Using Traffic Camera and Surveillance Footage in Crash Investigations

Car accidents can happen anywhere, but when they happen at intersections or in heavily trafficked areas, there may be certain evidence that can be used. Traffic cameras and surveillance footage can be considered evidence to prove what happened and who is at fault. The video footage from security cameras and onboard vehicle cameras can play a valuable role in investigating and reconstructing traffic accidents.

The Growing Availability of Surveillance Cameras

Surveillance cameras are increasingly common in commercial areas, including convenience stores, gas stations, and banks. Many of these cameras face nearby streets and intersections, meaning they may capture vehicle movements before or during a crash. As a result, investigators often search surrounding businesses and properties for video that might show part of the incident.

However, locating useful footage requires quick action. Many surveillance systems store video on limited-capacity drives that automatically overwrite older recordings. If investigators do not obtain the footage soon after the crash, it may be permanently lost.

But even when cameras are present, they may not always be helpful. Some cameras are positioned away from the roadway, while others may be nonfunctional or even fake deterrent devices. When usable cameras are found, investigators must still retrieve the footage without degrading its quality.

Footage may be obtained in several ways, such as copying the original digital file or recording the playback screen. While the latter method can reduce image clarity, even lower-quality video may still provide useful information for reconstruction analysis.

Considerations

The accuracy of video analysis depends heavily on resolution and frame rate. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in each frame, while frame rate measures how many frames are captured per second. Higher frame rates allow smoother motion and more precise timing measurements.

Environmental factors can also affect image quality. Sun glare, low lighting, or dust on a camera lens may obscure details in the footage. In addition, many surveillance cameras use wide-angle lenses, which can create distortion that must be corrected using specialized software.

One of the most important uses of surveillance video is determining vehicle speed before a collision. Investigators analyze the footage by tracking a vehicle’s position relative to fixed landmarks such as lane markings, signs, or roadway features.

By measuring the distance a vehicle travels between two points and calculating the time between frames, experts can estimate speed using the basic relationship between distance and time. In many cases, investigators also create scaled diagrams or use aerial photographs of the crash site to accurately measure distances between reference points.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Video footage can be helpful in a crash investigation, but it needs to be accurate and it needs to be obtained quickly. Time is of the essence in these cases.

If you have been in a crash, contact a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC right away. We can provide you with customized and sensitive legal advice. Call (281) 347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.

Source:

plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/surveillance-camera-video-in-traffic-collision-reconstruction