CCTV footage can often be the difference between winning and losing personal injury claims, so how do you obtain a copy should you have an accident?
Due to the increasing level of CCTV coverage when out and about, should you have an accident either out on the roads, on pavements, in a shop or at work, there is the possibility that it will have been captured by some sort of CCTV footage.
When on the roads and pavements, there may be traffic cameras or CCTV cameras in the area, which could have caught the accident taking place. Nearby shops may have caught the accident on their CCTV cameras, and as the use of CCTV cameras and doorbell cameras increases for private homes, sometimes accidents could be caught on camera by nearby residents. Vehicles may catch the accidents on dashcams, or they may be captured on the helmet cams of motorcyclists or cyclists. Pedestrians nearby may have even caught the accident on a smartphone.
With so many possibilities, it is important to act quickly when an accident has taken place, requesting any available footage. Often, CCTV footage will be overwritten in a matter of days or weeks, therefore, it is important to ensure a copy is secured early on. Such footage can sometimes be the difference between succeeding with a personal injury claim or losing.
Should you prefer to obtain a copy of the footage yourself, we would recommend making a subject access request to your employer if the accident took place at work or to a shop if you suffered an accident whilst out shopping. You could also request the footage from your local council if you feel it has been caught on their CCTV cameras. However, footage will not always be disclosed as the owner will need to conform to data protection rules when doing so.
We would always suggest contacting a solicitor as soon as possible following any personal injury to ensure that they can act swiftly to obtain any footage that may be available.
Personal Injury Solicitors Near Me
At Bridge McFarland LLP, our specialist solicitors can provide expert advice and guidance if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault. To find out more about making a claim and receive the support you need, contact Bridge McFarland LLP today by calling 0800 987 8800 or email enquiries@bmcf.co.uk. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in seeking the compensation you deserve for your accident.
