If you were injured in an Alabama car crash, securing surveillance camera footage or traffic camera videos of a car accident in Alabama could be the difference between a fair payout and a preventable claim denial.
Video footage can get deleted or overwritten quickly, and the window to preserve it is narrow, so swift action is essential. Here is what you can do right now to protect your claim:
- Note the location. Write down the exact intersection, the names of nearby businesses, and the locations of any visible cameras near the scene.
- Photograph the scene. Take photos of any cameras you can see from the road.
- Contact an attorney. A car accident attorney from Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., can provide help with obtaining footage, including sending preservation letters immediately to prevent other parties from deleting camera footage.
- Request police reports. An official report could identify any traffic cameras or dash cam recordings relevant to the accident.
You Need to Act Fast Because Footage Can Disappear in Days
Most surveillance systems automatically overwrite recordings, often within 24 to 72 hours. Some systems retain recordings for up to 30 days, but the retention window can close sooner than you might expect. If you know or suspect that a camera captured the car accident that injured you, preservation of that footage should be a priority. Even a few days of delay could mean the evidence is gone for good.
Government and Traffic Camera Footage (ALDOT, ALEA, Local Police)
Several government agencies may have captured traffic camera footage of an Alabama accident, and each typically has its own process for access. The sources may include:
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) – If a State Trooper or State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agent responded to the accident, ALEA may have dashcam footage. You can submit a request to view the recording, but ALEA permits in-person viewing only at its headquarters in Montgomery and does not provide copies. To actually obtain a copy, you’ll need a subpoena.
- Local Law Enforcement – City police and county sheriff video footage falls outside ALEA’s jurisdiction, so you will need to contact relevant local agencies directly. In Huntsville, for example, the HPD Records Division handles traffic accident reports and related documentation.
- Alabama Department of Transportation – Alabama residents can request public records from the Department of Transportation on the agency’s website.
- ALGO Traffic – The ALGO traffic app provides real-time traffic data about highways in the state. Viewing its collection of live-feed traffic cameras could help you determine whether the location of your crash was within a camera’s view and might have been recorded.
Private Business and Storefront (CCTV) Footage
Businesses near the accident scene, such as gas stations, retailers, restaurants, and banks, might have CCTV systems that capture activity on adjacent roads and parking lots. Our attorneys can send a spoliation letter, also called a preservation letter, directly to businesses with security cameras to secure footage after a car accident. A spoliation letter puts the business on notice that its footage is relevant to potential litigation and that they have a legal obligation to preserve it.
When You Need a Subpoena
Some businesses or agencies might not hand over surveillance footage voluntarily, or might withhold it if releasing it could interfere with an active law enforcement investigation. In such situations, a subpoena may be necessary to compel production of the recording.
Let Morris, King & Hodge Secure the Footage Before It’s Gone
Every day you wait is another opportunity for videos that could be critical to your case to disappear. The car accident lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., know how to pursue every available source of evidence and have the resources to quickly send preservation letters and other requests.
That Footage Could Be Gone in 72 Hours. Act Now
Our attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. can move immediately to secure the video that proves your case.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation before the evidence for your car accident case is gone. We serve clients in Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Florence, and communities across North Alabama.
