Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | May 7, 2025 | Car Accident
Traffic cameras are used throughout Maryland to assist law enforcement in various aspects of their jobs. If you are involved in a car accident in Maryland, you may want to check with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to determine if the collision was caught on a traffic camera.
Why Would You Want to Have Traffic Camera Footage of a Traffic Accident?
Maryland is an at-fault state for car accident claims. The victim has the burden of proving that the other driver caused the crash before they can demand compensation for damages from the driver.
Evidence used to prove fault for a car accident includes, but is not limited to:
- Statements made by the drivers and passengers
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Testimony and opinions from accident reconstructionists and other experts
- Data collected from the vehicles
- Road and weather conditions
Traffic camera footage can also be used as evidence in a car accident case. Footage from an MDOT traffic camera could be persuasive evidence proving how the car accident occurred and who was responsible.
How Can I Obtain a Copy of Car Accident Footage From the Maryland Department of Transportation?
In most situations, you must complete and submit a Public Information Act (PIA) request. A PIA request is a request for information under the Maryland Public Information Act.
You can file an MDOT PIA request using MDOT’s online form. However, obtaining information through a PIA request may not always be straightforward. A Maryland car accident attorney can handle the request for you. If necessary, an attorney can subpoena the information.
Car Accidents Could Be Captured on Other Cameras
Doorbell cameras and surveillance cameras are becoming more common in neighborhoods and areas throughout Maryland. Your car accident could have been captured on a private or business surveillance camera.
Accident attorneys complete a thorough investigation after a car accident. They search for evidence from all types of sources to prove the legal elements of a car accident claim.
What Do You Need to Prove for a Car Accident Claim in Lanham, MD?
Most car accidents in Maryland are caused by negligence.
Proving negligence requires you to establish the following legal elements:
- The alleged at-fault driver had a duty to use reasonable care to avoid traffic accidents, such as following traffic laws and paying attention while driving.
- The alleged at-fault driver breached their duty of care. For example, they failed to yield the right of way or made an illegal U-turn.
- The breach of duty was the proximate and direct cause of the car accident.
- You sustained injuries and incurred damages and losses because of the other driver’s breach of duty.
If you have a video of the collision, it can significantly make a difference in the outcome of your personal injury case. However, the steps you take after a car crash can also help you prove fault for a car crash.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Lanham, MD
You cannot be sure your collision was caught on an MDOT traffic camera or surveillance camera.
Therefore, take steps to protect your rights after a car accident, including:
- Call 911 to report the accident and obtain a police report.
- Avoid apologizing, as it may be seen as an admission of fault.
- Stick to the facts when speaking to the police; avoid assumptions.
- Take photos and videos of the scene and vehicles.
- Seek medical attention, even if injuries aren’t immediately obvious.
- Keep records of your losses, including receipts and bills.
Contact a Lanham car accident lawyer for a free consultation. An attorney can help you gather evidence and build a case against the other driver to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a car accident lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Waldorf
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Lanham
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7