In today’s world, we are being watched, monitored, and often recorded most of the time when in public. Although this can seem unnerving to some, if you have been involved in a car accident, this could be hugely beneficial.
In a car accident lawsuit, both drivers will likely dispute the other driver’s account and attempt to shift the liability for the accident. It is in these situations where the evidence provided by either party is crucial for the court to see an accurate picture of the events that took place and subsequently determine responsibility. If neither driver will admit responsibility, and both parties dispute the other’s account of events, good video evidence can be crucial in proving or disproving a case.
Fortunately, some of the most common locations for car accidents in Sarasota are covered by traffic surveillance cameras that your Sarasota car accident lawyer may be able to access for you. These locations include Interstate 75, Fruitville Road, University Parkway, and Bee Ridge Road. If you have been in a car accident, the attorneys from The Law Place may be able to access footage that could completely change the course of your case and the ease with which you secure your settlement.
The Law Place Sarasota Car Accident Attorneys
The Law Place car accident attorneys have been successfully representing clients from Sarasota and the wider Florida area in car accident cases for many years. With a combined experience of over 75 years, our team is continuously adapting and growing as attorneys. Our lawyers continue to ensure they are up to date with new sources of evidence, such as scientific and technological advancements, including traffic surveillance video.
This dedication to consistently upskilling, honing our talents, and moving with new developments means we can provide our clients with the best possible representation to benefit their cases and final settlements. Utilizing the full-scale of the video recording networks available in Sarasota is just one of many ways we ensure our clients have strong, compelling, and well-evidenced arguments to secure maximum compensation.
If you have been involved in a car accident and want an attorney who has the knowledge to source every possible piece of evidence to benefit your case, contact The Law Place.
Call our team today at (941)-444-4444 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Sarasota personal injury lawyer.
Car Accidents in Sarasota
There are countless reasons that a car accident may occur on Sarasota’s roads. For example, a driver making an improper left turn, failing to yield, and driving over the speed limit may all lead to a collision and possible injuries for those involved. In general, the rate of car accidents in Florida is high when compared to the other states, and Sarasota’s roadways see plenty of these collisions.
As reported by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, nearly 10,000 car accidents occurred in Sarasota in 2021. Particularly dangerous roads and intersections for car accidents in Sarasota include the following:
- University Parkway and I-75 intersection.
- U.S. Route 41 and Fruitville Road intersection.
- Cortez Road Bridge.
- U.S. Route 41 and Bee Ridge Road intersection.
- U.S. Route 41 and Siesta Drive intersection.
- Clark Road and McIntosh intersection.
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What to Do After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident in Sarasota, seek medical attention and inform law enforcement of the collision as soon as possible. While at the scene, you should exchange details with all other parties involved in the accident but avoid discussing fault or saying anything beyond what is required of you. In these situations, when you are in shock or distressed, it is easy to incriminate yourself or say something that could hinder a future lawsuit. As such, keep any discussion with the other parties involved to a minimum.
If you are fit and able to do so after the crash, take photographs or videos of the scene and collect details of any witnesses who saw the accident occur. Even if you feel fine after the collision, it is important that you see a medical professional for a number of reasons.
Initially, you could be injured and not aware of it. Adrenaline can block pain and mean that you do not immediately notice injuries, or you could have an injury that doesn’t show symptoms straight away, such as a concussion or internal bleeding. Additionally, if you did not seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident, it is unlikely that you will be able to pursue a personal injury claim in the future.
Contact a car accident attorney for legal advice as soon as you are well enough after your accident. Once you have legal representation, your attorney can search for any available evidence to support your case for compensation and build a compelling argument to secure a successful outcome for you and your family.
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Was My Sarasota Car Accident Captured on Video?
Generally, the type of video that is most likely to have captured suitable footage of your accident that will benefit your case is the video captured by traffic surveillance cameras. These cameras are usually situated above the roadways with a clear, birds-eye view of the incident. Other forms of video, such as cell phone video from witnesses, can be obscured by other vehicles or even a road sign.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Roads Covered By Traffic Surveillance Cameras in Sarasota
Traffic cameras are installed and used throughout the roads of Sarasota. Some of the more well-known areas monitored by traffic cameras, where a car accident may be recorded include:
- Interstate 75.
- State Road 780 (Fruitville Road).
- University Parkway.
- State Road 70.
- Bee Ridge Road.
- Palmer Boulevard.
- Clark Road.
- Linger Lodge Road.
- State Road 681 (Venice Connector).
Video Evidence in a Car Accident Lawsuit
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you could pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for the damages you suffered from the crash. If you can prove that the other driver behaved in a negligent manner and breached their duty of care to you, which led to the car accident, you may be able to recover compensation.
The video footage could be an invaluable piece of evidence to support a compelling argument of the other driver’s negligent actions that caused the collision and your injuries.
Video evidence can come from a variety of sources, including traffic surveillance cameras, cell phones, dashboard cameras, and CCTV. There may also be videos of the accident held by Florida highway patrol or the police if they attended the accident.
Traffic Surveillance Video Footage
Most of the traffic surveillance videos taken in Sarasota are not stored by a government agency. Local traffic agencies use these cameras to monitor traffic flow and identify problems in real-time. Many of these videos are also broadcast live on third-party websites and recorded by the website companies.
Cell Phone Footage
If you managed to record any video footage in the aftermath of your car accident on your cell phone, this could be used in your lawsuit. Similarly, other drivers, witnesses, and passers-by may also have recorded cell phone footage of the crash.
CCTV Video Footage
Depending on where the collision happened, closed-circuit television (CCTV) may have recorded your car accident. For example, if the crash occurred close to a private business or in a parking lot, it is possible that CCTV belonging to the business captured the incident.
How to Find Video of Your Car Accident in Sarasota
In most circumstances, the most efficient way to access a car accident video is through a request from your attorney. A skilled car accident attorney will be familiar with all the possible avenues to search for accident footage and the companies that may hold the videos.
With some key information about your accident, such as the date, time, and location, a reputable lawyer can work with third-party companies, local government agencies, and private businesses to locate any available video evidence and request a copy for your case.
The Law Place Can Locate Video Evidence and Fight Your Case for You
If you are represented by The Law Place, your attorney will watch countless hours of footage from surveillance cameras around the scene of the accident to find any possible evidence to support your case.
The Law Place’s attorneys have worked many car accident cases involving video evidence. Our experienced team knows how to locate and access available footage and understands how best to incorporate these pieces of evidence into your case for maximum results.
If you think that video footage may be available from your accident, it is essential that you have an attorney who knows the possible avenues to search to find it. A reputable lawyer should also understand how best to include the footage in your argument for the most effective strategy. The attorneys at The Law Place have this exact experience and can use this to benefit your case. Join the countless satisfied clients that The Law Place attorneys have helped to win their car accident cases in Sarasota.
The Law Place’s Contingency Fee Basis
The car accident attorneys at The Law Place operate on a contingency fee, or ‘no-win, no fee’ basis. This means that, as a client, you will not pay any legal fees until your attorney has successfully won your case on your behalf. Once your case is successful, your attorney will take their fees as a percentage of the final settlement.
Contact The Law Place Car Accident Attorneys As Soon As Possible!
Insurance companies will almost always put up a fight against personal injury claims. They have skilled legal teams dedicated exclusively to scrutinizing cases to reduce the final settlement in any way possible. Locating strong supporting video evidence can be the difference between a straightforward, un-disputable case and a more complicated, drawn-out negotiation process if the evidence is limited.
When represented by The Law Place, you will have an aggressive advocate in your corner who will fight for your rights and develop the best case possible to stand up against the other driver’s counter-claims. We know how much compensation can help car accident victims in the traumatic aftermath of a crash, and we will fight tirelessly to secure the settlement you deserve.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Sarasota, whether you think there is video evidence or not, The Law Place can help. We will search diligently for any evidence to support your case that has not been discovered yet. Similarly, even without video footage, we have won thousands of car accident cases in Florida based on other evidence and the legal skills of our team.
Call The Law Place’s 24/7 phone line today at (941)-444-4444 to schedule a free, no-risk consultation to discuss how we can help you.
Car Accident Video Footage FAQs
Will a Video of the Accident Prove My Case?
How a video can impact your case will depend upon the content of the footage. Generally, a video alone will not be sufficient evidence to prove negligence and win your case. However, if the footage is strong, and clearly shows every driver’s actions during the accident, it can be a pivotal piece of evidence. This type of video can substantially increase the likelihood of securing a successful outcome.
Can Video Evidence Improve My Final Settlement?
Video footage of a car accident can be beneficial to a case and the final settlement in several ways. Initially, if the other driver is more at fault than they are claiming to be, this can improve the amount of compensation you may receive.
For example, under Florida’s comparative negligence laws, if the other driver is 70% at fault for the accident, you will receive compensation of up to 70% of your total damages. However, they may be trying to claim that they are only 50% to blame for the collision, which would mean you only receive 50% of your damages. A video can help to prove to the court the actual level of liability of both parties involved in the crash.
Additionally, another element of your case will be proving the amount of damages you incurred as a result of the accident. Even if a video does not help to support a claim of either driver’s liability, it may be beneficial for proving the extent of the damages you suffered. For example, a video that does not clearly show the cause of the crash may still show the property damage you incurred, which can support your claim for compensation.
My Request for Footage of My Accident Has Been Ignored. Can a Lawyer Help?
You may have attempted to access video footage of your accident without legal help. Car accident victims often do this because their recollection of the accident is limited or hazy, and they are unsure where the responsibility lies between drivers.
If successful, a video can be a useful tool to prompt your memory of the accident and help you decide whether to pursue a lawsuit. However, it is more common for requests for video footage sent from individuals, as opposed to attorneys, to be ignored, forgotten, or just not treated as a priority. This is particularly common if you are requesting footage from a private business or individual. Sometimes video files are large, and the company has a lot of footage to search through to find your accident, which can be tedious and time-consuming.
An attorney can help in this situation by sending a formal follow-up request and explaining the relevance of the footage to a potential lawsuit. Usually, a request from a lawyer can help communicate the serious nature of the request and is often taken more seriously and prioritized.
With The Law Place’s contingency fee basis, even if you are unsure what the video evidence will show or are concerned that your case is not strong enough to win, you have nothing to lose. Our representation is risk-free, and you will pay no fees unless we win your case. As such, we can help you to obtain the video footage with no risk of legal fees if your case isn’t successful.
