Do Traffic Cameras Record in Orlando, Florida?
After a car accident, the parties involved sometimes agree on what happened. Often, however, they have differing opinions about how the accident occurred and who caused it, leading to the common question: Do traffic cameras record in Orlando, Florida?
If this describes your situation, you may seek objective evidence to support your claim. The short answer is that some record short clips. This post provides more details about when and what traffic cameras record, how long they record, and their benefits and limitations in accident claims.
Main Types of Traffic Cameras
Cameras have become a part of our everyday lives, and traffic cameras are no exception. Here are four common types you may see around town:
- Red light cameras: Scattered across Orlando, these cameras detect when a vehicle runs a red light. They automatically take a picture or short video of the license plate and send the owner a ticket.
- Speed cameras: Speed cameras detect and record brief footage of speeding violations. Speeding cameras can be fixed on elevated poles or part of mobile units on tripods or vans.
- Traffic sensor cameras: Often mounted on traffic signals or light poles, these cameras typically do not record footage for incident reconstruction. Instead, they are designed to monitor traffic flow and determine proper traffic light timing.
Limitations of Traffic Cameras in Accident Claims
The answer to “Do traffic cameras record?” is “sometimes,” but it depends on the camera. Even when they record, several limitations impact their usefulness in accident claims:
- Limited footage duration: Most traffic cameras capture still images or video snippets (around 12 seconds). Because they only turn on when triggered, you likely won’t be able to see the events leading up to an accident.
- Limited field of vision: Traffic cameras are typically aimed at capturing license plates. They may not give you a full picture of who was driving, what they were doing, and what was happening with other vehicles nearby.
- Limited storage duration: Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is typically two years. But don’t wait that long after an accident to look for video footage, as it may be deleted after just a few days.
- Difficulty of access: Cameras may be owned by individuals, private businesses, or government agencies. It isn’t always obvious who you should contact or how to request footage. Orlando car accident lawyers can help you gain access.
Do Traffic Camera Recordings Help Accident Victims?
Even if they’re not always recording, traffic cameras can provide powerful evidence in a car accident insurance claim or lawsuit that would otherwise be difficult to prove. Photographs and videos can help you do the following:
- Prove certain traffic violations: If the other driver says they weren’t exceeding the speed limit when they hit you, a speed camera violation can prove otherwise.
- Establish fault: Objective proof of a red light violation or excessive speed goes a long way toward establishing car accident liability. It can help you during settlement negotiations and at trial.
- Provide visual evidence: As they say, seeing is believing. Visual evidence can make a big impact on insurance adjusters and juries.
- Determine a sequence of events: Even when you’re involved in an accident, you may not know exactly what occurred. Video footage can help make sense of what happened and in what order.
Need Help Locating Evidence After an Accident?
Now that you know the answer to “Do traffic cameras record?” contact The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. for legal assistance after an accident. You can schedule a free consultation with our law firm by calling 239-500-5000 or contacting us online.
