Pedestrian Accident Lawyer St Petersburg

Pedestrian accidents can change your life in an instant, leaving you with physical injuries and mounting medical bills. If you’ve been injured in St. Petersburg, Donaldson & Weston’s experienced pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help. We understand the complexities of pedestrian accident claims and are committed to ensuring that you get the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today at 866-382-1494 for a free consultation and to discuss your case with a compassionate lawyer.

The Importance of Dashcam Footage in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Whether you’ve been involved in a collision with a vehicle or a loved one has been harmed, the road to recovery often involves a complex legal process. One crucial aspect of pursuing a pedestrian accident claim is gathering evidence that supports your case. While eyewitness accounts, medical records, and police reports are valuable, one of the most effective forms of evidence is dashcam footage.

Dashcam footage can provide an objective, first-hand account of what happened during a pedestrian accident. With the rise of technology, many vehicles now come equipped with dash cameras or drivers voluntarily install them for safety reasons. This footage can offer critical details about the incident, such as the driver’s behavior, road conditions, and the events leading up to the crash. However, as with any piece of evidence, it’s essential to know how to use dashcam footage effectively in your case.

How Dashcam Footage Can Strengthen Your Claim

When you are involved in a pedestrian accident, proving fault can be a challenge. The defendant (the driver or another party) may dispute your version of events, or there may be conflicting statements from witnesses. Dashcam footage can provide a clear, unbiased view of the accident, which can be incredibly helpful in determining liability.

Here’s how dashcam footage can strengthen your pedestrian accident claim:

• Clear Evidence of Fault: Dashcam footage can show the precise actions of the driver in the moments leading up to the accident. For example, it can capture whether the driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk. If the footage shows that the driver was at fault, it can make it easier to prove liability and support your case.
• Objective Documentation of the Accident: One of the key challenges in any personal injury case is the reliability of witness statements. Eyewitness accounts can be skewed or unreliable, especially when there are multiple people involved. Dashcam footage, on the other hand, offers an objective, video-based record of the event. It’s much harder for insurance companies or defense attorneys to argue against the facts presented by clear video evidence.
• Context of the Accident: Dashcam footage can provide vital context, showing things like traffic conditions, road signs, pedestrian crossings, and other relevant factors. This can help explain why the accident happened, such as if the driver failed to notice a pedestrian in a crosswalk due to a blocked view or other distractions. Having this additional context can help clarify your version of events and make your case stronger.
• Speed and Location: Dashcam footage may include GPS data that can help pinpoint the exact location and speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident. This can be useful if the driver is claiming they were traveling at a lower speed or wasn’t near the pedestrian crossing when the accident occurred. It provides concrete proof of the vehicle’s speed and location, which can be used to strengthen your case.

Why Dashcam Footage Is Often Overlooked

While dashcams can play a crucial role in pedestrian accident cases, they are often overlooked or underutilized. This may be due to a lack of awareness about their importance, or because drivers are not aware that their dashcam footage can be valuable in a legal setting. Furthermore, not all vehicles are equipped with dashcams, and even if they are, the footage may be deleted or overwritten if not preserved in time.

Another reason dashcam footage may be overlooked is that people may not immediately think to ask for it. In the aftermath of an accident, the focus is often on medical treatment, insurance claims, and other immediate concerns. As a result, important evidence, such as dashcam footage, may go unnoticed or be discarded, reducing its value in the claim process.

This is why it’s critical to act quickly. If a vehicle involved in a pedestrian accident has a dashcam, it’s essential to request the footage as soon as possible. Depending on the camera system, the footage may only be stored for a limited amount of time before it is erased, so time is of the essence.

How to Obtain Dashcam Footage

If you suspect that a vehicle involved in your pedestrian accident has dashcam footage, it’s important to know how to obtain and preserve it. Here’s how you can go about doing that:

• Request Footage from the Driver: If you can, ask the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident for access to their dashcam footage. They may be willing to share it with you, especially if they know it will help clarify what happened. However, it’s not always guaranteed that the driver will cooperate, particularly if they are trying to avoid liability.
• Contact the Police: If the accident was reported to law enforcement, you can request that the police obtain the dashcam footage as part of their investigation. The police may be able to issue a subpoena or other legal request to obtain the footage from the vehicle’s owner. If the police don’t take action, you may need to consult an attorney who can help you make the request.
• Obtain the Footage Through Your Attorney: If you hire an attorney to help with your pedestrian accident case, they can assist you in gathering evidence, including dashcam footage. Lawyers often have experience dealing with insurance companies and other parties who may be hesitant to release footage. They can send formal requests for the footage and handle the legal aspects of the process.
• Preserve the Footage: If you are able to obtain the footage, be sure to save it securely. Dashcam videos can be overwritten or lost, so it’s crucial to preserve it in a safe format. You may need to provide it to your lawyer or present it in court, so keeping it intact is vital.

How Dashcam Footage Affects Settlement Offers

Insurance companies and defense attorneys rely heavily on the evidence when determining settlement offers. When dashcam footage is available, it can speed up the claims process by providing clear evidence of fault. In some cases, the footage may encourage the at-fault party’s insurance company to make a fair offer early in the process to avoid a lengthy legal battle.

Having dashcam footage can also increase your chances of receiving a higher settlement. If the footage clearly shows that the driver was at fault or behaving recklessly, the insurance company may offer a higher settlement to avoid going to trial. In some cases, this can lead to a quicker resolution and less stress for the victim.

St. Petersburg Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident in St. Petersburg can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it by yourself. Donaldson & Weston’s pedestrian accident attorneys have the experience to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 866-382-1494 for a free consultation, and let us guide you through the legal process.