When filing a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need different pieces of evidence to support your claim. If a nearby security camera happens to capture the accident, can you use the footage as evidence? How can you go about collecting the footage for your claim?
Learn more about the role of personal injury surveillance evidence, cases in which it may be useful, and more in this helpful guide.
Why Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer in San Jose, CA, After an Accident?
An unexpected accident can take a serious physical, emotional, and financial toll. Serious injuries may leave you with mounting medical expenses and prevent you from working, while your recovery could impact your mental well-being. With the help of a personal injury lawyer in San Jose, CA, you may be in a position to pursue compensation for your losses.
Attorneys advocate for clients who sustain injuries due to another party’s negligence. Experienced lawyers assist with filing a claim, gathering evidence for injury settlements, and, if necessary, representing their client in a trial. Having legal representation can provide peace of mind to overwhelmed individuals trying to navigate both injuries and a complex legal process.
Consider meeting with a lawyer after a car crash, slip and fall, or other accident to review your options.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Can Use Surveillance Evidence?
Personal injury surveillance could be applicable in several different cases, including:
- Car accident claims
- Struck cyclist or pedestrian cases
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Dog bites or attacks
Suppose a traffic accident occurs on a busy roadway lined with businesses, many of which have security cameras. If one of these cameras captures the crash and the events leading up to it, the plaintiff could potentially submit the footage as evidence supporting their claim.
What if someone slips and falls on a wet floor inside a supermarket? Interior cameras might clearly show the customer take a tumble, as well as whether there are any wet floor signs or warning people to use caution.
Even a dog bite incident that happens on private property may have personal injury surveillance footage available as possible evidence. Video doorbells could capture the event on film for further review.
Exploring the Impact of Surveillance on Accident Lawsuits
For plaintiffs who bear the burden of proof, using video evidence for injury claims could be incredibly helpful. Raw surveillance footage provides a visual account of the accident that may be open to interpretation. Other pieces of evidence, such as photos of the scene and witness statements, could also back up one’s claim.
Defendants may use personal injury surveillance footage to their advantage as well, depending on the circumstances. Some insurance companies may even launch a private investigation for personal injury cases in an attempt to refute the plaintiff’s claim. The evidence they collect could potentially impact the amount of damages the victim receives, if any.
For example, say someone claims an injury prevents them from working or doing prolonged physical activity. Then, a private investigator photographs and films them walking through a park seemingly without any pain. The insurer may use this evidence to justify extending a lower settlement offer.
How To Gather Surveillance Footage and Other Evidence
Let’s say you slip and fall in a store parking lot. While you’re still on the scene, take photos of your surroundings to document any hazardous conditions. If other people see you fall, ask for their contact information so they can provide a witness statement.
Don’t delay seeking medical care for any injuries. Your medical records will highlight the extent of your injuries and serve as additional evidence. After you meet with an attorney about filing a claim, you can explore the notion of collective surveillance evidence.
Legal teams can properly request camera footage from property owners and review it. If, for some reason, the footage is unavailable, lawyers focus on gathering witness statements and other pieces of evidence.
Contact Hann Law Firm for Legal Advice
When it comes to personal injury claims, it’s always a good idea to gather plenty of evidence. If you want to find out how personal injury surveillance could impact your case, reach out to Hann Law Firm today. We pride ourselves on representing injured clients and debunking myths about hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Our team, led by founding attorney James Hann, has experience handling various personal injury cases. Whether you’re looking to seek compensation after a car accident, slip and fall, or other accident, reach out to Hann Law Firm. Call (408) 755-9793 to schedule a free consultation.
