How Chicago Traffic Camera Footage Can Help Your Personal Injury Case

How Chicago Traffic Camera Footage Can Help Your Personal Injury Case

After a serious accident, everything can feel confusing and overwhelming. You might be in pain. You are likely worried about your health, your family, and your bills. On top of all that, you have to deal with the other person’s insurance company. It’s a lot to handle.

But what if there was a silent witness that saw the whole thing? What if the accident was recorded on video? In a busy city like Chicago, it happens more often than you think. Traffic cameras are all over our streets. This footage can be one of the most powerful tools to help you get the money you deserve after an injury.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., we know how important this evidence is. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers have helped hundreds of accident victims use video footage to prove their cases. We understand that you are going through a difficult time. Your job is to focus on getting better. Our job is to fight for you. We handle everything, from finding the camera footage to making sure the insurance company pays you what you are owed.

This article will explain how traffic camera footage can make a big difference in your personal injury case. Remember, the information here is to help you understand the process, but the most important step you can take is to call a lawyer. The team at Abels & Annes is ready to help you right now.

What Are Traffic Cameras in Chicago?

You’ve probably seen them as you drive around the city. They are small cameras mounted on poles at intersections or along busy roads. Chicago has a large network of these cameras. They are there for a few reasons, but most people know them as red-light cameras or speed cameras.

• Red-Light Cameras: These cameras are at many intersections. They are designed to take a picture or video of a car that enters the intersection after the light has turned red.
• Speed Cameras: These cameras are usually found in school zones and park zones. They record vehicles that are going over the speed limit.

The main job of these cameras is to help the city enforce traffic laws. When a camera catches someone breaking the law, the city mails a ticket to the owner of the car. These programs have been the subject of much debate and reporting, with local news outlets like WBEZ Chicago often covering their impact. But these cameras record more than just the person who gets a ticket. They often capture the entire scene of an intersection. This means they can record other accidents that happen nearby.

This video evidence can be like hitting the jackpot for your personal injury case. It provides a clear, unbiased look at what really happened. A skilled lawyer knows that these cameras can hold the key to winning your case.

Why Is Video Footage So Important for Your Case?

After a car wreck, a bike accident, or if you were hit as a pedestrian, it can be hard to prove what happened. The other driver might lie. They might say you were the one at fault. Witnesses might not remember things clearly, or they might not have seen everything. This is where video footage becomes so important.

A Video Recording Is a Witness That Never Lies

A video recording is a powerful kind of evidence. It’s like having a perfect witness who saw everything and remembers it exactly as it happened.

• It’s Unbiased: A camera doesn’t take sides. It just records the facts. It shows the color of the traffic light, the speed of the cars, and the exact position of everyone involved.
• It’s Clear: There is no room for argument when the accident is on video. It can show a car clearly running a red light or making a dangerous turn. This can end a "he said, she said" argument right away.
• It’s Powerful: Showing a video to an insurance adjuster or a jury is much stronger than just describing what happened. Seeing the crash with their own eyes helps them understand the truth.

According to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), these camera systems are in place to increase safety. While their goal is to prevent accidents, the footage they capture becomes a tool when accidents do happen.

Proving the Other Person Was at Fault

To win a personal injury case, you have to prove that the other person was "negligent." That’s a legal word that just means they were not being careful and their carelessness caused your injury. Video footage is the best way to show this. Organizations like the National Safety Council work to raise awareness about the dangers of careless driving. Video evidence proves when this dangerous behavior leads to a crash.

Imagine a few common Chicago accident scenarios:

• An Intersection Crash: You enter an intersection with a green light, and another car T-bones you. The other driver claims their light was green, too. A red-light camera video can show who is telling the truth. The Federal Highway Administration notes that intersections are frequent sites of serious crashes. Video can prove the other driver broke the law and is responsible for your injuries.
• A Pedestrian Accident: You are crossing the street in a crosswalk, and a car making a turn hits you. The driver might say you walked out in front of them. A camera can show you were following the rules and the driver wasn't paying attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides data showing how vulnerable pedestrians are, and video can prove a driver’s fault.
• A Bicycle Accident: A car cuts you off while you are in a bike lane. The driver’s insurance company might try to say you were riding recklessly. Video from a nearby business or a city camera can show the car invading your space and causing the crash.

In all these cases, the video turns a difficult argument into a clear fact. An experienced attorney from Abels & Annes knows how to use this red light camera injury evidence in Chicago to build a strong case for you.

Fighting the Insurance Company

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to make money, and they do that by paying out as little as possible on claims. They will look for any reason to deny your claim or to offer you much less than you deserve.

An insurance adjuster might try to:

• Blame you for the accident.
• Say your injuries aren't that serious.
• Argue that the accident didn't happen the way you said it did.

Having video evidence stops these tactics in their tracks. When your lawyer presents the insurance company with a clear video of the accident, it becomes very hard for them to argue. They know that if the case goes to court, a jury will see the video. This often makes them willing to offer a fair settlement much sooner.

How a Lawyer Gets the Traffic Camera Footage for You

Now you know why the footage is so important. But how do you get it? This is not something you should try to do on your own, especially when you are hurt. This is where a dedicated personal injury lawyer is essential.

The Clock is Ticking: Why You Must Act Fast

This is the most important thing to understand: traffic camera footage is not saved forever.

Government agencies and private businesses have rules about how long they keep video recordings. Many delete their footage automatically after a certain amount of time. This can be as short as a few days or weeks. If you wait too long to act, this vital evidence could be gone for good.

This is why you must call a lawyer immediately after an accident. The sooner you call Abels & Annes, the sooner we can get to work to preserve the evidence you need to win your case. We are available 24/7 because we know that time is not on your side.

Knowing Who to Ask and How to Ask

Finding the right footage isn't as simple as making a phone call. Different cameras are owned and managed by different groups, and the laws are specific.

• City of Chicago Cameras: Red-light and speed cameras are run by the city.
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Cameras: Cameras on major highways and state roads are often controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Getting the recorded footage requires a formal process.
• Private Business Cameras: Many accidents are captured by security cameras on nearby stores, banks, or gas stations.

A good lawyer knows how to find out who owns the cameras near your accident scene. More importantly, they know the right way to ask for the footage. You can’t just ask nicely. It takes a formal legal process. Under Illinois law, this kind of recorded data is confidential and can only be released through the proper legal channels. There are specific rules that govern how this footage is handled, and different rules can apply depending on the municipality where the accident happened because the law allows certain counties and towns to set up their own camera systems.

Your attorney will immediately send something called a "preservation letter" or a "subpoena."

• Preservation Letter: This is a formal legal document that tells the owner of the camera that they must save the footage from a specific date and time. It warns them that the video is evidence in a legal case and that destroying it could have serious consequences.
• Subpoena: This is a court order that forces the owner of the footage to turn it over to your lawyer.

Trying to do this legal work without a personal injury lawyer is nearly impossible and can lead to the evidence being lost forever. Let the team at Abels & Annes handle the legal fight while you focus on your recovery.

What if There’s No Red-Light Camera?

Even if your accident didn't happen at an intersection with a red-light camera, don't give up hope. An experienced lawyer knows to look for many other sources of video evidence. In a city like Chicago, there are cameras almost everywhere.

Our legal team will investigate all possible sources, including:

• Security cameras from nearby businesses.
• Doorbell cameras, like Ring or Nest, from homes or apartments near the scene.
• ATM cameras at banks.
• City surveillance cameras (the "blue light" cameras).
• Dashcams from other cars that were nearby, including rideshare vehicles or delivery trucks.
• Public transportation cameras from CTA buses or trains.

Finding this evidence takes hard work and experience. It often means visiting the scene of the accident, talking to people in the area, and sending out multiple legal requests. This is part of the detailed work our firm does for every client. We leave no stone unturned in the fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

How to Afford a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Many people worry about how they can afford a lawyer, especially when they are out of work because of an injury. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we want to take that worry away.

We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us absolutely no money upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, either through a settlement or a verdict in court. Our fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you.

This does two things. First, it means everyone can afford to have a top-quality lawyer on their side. Second, it means our goals are the same as your goals. We are motivated to fight for the best possible result for you. Your consultation with us is always free. There is no risk in calling us to talk about your case.

Why You Need a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer From Abels & Annes on Your Side

When you’ve been hurt, you need a team that will fight for you with compassion and strength. The attorneys at Abels & Annes have been recognized as top lawyers in Illinois. Members of our firm have been named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 List and are members of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This means we have a proven track record of winning big for our clients.

We understand the laws in Illinois that protect accident victims. The state has rules about how evidence is used in court, and we know how to make sure that video footage can be used to help your case. We also know the tricks that insurance companies use to avoid paying claims, and we know how to beat them.

Don't try to face this alone. The law gives you a limited time to act. It's important to understand that legal time limits are strict. But even before those deadlines, the practical problem of evidence disappearing is your biggest concern. That video footage could be erased in a matter of days.

Contact an Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don't wait. The most important thing you can do is to protect your rights and get the legal help you need. Getting the video evidence of your accident could be the key to getting the money you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C., is here for you. We are proud to fight for the people of Chicago. We speak English, Spanish, and Polish to better serve our community.

Call us right now at (312) 924-7575 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Let us fight for you.