How Surveillance Footage Can Help or Hurt Your Injury Case

Surveillance cameras are everywhere in Tampa, whether at a busy intersection like Kennedy Boulevard and Dale Mabry Highway, outside businesses along Bayshore Boulevard, or in parking lots at major shopping centers like International Plaza. When an accident happens, these cameras may capture valuable footage that becomes part of your personal injury case. However, video evidence can both strengthen and weaken your claim, depending on what it shows and how it is used.

Understanding how surveillance footage plays a role in a surveillance footage lawsuit in Florida is essential to protecting your rights.

The Benefits of Video Evidence in an Injury Claim

One of the strongest tools in a video evidence injury claim is the ability to show exactly what happened. Unlike witness statements, which may be influenced by memory or bias, surveillance video provides an objective account of the incident. This kind of evidence can be especially valuable in crowded areas of Tampa, such as Ybor City or near Raymond James Stadium, where multiple perspectives can make it difficult to piece together events.

Surveillance footage may help your case in several ways:

• Proving Liability: Video can capture a driver running a red light at an intersection like Nebraska Avenue and Fowler, or show a store failing to clean a spill that causes a slip and fall.
• Establishing Timeline: Footage can confirm the exact time an accident occurred, which may be important for correlating other evidence, such as medical records.
• Countering False Claims: If the other party denies responsibility, the video can provide undeniable proof of how the accident actually unfolded.

How Surveillance Footage Can Hurt Your Case

While video evidence can be powerful, it can also be used against you. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often seek out surveillance footage to challenge your injury claim. For example, if you claim a severe back injury but are later recorded walking around Armature Works without visible difficulty, the defense may argue your injuries are exaggerated. Even short clips taken out of context can cast doubt on your credibility.

Injury victims should be aware of the following risks:

• Selective Recording: Footage may not capture the entire incident, leaving room for interpretation that benefits the defense.
• Misleading Angles: A camera angle could make it appear that you were at fault or that the accident was less severe than it actually was.
• Post-Accident Monitoring: Insurance companies may hire investigators to conduct surveillance after you file a claim, hoping to catch you doing activities inconsistent with your reported injuries.

Preserving and Accessing Surveillance Footage

Obtaining surveillance footage is often time-sensitive. Many businesses, such as convenience stores along Hillsborough Avenue or gas stations near I-275, automatically overwrite recordings within days or weeks. If you are involved in an accident, requesting that video evidence be preserved should be a priority. Your attorney can issue a legal request to ensure the footage is not destroyed.

Victims should also avoid attempting to retrieve video themselves from private businesses or individuals. Working with a Tampa personal injury lawyer ensures the request is handled properly and lawfully, while also maintaining the chain of custody so the evidence remains admissible in court.

Steps to Take if You Think Surveillance Footage Exists

If you believe your accident was caught on camera, it is important to act quickly. Here are some immediate steps you should consider:

• Document Locations: Note the locations of surrounding businesses, traffic cameras, or security systems that may have recorded the incident.
• Inform Your Lawyer: Share this information with your attorney so they can request and preserve the footage.

By taking these steps early, you increase the chances of securing helpful footage before it is lost.

Talk to a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer from Fulgencio Law

Surveillance video can make or break your case. It may provide clear proof that supports your version of events, or it could be used to undermine your credibility if taken out of context. Having an experienced advocate on your side is critical to ensuring that video evidence is properly obtained and used in your favor.

If you have been injured and believe your accident may have been caught on camera, speak with the experienced attorneys at Fulgencio Law. Our dedicated Tampa personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights, guide you through the complexities of a surveillance footage lawsuit in Florida, and maximize the strength of your video evidence injury claim.

Call (813) 463-0123 today to schedule a complimentary consultation.