How Can Surveillance Footage Help in a Car Accident Claim?

When you're involved in a car accident, everything happens fast—and the details can get blurry in the chaos. Who had the green light? Did someone change lanes without signaling? What if it was a multi-car pile-up with finger-pointing in every direction? One piece of evidence that can cut through all the confusion is surveillance footage. But how do you find it, and is it actually useful when filing a personal injury claim?

Let’s break down how to use surveillance footage in a car accident case, and why it may be one of the most valuable tools when you're trying to prove fault.

Can This Type of Evidence Strengthen My Case?

While witness statements and police reports are helpful, they’re not always complete or even accurate. This is where camera video footage comes in handy. Whether it’s from a traffic camera, a business security system, or even a nearby doorbell cam, video doesn’t lie. It can show who really ran the red light, if a driver was speeding, or how the impact occurred. Proving fault with traffic cam footage or security video can be a game-changer, especially when the drivers involved have very different stories.

Have you ever heard two people describe the same accident in completely different ways? That’s common and understandable under stress. But when there’s a dispute, you need hard evidence to validate the truth to back up your version of events or completely discredit the other driver’s claim. Insurance companies rely heavily on car accident evidence, and using surveillance footage in a car accident claim gives your case a level of credibility that’s hard to challenge.

Keep in mind that not all crashes happen in busy intersections with multiple witnesses. If you were hit in a quiet residential area or during early morning hours, you may not have anyone else to confirm what happened. But if there’s a Ring doorbell or business security camera nearby, that could be the key to getting the justice and compensation you need.

How to Find Footage After an Accident

Wondering how to gather evidence for your personal injury claim? Start with potential sources of video near the scene of the accident:

Traffic cameras (especially at major intersections)

Gas stations or businesses facing the street

Home security systems (like Ring or Nest cams)

Dashcams (your own or other vehicles around you)

Be proactive. Footage is often deleted within days, so it’s critical to act fast. If you're unable to get it yourself, a personal injury attorney can help make the request—or issue a subpoena if necessary.

The best part about the use of surveillance footage in a car accident case, if it goes to trial, is that it’s often welcomed by judges and juries since it's unbiased. A skilled attorney can use it to reconstruct the accident scene or even challenge false narratives. However, it’s important to note that not all footage is automatically admissible in court. And this is precisely why having legal guidance pays off in such cases.

Need Legal Help?

If you've been injured in an accident and believe video footage may exist, don’t wait—this type of evidence is often deleted within days. Whether it’s footage from a traffic camera, a dashcam, or a nearby business or home security system, that video could be the key to proving liability, especially in complex cases involving conflicting statements. Reach out to a local personal injury lawyer near you who can act quickly and help protect your rights before it’s too late.

Since 1998, our law firm in North Hollywood has helped thousands of clients across Southern California. With 24/7 support, we offer free consultations to help accident victims navigate the legal landscape. Whether you need a car accident attorney in North Hollywood or a Reseda personal injury attorney, we’re just a phone call away. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment, and let us help you gather the right evidence, build a solid case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Yepremyan Law Firm works on a contingency basis for all personal injury matters. That means you don’t pay us anything upfront; we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you—no recovery, no fee.

*No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. These materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal advice pertaining to any particular legal matter. Use of and access to this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and Yepremyan Law Firm and any of its attorneys, employees, or associates.