How to Get Video Footage of an Accident in Spokane, Washington

As a Spokane car accident lawyer knows, if you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in and around Spokane, Washington, you’ll need to gather evidence to build a strong case to recover compensation. One often-overlooked yet powerful form of evidence is video footage. Whether it’s from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby businesses, video footage can offer an impartial and accurate account of what happened, which can strengthen your personal injury claim as you pursue fair compensation.

Are you wondering how to get video footage of an accident? This blog, from an experienced car accident lawyer in Spokane, walks you through the steps for retrieving accident video footage, discusses its importance, and explains how our personal injury law firm, Albrecht Law, PLLC, can help you if you have suffered injuries in an auto accident.

Why Is Video Footage Important in an Accident Claim?

Video footage serves as compelling evidence in auto accident cases. Unlike witness statements, which can be subjective or inaccurate, video recordings provide an objective, timestamped account of the incident. Footage can capture critical moments, such as the exact position of vehicles, the speed at which they were traveling, and any traffic violations that occurred.

This kind of evidence can be helpful in:

• Proving negligence.
• Supporting your car accident claim for damages.
• Refuting false statements from at-fault drivers or their insurance companies.

When you combine video footage with other evidence, like police reports and medical treatment, your case becomes much stronger.

Potential Sources of Video Footage That Support Personal Injury Cases in Washington State

There are several places you might locate video footage of your accident, including:

1. Traffic Cameras

Spokane has traffic cameras installed at various intersections to monitor and manage traffic flow. These cameras often record footage that could prove useful in determining what caused the auto accident. However, this footage isn’t saved indefinitely, so you must act quickly.

2. Business Surveillance Cameras

Many Spokane businesses, particularly those located near busy roadways and intersections, use security cameras. Gas stations, grocery stores, and coffee shops are common examples. These cameras may have recorded your auto accident, especially if it occurred in a parking lot or close to a business entrance.

3. Residential Security Cameras

Homeowners near the auto accident scene may have exterior security systems, such as Ring doorbell cameras, that caught the accident on video. It’s worth asking nearby residents if they have any relevant recordings.

4. Dashcams

Dashcam recordings, either from your own vehicle or a witness’s, can be a goldmine of information. Sometimes other drivers at the accident scene may have dashcam footage but they won’t step forward unless asked.

5. Public Transit or Government-Owned Surveillance

If public transportation was nearby, buses, trains, or even city-owned facilities might have security footage that captured the event.

Steps to Obtain Video Footage of Your Spokane Car Accident

An experienced car accident attorney from our law firm understands that collecting video footage isn’t always straightforward. However, taking the following steps can maximize your chances of obtaining the evidence you need to support your personal injury claim.

1. Act Quickly

Time is of the essence in car accidents because traffic cameras and private surveillance systems record over old footage after a few days or weeks. Contact the source of the footage as soon as possible to avoid losing valuable evidence.

2. Identify Potential Cameras

Visit the scene and look for traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or residential areas with visible security cameras. Make a list of possible sources, including their addresses and the direction their cameras point.

3. Contact Property Owners or Relevant Agencies

For traffic cameras, reach out to the responsible government agency. For Spokane, it typically falls under the Spokane Traffic Management Center or the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Be prepared to provide details about the incident, including the location, date, and time, and the extent of your auto accident injuries.

For private cameras, politely approach businesses or homeowners and request access to the footage. Be respectful, and remember to explain how the video footage could assist your personal injury case. Some property owners may request a formal subpoena before they release the footage.

4. File a Public Records Request

Under Washington’s Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56), you can file a request for recordings from public agencies, including traffic cameras. When filing this request, be as specific as possible about the time and place of the incident.

5. Work With a Personal Injury Attorney

Sometimes, obtaining footage requires legal representation, especially if the property owner or agency resists cooperating. An experienced car accident attorney can send a formal letter or subpoena to seek the footage. Additionally, a Spokane car accident attorney has relationships with local agencies and businesses, which can help speed up the process.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from mild to life-altering. Here are some of the most common types:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

TBIs result from a sudden impact or jolt to the head, often causing concussions, skull fractures, or more severe brain damage. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and cognitive impairments.

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)

SCIs are particularly serious, because they can cause partial or complete paralysis. Damage to the spinal cord often affects mobility and sensation, profoundly altering a person’s quality of life.

Soft Tissue Injuries

These are among the most common injuries in car accidents, including strains, sprains, and tears in muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Whiplash, a neck injury caused by rapid movement, is a typical example.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries have severe, lasting effects on victims. These include life-altering traumas like amputations, severe burns, and injuries to multiple organ systems. Recovery can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging.

Auto Accident Claims and the Pursuit of Compensation in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In Washington State, victims who have sustained serious injury due to someone else’s negligence and seek compensation for damages to alleviate the burden of expenses and losses, including

1. Medical Expenses
   Victims can claim compensation for medical bills related to immediate and ongoing treatment, including the cost of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other necessary healthcare services.
2. Compensation for Physical Harm and Severe Injury
   If an accident causes physical harm or results in a severe injury, such as a TBI or SCI, victims can pursue damages for the pain, suffering, and long-term impact on their quality of life.
3. Lost Wages and Future Earnings
   If injuries prevent a victim from working, they may claim lost wages for the time spent recovering. For those facing permanent disabilities, compensation can also cover diminished earning capacity or loss of future income.
4. Property Damage
   Victims can seek compensation for the repair or replacement of their vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident.
5. Other Economic and Non-Economic Damages
   Depending on the circumstances, additional claims may include reimbursement for travel expenses related to medical care or compensation for emotional distress caused by the accident.

A skilled attorney from our law firm can guide you through the legal process, including gathering video footage to support your claim as we seek a fair settlement.

At Albrecht Law, PLLC, You Are Known

Albrecht Law, PLLC, focuses on helping victims of car accidents in Spokane, Washington, collect the evidence they need to build a solid case. We take pride in knowing that our clients are more than just cases, and want to build a relationship with you by getting to know you and your unique circumstances. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of obtaining video footage or navigating Washington’s legal system, you don’t have to do it alone. An experienced attorney from our firm can assist you with:

1. Identifying Evidence Sources
   We’ll visit the accident scene, identify potential surveillance cameras, and work with local agencies and property owners to gather footage.
2. Filing Subpoenas and Requests
   If businesses, homeowners, or agencies hesitate to share video footage, we’ll take legal action.
3. Building a Strong Case
   With video footage in hand, we’ll strengthen your case by combining it with other evidence, like police reports and witness statements, to prove fault and seek financial compensation, and other appropriate compensation based on the details of your case. How much compensation we can pursue relies on the specific circumstances of each client’s accident.
4. Complying with Washington Laws
   Our firm understands the nuances of Washington State statutes, like the Public Records Act, and we’ll use that knowledge to handle your requests properly.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Albrecht Law, PLLC

Video footage could pave the way for winning your car accident case, whether the cause was distracted driving, faulty brakes, or another reason. Don’t wait until it’s too late to secure video evidence. The auto accident lawyers at Albrecht Law, PLLC, will guide you through every step of the process, from obtaining footage to building a strong argument for maximum compensation under the law.

Have you been searching online for “car damage lawyers,” a “Washington injury attorney,” or an  “auto accident law firm near me?” Contact us today at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.

Albrecht Law PLLC — Our Clients Are More Than Just Cases

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave Ste 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com/