Whether you’ve been bitten by a dog, slipped and fell in a grocery store aisle, or been in a car accident or a motorcycle accident, you’re going to need proof in order to hold those responsible for your suffering accountable. Video is one of the most powerful tools possible to help you obtain that proof.
Here’s a look at just how powerful that evidence can be, and some of the different types of ways video could make or break a personal injury case. If you’ve suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, Sand Law is ready to help. Please give us a call at 701-609-1510 or use our online contact form to schedule a free review of your case.
Types of Video Footage That’s Used in Personal Injury Cases
Suppose you’re hurt in a car accident caused by a distracted, or otherwise negligent driver. You might not have any idea the wreck has been captured on video, but there are actually several ways this could happen. Here are just a few.
- Traffic cameras. There are a ton of traffic cameras in most urban locations. You probably see footage of them every morning during your local newscasts. Most major intersections have cameras as well. Your attorney can obtain that footage to help strengthen your case.
- Body cameras. Police officers will typically have cameras somewhere on their body that capture footage. When they come to the scene of an injury accident, these cameras can also produce vital evidence.
- Dash cameras. Police cars are also outfitted with cameras positioned on the dashboard. If a law enforcement vehicle was traveling behind traffic when the accident occurred, the footage may show who was to blame.
- Surveillance cameras. Even if your accident took place in a sparsely populated area, there’s a pretty good chance it happened somewhere in the proximity of a gas station, a restaurant or a convenience store. Businesses of all kinds use these cameras for security purposes, and one of these cameras might have captured the accident.
- Smartphones. Just about everybody has one of these. If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene. This could also help investigators determine what factors contributed to the collision.
What Types of Cases Can Video Evidence Help With?
No matter what kind of accident led to your injury, video evidence could very well make the difference between winning and losing your case. Here are just a few kinds of cases where video can be critical to your chances of success.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
We’ve already covered how important video can be in establishing responsibility for a vehicular accident. It could, for example, show that the other driver was speeding, and is therefore to blame for your injury. Motor vehicle accidents include:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents typically occur in congested areas such as city streets. If this is the case in your accident, we can almost guarantee some sort of camera showed exactly what happened. An intersection camera, for example, could have caught a driver running a red light and hitting you. Someone passing by might have even caught the accident on their phone.
Slip and Falls
Most property owners have security cameras inside and outside their stores and other types of businesses. These cameras are always running, so one of them very likely contains footage of your slip and fall accident. There could even be cameras on adjacent properties that caught the incident if it took place outside.
Medical Malpractice
You might think this form of negligence would typically be caught on camera, but many expectant parents want to capture the birth of a child on video. If something goes wrong during delivery, this video could help prove that negligence led to any sort of birth injury that might take place.
Nursing Home Abuse
There is no form of negligence worse than nursing home abuse. Elderly abuse should never be permitted in any circumstance – video proof of that abuse could be essential to making sure those responsible pay dearly. Minnesota is one of only eight states that allow cameras to be placed in the rooms of private nursing homes.
However, you should never set up a “nanny cam” or anything similar in a loved one’s room until you first speak with an attorney. There are still many gray areas regarding this area of the law, so you’ll need the guidance of a legal representative before you try to take this type of action.
How is Video Evidence Collected After an Accident?
If you’ve been in, for instance, an accident you believe was caused by a negligent truck driver, you may have taken video of the accident scene on your smartphone. While this will be very important to your case, it will show the aftermath of the accident. It won’t specifically show exactly what happened.
You know there were other cameras in the area that captured the wreck, but how can you go about obtaining the footage? If you’re seriously hurt, it might be impossible.
This is yet another area where an attorney’s help will be essential. Your legal representative will know how to approach any private businesses, as well as state and local governmental agencies operating cameras that caught the collision.
Videos Provide Solid Evidence for Your Case
The old saying, “A picture says a thousand words” is especially true when it comes to a personal injury case. Virtually no other form of evidence is as compelling as video. Skilled attorneys know how to use this evidence to convince insurance companies – and juries, if needed – that their clients have suffered horribly through no fault of their own.
Does Having Video Evidence Affect Your Compensation?
Not only do attorneys use video, insurance adjusters do as well. If you have compelling video on your side, an insurer will be much more likely to provide you with the full amount of compensation you deserve. Convincing video will remove all doubt, and make it much easier to achieve a full financial recovery.
Contact a North Dakota Personal Injury Attorney
Let a Sand Law attorney work on your behalf to obtain the video evidence needed for you to have the strongest possible case. Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510.