How Video Surveillance Can Affect Your Claim

As technology continues to evolve, video surveillance has become a popular way for businesses and individuals to enhance their security. It is not uncommon to come across security cameras mounted on streetlights or outside garages while walking down the street. In addition, many people invest in camera doorbells, which record video footage when motion is detected outside their homes.

If you are involved in an accident, surveillance footage may prove invaluable in your quest to obtain fair compensation, just as an accident lawyer in Portland. Using this evidence, you can gain a better understanding of the events leading up to your accident and prove the at-fault party’s liability. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys can also leverage video footage, which could be used to invalidate your claim.

Video Surveillance Can Be Valuable Evidence

Personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims often rely on the presence of negligence, or a defendant’s failure to uphold a certain duty of care. Negligence can be difficult to prove without concrete evidence, and few pieces of evidence are more concrete than video footage of the event. 

Video surveillance can establish critical facts about the incident. For example, it can show the circumstances of the accident, such as who was at fault and how it happened. It can also provide evidence of the extent of your injuries and their impact on your daily life. Video footage can help establish liability and prove damages, which are critical elements of a personal injury claim.

Types of Video Surveillance That Can Be Used in a Lawsuit

In today’s interconnected world, video surveillance is becoming more and more common. After an accident, you may find that various types of footage may have captured the event. When legally obtained, you can use this evidence to corroborate certain facts and prove an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Depending on your case, you may be able to leverage the following pieces of video evidence:

• Doorbell camera footage
• Security tapes at stores and other commercial facilities
• Body cameras worn by police officers
• Traffic surveillance and cameras
• Videos taken by witnesses
• Dashboard cameras

How an Attorney Can Help Your Personal Injury Claim

While video surveillance can be a powerful tool in your claim, it can also be used against you. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may access this footage, point to moments where you appear unharmed, and try to invalidate your injuries. They may also use this footage to suggest that you caused the accident entirely. When this happens, your claim could be reduced or dismissed altogether.

If you find yourself in this situation, you need a personal injury lawyer on your side. Your attorney can defend you against the at-fault party’s claims and use the video footage to build a compelling case for your right to compensation. Your lawyer can also gather other pieces of evidence, like medical records, witness statements, and expert witness testimony to strengthen your case and prove the defendant’s negligence. 

Contact A Portland Personal Injury Lawyer

The aftermath of an accident can be a frightening experience, but in these situations, time is of the essence in such situations. Seeking legal representation immediately after the accident can help you gather crucial video surveillance footage to build a strong case in your favor. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact a Portland personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options and begin planning your next steps.