need help the most.
