You may access traffic camera footage in Massachusetts by submitting a request through the Department of Transportation (MassDOT). In some cases, you may need to identify the police department in the city or county that manages the cameras to get the footage you need.
A Boston car accident lawyer can take over the process of accessing this footage for you after a collision. An attorney can also determine if the footage represents evidence for your car accident claim and can help with other aspects of the legal process.
Learn How to Access Massachusetts Traffic Camera Footage
Accessing footage from traffic cameras can prove complicated. The professionals recommend that you allow your car accident attorney to handle this process. Legal professionals may access this footage from:
The Police Department
Your attorney may request footage from a traffic camera from the police department serving the town or city where an accident occurred. A lawyer may get this information by submitting a Freedom of Information Act request through an online public record form (or portal) or by emailing the police department.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
Your lawyer may also submit a public records request to the Department of Transportation to get traffic camera footage. You can learn more about how to access traffic camera footage in Massachusetts by contacting a legal professional today.
How Long Do You Have to Access Traffic Camera Footage?
The time available to request traffic camera footage can vary. In most cases, MassDOT only stores this information for a limited time. For example, the agency may only keep recordings for 30 days.
MassDOT may keep traffic camera footage for a longer period if it relates to an open criminal investigation. However, the professionals recommend that you work with an attorney to request the footage immediately after a crash to have a better chance of securing it.
Why Access Massachusetts Traffic Camera Footage?
Footage from a traffic camera can serve as evidence in the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision. An attorney may use this footage to show another driver’s actions before a crash, potentially establishing the driver’s fault for the accident.
However, these cameras often record only small portions of the road and may not completely show the collision. For example, a traffic camera may show someone running a red light but miss the driver striking another vehicle.
Therefore, your lawyer may explore other options to investigate and determine fault in your car accident claim.
Traffic Camera Footage May Help You Get Compensation
Your attorney may use footage from a traffic camera to establish fault after a crash, allowing you to file a claim for fair compensation. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for money to pay for:
- Pain that prevents you from going about your daily life
- Emotional suffering and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium and loss of companionship
- Current and long-term medical expenses
- Lost pay and reduced earning potential
Your lawyer can monitor all the losses you sustain in a crash and add them together to build a claim on your behalf.
Other Evidence Used After a Collision
Your attorney can collect additional evidence after a motor vehicle accident. Depending on your circumstances, a lawyer may focus on:
- Canvassing local businesses for footage from surveillance cameras
- Getting statements from all eyewitnesses
- Acquiring a copy of the official police report
- Collecting any photos taken of the collision
You can make it easier for your attorney to collect all relevant evidence by taking pictures of your injuries, writing down everything that happened, and getting contact information from eyewitnesses.
Can Traffic Camera Footage Help You Get Compensation?
A lawyer may utilize traffic camera footage when building your personal injury claim after a car accident. If the footage shows the at-fault party causing a collision, it may help you secure the compensation you need to cover all of your losses.
Your attorney may supplement the footage from a traffic camera with other evidence and then help you resolve your claim through:
Insurance Negotiations
You can rely on your attorney to negotiate with the insurance company that represents the driver responsible for your collision. In many cases, a lawyer can push the insurance company to provide a settlement offer that fairly covers all your expenses.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit
The insurance company may refuse to negotiate or ignore the full extent of your losses. In this situation, your attorney may focus on suing the party responsible for the collision that resulted in your injuries.
Talk to Us About Access Massachusetts Traffic Camera Footage
Are you wondering how to access traffic camera footage in Massachusetts? An attorney from our team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers may access this footage through MassDOT or a local police department.
We can handle evidence collection for you after a crash. We can guide you through each part of the legal process as part of our Stone Cold Guarantee®. You can learn more about your options with a risk-free initial consultation.
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