Are you taking all the necessary steps after a car accident? Most people follow the basics of what to do after a car accident, but there are resources many people don’t use to their full advantage. Consider the prevalence of traffic and surveillance cameras for a moment. Did you know traffic cameras and video footage from nearby businesses could make all the difference in your personal injury case?
Learn more about the importance of obtaining traffic camera footage to help you get compensated for your accident injury claim.
Traffic Cameras In Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin has over 400 traffic cameras on state highways and the interstate system. In addition, larger towns cities around Metro-Milwaukee have cameras on some of the major thoroughfares. The government uses these cameras to monitor traffic and spot any problems.
Many businesses also have surveillance cameras that help reduce crime. If you’re in a car accident or collision on a main street or freeway there is a chance your crash was caught on one of these cameras, which will likely answer questions about who was at fault. But, these videos are only kept for a short time. For example, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation only keeps videos for 72 hours, unless a request is made by someone to preserve a specific video. Businesses will often keep video footage for up to a week or two before it is written over by newer video.
How to Request Traffic Camera Footage
While it is possible to request video footage yourself, it often proves to be time consuming and difficult. Determining who operates the camera, where the footage is stored and how to send files can be a hassle. Police are not required to tell you anything about traffic or security cameras in the area, so in many cases, it is up to you to determine what is available and from whom. Not to mention, there are a number of forms and information that must be processed to hand over video footage, so if you are recovering from an accident injury, you may want to have some help with this process. This is where a personal injury attorney can help you. Taking the time to contact a personal injury attorney immediately after your accident is essential to access and obtain traffic video footage from the scene of your accident.
An experienced Milwaukee lawyer will know where to locate traffic and surveillance cameras and how to obtain the footage quickly, before it is erased. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact an experienced attorney right away to help you through all the necessary steps needed to settle your car accident case.
For more than 30 years, our attorneys have been working diligently to help people in the Milwaukee-area who have been hurt or injured in car accidents to thoroughly prepare their cases so they receive favorable outcomes and maximum compensation.
At Murphy & Prachthauser we practice personal injury law the way it should be practiced – motivated and equipped to do our best for you. We take pride in being good lawyers who help people.
If you have a case that you would like to speak to a lawyer about, please contact us to get a free consultation and get an experienced team of lawyers working on your behalf.