Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers | November 16, 2024 | Truck Accidents

Truck accidents have become alarmingly common in the United States, but it’s surprising how little most road users know about the procedures that follow in such events. In Ohio, for instance, there were 1,932 fatal crashes reported in 2021, with large trucks representing 204 (10.6%) of those incidents. 

After a truck accident, it’s important to alert the relevant authorities, capture images and videos of the scene, and interview witnesses, including pedestrians. It’s equally important to try to obtain traffic camera footage, as it can be crucial for understanding the circumstances surrounding these accidents. For legal advice in this matter, you can consult with a Columbus truck accident lawyer.

The Importance of Traffic Camera Footage

Traffic camera footage is important evidence in accident investigations because it provides the following key details:

  • An unbiased firsthand account of the events leading up to and during the accident
  • The exact time the incident occurred, which establishes accurate timelines and sequences of events
  • Clarifying context that other forms of evidence might misrepresent, like road conditions and traffic flow

Most people who request traffic camera footage use it to support legal claims, win insurance disputes, or reconstruct a vehicle accident scene. 

How To Get Traffic Cam Footage in Ohio

You must take the following steps to get traffic camera footage after a truck accident in Columbus:

Identify the Specific Cameras

Columbus has many traffic cameras that monitor major intersections, highways, and other key thoroughfares throughout the city. As such, you’ll need to be able to narrow down the specific cameras that have footage of the incident.

Reach Out To Local Authorities

The Columbus Division of Police and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are the agencies that manage the traffic camera systems within the city. They can provide more detailed guidance on how to properly request footage.

Fill Out a Request For Public Records

Traffic camera footage may be accessible through public records requests. You’ll need to submit an online or written request that includes details such as the date and time of the accident, the exact location where it occurred, and any relevant case or report numbers.

Follow Up 

After submitting your request, you should follow up to confirm that it’s being processed in a timely manner. Be prepared to provide additional information as needed.

Review the Footage

Getting the footage is one thing — knowing what to do with it is a separate matter.

It’s important to comb through every detail of the footage. This is where the help of an attorney who focuses on truck accidents can be invaluable. They’ll have handled many such cases and can spot details the average person would miss. 

The Law on Traffic Cam Footage

Different states have different laws on accessing traffic camera footage. As an Ohio resident, it’s important to keep these points in mind:

  • Traffic camera footage often gets deleted within 30–90 days, so it’s essential to act quickly
  • Certain privacy regulations could restrict access or limit how the footage can be used
  • The individual obtaining the footage must follow all the proper procedures to ensure that it remains admissible as evidence in legal proceedings

The Ohio Public Records Act outlines the key points relating to public records and the legal requirements when accessing them.

Get Help Obtaining Traffic Cam Footage of Your Truck Accident

It can be extremely helpful to be able to understand the events that led to a truck accident, especially if liability is in question.

A qualified attorney can help you navigate this potentially confusing process. You can also contact the Columbus Division of Police or the Ohio Department of Transportation, as these agencies have guidelines on how to request public records, including traffic camera footage.

Contact the Truck Accident Law Firm of Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact an experienced lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Columbus, OH, and Charleston, WV.

Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
20 E Broad St Suite 1000, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 587-8423

Areas we serve in Columbus, OH

Downtown, Near East Side, Polaris, German Village, Easton, Short North Arts District, Fairgrounds, Salem Village, Franklinton and more.