To get traffic cam footage of an Ohio truck accident, you must first find out if there is a camera recording traffic near your accident scene location. All requests for traffic cam footage for an Ohio truck accident must be made directly to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) or the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). You will also need to supply specific information, like any crossroads near the accident, and the date and time of your accident.
In Ohio, anyone in your accident can request to view traffic cam footage. This means an attorney or insurance provider for the negligent driver who caused your accident will request to view it as well.
Where Are Ohio Traffic Cams Located?
Many Ohio cities have photo-enforced traffic cameras and speed enforcement cameras to encourage safe driving, catch offenders, and help reduce crashes and deaths on their roads. Highways are the most popular location for them, but traffic cams are also located in many traffic lights in downtown areas where traffic is abundant.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio has 900-plus traffic cameras throughout the state. Viewers can get real-time traffic updates via the state’s OHGO page. You can visit the page to determine if the truck accident occurred in a location where there is an ODOT-controlled traffic camera.
Ohio’s abundance of traffic cams, however, does present a potential problem. Your request to ODOT to view footage may take quite some time. Also, according to ODOT’s website, the state agency does not guarantee that the camera equipment was set up in such a way as to record any crashes or incidents that occur. It also does not guarantee that the recording’s quality and accuracy will be enough for viewers to be able to tell vehicles apart or other details that may be captured in the footage.
Can I Request to See Traffic Cam Footage of My Ohio Truck Accident?
You may submit a traffic cam viewing request to ODOT. However, there is a time limit on how long the footage may be available. ODOT says footage older than 72 hours will likely not be available after that window. If you want to request footage, it helps to have the accident date and location where it occurred. You also will want to move as promptly as possible to secure the footage.
Our Ohio truck accident law firm may be able to handle this for you. An attorney can also request footage from police departments and other agencies in an Ohio city, which could store footage longer than a few days and manage this process for you.
If it is confirmed that traffic cam footage of an Ohio truck accident exists, an attorney can send a spoliation letter to the party that has it. This letter can include important information about the truck crash, such as its date, time, and location, and demand that the party preserve the footage for litigation purposes. Truck accident lawyer can also issue a subpoena for the footage if necessary.
Can Insurance Companies Obtain Traffic Cam Footage of My Truck Accident?
Your insurance company and that of the truck driver in your accident can request access to Ohio DOT traffic cam footage since it is public record. Both companies would likely want to view the footage to determine whether it supports the case for their client.
The footage may also be used to assign partial blame to you. If you are partially at fault, the insurance company could limit paying the full compensation your case would merit if the truck driver was solely negligent. Still, an injury attorney can fight for you and show how the other party’s liability was greater than yours. They can also demonstrate how you were not at fault at all based on the evidence in your case.
How Could Video Footage of an Ohio Traffic Cam Affect My Case?
The video footage from a traffic cam in Ohio may help or hurt your case. If the video shows that events unfolded differently from what you describe in your claim, the truck driver’s insurance company might be able to use that to dispute your claim’s validity.
However, traffic cam footage of your Ohio truck accident may also help your case. If you are accurate in your recollection of how the events unfolded, the video will serve as solid evidence in your favor. That evidence could challenge the other driver’s insurance company’s attempt to deny or limit your damages. When recounting your accident experience, be as accurate as you can. Avoid embellishing any facts about what happened.
To get traffic cam footage of an Ohio truck accident, you must first find out if there is a camera recording traffic near your accident scene location. All requests for traffic cam footage for an Ohio truck accident need to be made directly to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). You will also need to supply specific information, like any crossroads near the accident, and the date and time of your accident.
In Ohio, anyone in your accident can request to view traffic cam footage. This means an attorney or insurance provider for the negligent driver who caused your accident will request to view it as well.
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What If There Are No Ohio Traffic Cams Near My Accident?
Even if your accident was in an area with no Ohio traffic cams, there are still ways to get video footage. Other video sources include motor vehicles and security cameras. Motorcycle and big-rig truck drivers often have cameras in their vehicles. If your truck accident occurred near a company’s building, they may have security camera footage. Many homes also have security cameras that may pick up footage from the road.
In the past few years, personal dash cams have risen in popularity. When you are talking to witnesses in the immediate aftermath of your truck accident, be sure to ask if anyone has one of these devices.
Should I Get Ohio Traffic Crash Photographs?
If you cannot get video footage of your accident, you can still request a crash report and photographs from the Ohio State Patrol. It’s always a good idea to obtain these reports and photographs. Together with the traffic cam footage, you have a foundation for a strong case when the footage, photos, and report match your account.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, it is recommended that you wait seven business days after your truck accident to request crash reports and photographs from your accident. Accident reports and associated photos are available for five years.
An Ohio Personal Injury Law Firm Could Help Your Traffic Cam Footage Case
Dealing with the insurance company of the Ohio truck driver in your accident can be hard on you. The stress of the accident, added to the effort of working with the other driver’s insurance company, is challenging for many people.
The Fitch Law Firm LLC manages truck accident victims’ cases in Ohio. We can investigate your truck accident, gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and negotiate with the insurance companies for a favorable settlement. We will put our 30-plus years of experience to work to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.