Home surveillance cameras have become increasingly common across neighborhoods, offering homeowners peace of mind and added security. These devices are also changing car accident claims. Their presence is transforming how attorneys, insurers, and investigators handle evidence in these cases.
Can Home Camera Footage Prove Who Was at Fault?
Footage from a home camera can provide visual evidence about how an accident occurred. Cameras mounted on garages, porches, or doorbells sometimes capture the precise moment of impact or the actions of drivers before a crash. This footage can reveal critical details like traffic light changes, vehicle speeds, or whether a driver ignored a stop sign.
How Do Insurance Companies Use Home Camera Evidence?
Insurance adjusters increasingly request video recordings from nearby properties when investigating collisions. That evidence can clarify disputed details and shorten the time needed to assess liability. If footage clearly supports one party’s account, insurers may be more inclined to settle quickly. However, they also analyze whether the recording has been edited or altered. Authentic, timestamped footage from a reliable device tends to carry substantial weight during claim evaluations.
Can Home Camera Footage Be Used in Court?
Courts often accept home camera recordings as evidence if they are authentic, relevant, and untampered. Attorneys must verify authenticity through testimony from the property owner or system operator. When properly admitted, the footage may provide a clearer and more persuasive account than written statements or witness descriptions.
What Should Property Owners Do If Their Cameras Capture an Accident?
Homeowners who discover that their cameras recorded a nearby crash should preserve the footage immediately. Many devices overwrite stored data within days, which can result in the loss of valuable information. Saving a copy to a separate drive or cloud service can maintain the integrity of the recording. Property owners should avoid editing or altering any portion of the video and should only share it with the involved parties or law enforcement when requested.
Are There Privacy Concerns With Using Home Camera Recordings?
Privacy laws generally permit homeowners to record video on their own property, but using that footage for a legal claim introduces additional considerations. Recordings that inadvertently capture individuals in private spaces may raise objections. Courts typically evaluate whether the footage was obtained lawfully and whether its use violates any privacy expectations.
How Are Attorneys Using Home Camera Evidence?
Attorneys use home surveillance footage to corroborate witness statements, challenge inaccurate claims, and present compelling visual evidence in court. The footage often supplements traditional forms of proof such as photographs, police reports, and expert reconstructions. When used with other evidence, appropriate footage allows legal teams to build more persuasive arguments by showing, rather than describing, what occurred at the scene.
What Should Drivers Know About Home Camera Evidence in Their Own Claims?
Drivers involved in an accident should consider whether nearby traffic and home cameras might have recorded the event. Requesting footage promptly can make a major difference, as most systems automatically delete older recordings. WE recommend contacting nearby homeowners or businesses soon after the crash to increase the likelihood of obtaining useful evidence. Those who suspect video exists should mention it to their attorney or insurer so that it can be preserved and properly reviewed.
Talk to Our Dedicated Delaware County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks
Do not face your motor vehicle crash claim without experienced legal guidance. To learn more, contact our Delaware County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call 610-565-3701 or complete our online form today for a consultation. We have offices in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and serve clients in the surrounding areas.