Video footage of a car accident can be vital evidence in a New Jersey compensation claim. If you think a traffic camera may have filmed your recent collision, it is important to learn if that footage will be accessible and for how long.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has CCTV traffic cameras, mainly along popular highways in the state. These cameras keep video footage for seven days only, meaning victims have just one week to request footage after a car accident. Although New Jersey used to maintain red-light cameras throughout the state, these devices no longer exist. This means that victims can’t rely on potential photographs from red-light cameras to support a claim. To access footage or photographs of your recent car accident before they are erased, enlist help from an attorney.
Our New Jersey attorneys are here to help car accident victims hold negligent drivers accountable. For a free case evaluation with the New Jersey car accident lawyers at Legal Care, call today at (732) 838-9769.
How Long Does NJDOT Keep Traffic Camera Footage of Accidents?
The New Jersey Department of Transportation maintains CCTV traffic cameras throughout the state, usually placing them around crowded roadways and highways. The purpose of these cameras is to monitor traffic and weather conditions. Because these CCTV traffic cameras film continuously, they can capture car accidents in New Jersey. For victims, it is important to learn how long NJDOT keeps that footage.
If you were recently injured in a car accident on a New Jersey highway, NJDOT’s CCTV traffic cameras might have filmed it. These cameras are mounted on poles along New Jersey highway systems and interstates to monitor the flow of traffic and weather conditions. They also help NJDOT handle car accidents and incidents that can delay traffic. The New Jersey Department of Transportation offers car accident victims access to such footage, but only for a period of time.
NJDOT CCTV traffic cameras only store footage for seven days. After that point, the old footage is overwritten by new footage. So, New Jersey car accident victims who wish to access NJDOT traffic camera footage of their collision must submit a request within a week of a crash. If you fail to do so, the footage will be deleted. Submitting a request to NJDOT can be difficult for victims, especially those healing from serious injuries. Your Edison car accident lawyer can request NJDOT traffic camera footage on your behalf before the seven-day retention period ends.
Do Red-Light Cameras and Speed Cameras Keep Photos of Accidents in NJ?
While driving in New Jersey years ago, you might have noticed small cameras affixed to the tops of stoplights at busy intersections. Those devices were red-light cameras, which law enforcement agencies previously used to identify and ticket reckless drivers in New Jersey. But that was in the past. Currently, New Jersey does not have red-light or speed cameras that might photograph a car accident.
Red-light cameras work on a trigger basis. When a driver runs a stoplight, the camera flashes, photographing a driver’s face and license plate. These photographs help local law enforcement officials identify negligent drivers and ticket them. Speed cameras work similarly. Although New Jersey used to have red-light cameras, which could potentially photograph a car accident if triggered at the right time, they no longer do. Because of that, there is clearly no method for storing these non-existent photographs.
It is unlikely that New Jersey will reinstall red-light cameras or embrace speed cameras in the near future. After all, New Jersey lawmakers did away with red-light cameras less than ten years ago. While the lack of red-light and speed cameras limits law enforcement agencies’ ability to ticket drivers without witnessing an infraction, it also means that car accident victims cannot access potential photographic evidence that could otherwise help their compensation claim.
In reality, red-light cameras and speed cameras rarely photograph car accidents successfully. On top of that, accessing that information can be challenging for victims, as it is unclear how long other states’ law enforcement agencies retain such photographs after identifying and ticketing a negligent driver.
What if There isn’t Traffic Camera Footage of a NJ Accident?
Whether there isn’t traffic camera footage of your New Jersey car accident or you just didn’t access it quickly enough after a crash, don’t worry. There may be other footage or evidence that can be just as effective at proving a negligent driver’s fault in a New Jersey car accident lawsuit.
Just because there isn’t traffic camera footage of your New Jersey car accident does not mean another camera did not film it. In fact, private security cameras may be more likely to film collisions than traffic cameras. If private security cameras are near your accident site, tell your Paterson car accident lawyer. Your attorney can speak to local homeowners or business owners and request access to potential footage.
Eyewitnesses are also known to film car accidents and the moments after a collision. If you notice witnesses on the scene taking pictures or videos, ask for their contact information. Your attorney can get in touch with them in the future to request access to any footage or insight they may have about an accident’s events.
The fact that NJDOT only keeps CCTV traffic camera footage for some time, and the fact that New Jersey no longer has speed cameras or red-light cameras, can be worrisome for car accident victims. While that’s understandable, an experienced attorney knows not to rely on potential traffic camera footage to prove a negligent driver’s fault. Your lawyer can gather additional evidence that helps you recover the compensation you deserve, regardless of whether or not there is available traffic camera footage of a collision.
Call Our NJ Attorneys After a Car Accident
If you were recently injured in a car accident in New Jersey, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Newark car accident lawyers at Legal Care, call today at (732) 838-9769.
