Mike Hancock is the founder of Hancock Injury Attorneys, a former insurance defense attorney, and an AV-Preeminent–rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, with over 35 years of experience practicing personal injury law.
Many people assume that if an accident happened in a public place, there will always be video available to prove what occurred. Attorney Mike Hancock explains that while surveillance footage can be some of the strongest evidence in a personal injury claim, it often disappears much sooner than people realize.
Surveillance Footage Can Disappear Before You Know It
Whether your accident happened at a busy intersection, a grocery store, a parking lot, or another public location, there is a good chance a camera captured the incident. Traffic cameras, business security systems, and surveillance equipment record countless events every day.
However, these systems typically overwrite or delete footage within days or a week because storing large amounts of video is expensive. This creates a race against time.
The longer you wait to investigate your injury claim, the greater the chance that valuable evidence will be permanently lost. Once surveillance footage is deleted, it may be impossible to recover, making it much harder to prove how the accident happened or who was responsible.
Why Surveillance Footage is Important to Injury Claims
Insurance companies often look for reasons to question an injury claim. Without clear evidence, they may dispute liability, argue that the accident occurred differently than you describe, or minimize the seriousness of your injuries. Surveillance footage can provide an objective account of the incident, helping establish exactly what happened and supporting your version of events.
Taking prompt action after an accident to get surveillance footage can make a significant difference in the strength of your case. Early legal intervention allows important evidence to be identified and requested before it is erased. Preserving surveillance footage can be one of the most effective ways to protect your right to pursue fair compensation.
How Can an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
An experienced personal injury attorney knows where valuable surveillance footage may exist and how to act quickly to preserve it. From requesting footage from businesses to identifying nearby traffic or security cameras, an attorney can investigate potential sources of evidence before it is lost.
Legal representation also helps level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies. Your attorney can gather evidence, establish liability, and communicate with insurers on your behalf. They will also work to maximize the compensation available to you, which can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
Take Action Today: Protect Your Rights After an Accident
If you've been injured in an accident, don't wait to seek legal guidance. Important surveillance footage may only be available for a short time. Call Hancock Injury Attorneys at 813-915-1110 today to review your case and help preserve the evidence that could strengthen your claim before it's too late.
Video Transcript
There's a really good chance that your accident was captured on camera. Now, the challenge is actually finding that video evidence. From intersection traffic cameras to grocery store surveillance, security cameras, most places you go in public have some sort of recording going on.
But storing data gets expensive fast. And in turn, these cameras typically delete footage a week or even sooner after it's been recorded. The faster you request the evidence, the higher the likelihood you have to actually receiving the footage.
After your accident, don't hesitate to get legal assistance. Contact Hancock Injury Attorneys today so we can review your case and find any video evidence that can help strengthen it before it's too late.
I'm Mike Hancock with Hancock Injury Attorneys. We represent people throughout the state of Florida. We're located in Tampa and also represent people throughout the Tampa Bay region.
FAQs
How long do businesses keep surveillance footage?
Many businesses keep surveillance recordings for a few days or about a week before the system automatically records over older footage. Every property has different retention policies, so acting quickly is important.
Can surveillance footage help prove who caused my accident?
Yes. Surveillance footage can provide an unbiased view of how an accident occurred and may help establish fault when liability is disputed.
What if I don't know whether my accident was recorded?
An experienced attorney from Hancock Injury Attorneys can investigate the area, identify nearby cameras, and determine whether surveillance footage may be available before it is deleted.
Should I contact an attorney immediately after an accident?
Prompt legal assistance can help preserve important evidence, including surveillance footage, while it is still available. Early action often strengthens your ability to pursue fair compensation. Call Hancock Injury Attorneys at 813-915-1110 to schedule your free case consultation today.