The Role of Surveillance and Dash Cams in Motorcycle Accident Cases

In a motorcycle accident, chances are the injuries suffered by the motorcyclist will be severe. There is very little a motorcyclist can do to protect themselves from a collision or impact. Once a vehicle makes contact with the motorcycle, being propelled from the motorcycle and onto the ground is the likeliest outcome. 

Needless to say, if you are the motorcyclist who has been injured, determining fault in your accident is a crucial determination, though that can be difficult when the at-fault driver presents a different version of what happened. That driver may even try to argue that the accident was your fault. What can be done to counteract false or misleading recollections of how your motorcycle accident took place?

Surveillance footage offers your Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney an opportunity to present a clear, objective piece of evidence to answer the question of who caused your accident. When seconds matter in determining fault, this type of foot can be invaluable. The question is: how can you make sure that the surveillance footage can be tracked down and kept safe?

The Preservation of Surveillance Footage in a Motorcycle Accident Case

Surveillance footage from an intersection or business is not like a home movie that you made on your cell phone. Whereas many of us can open our phones and find videos from five years ago, most surveillance cameras record over old footage within a certain amount of time. Usually, that amount of time is short enough that you need to act quickly to obtain the footage you need. 

Working with an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer makes a huge difference when it comes to building your case. Being injured in a motorcycle accident means having a lot on your plate in terms of recovery, medical bills, and being able to ease back into your work schedule. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. understands these challenges. Our team of legal professionals works diligently to obtain the evidence that you need in your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. 

Surveillance Footage May Be the Evidence You Need to Win Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Unfortunately, being able to prove liability or damages in a motorcycle accident case is not always simple. There may be disputes as to fault regarding who caused your accident. Then, the elements of the case you make for damages may not be clear without additional evidence. In a situation like this, your Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer needs evidence that makes your case obvious for a judge, jury, or insurance company. 

This is where surveillance footage has the potential to help you tremendously. Video footage goes beyond the “he said, she said” of many disputes regarding fault in a motorcycle accident. 

Many times, the faster you are able to resolve your motorcycle accident case, the better the outcome for you. Keep in mind that while you are working to establish fault and argue for damages, the rest of your life is ongoing. Since you cannot put your life on hold until your motorcycle accident case is complete, using any tool you can to shorten the length of your case is ideal.

What is a Dashboard Camera, and How Can One Help You after an Accident?

Dashboard cameras are useful tools for recording activity in a vehicle. For motorcyclists, a dashboard camera offers a front row seat in your vehicle. That these cameras are often mounted on the front of the motorcycle or on the motorcyclist’s helmet makes the vantage point perfect for anyone watching the video footage later on.

Motorcycle accidents are notorious for drivers having multiple recollections about what happened in the moments leading up to a collision. As a motorcyclist, your story may look and sound quite different than the others. In that case, having a dashboard camera- or helmet-mounted camera- record exactly what happened in your accident can make a major difference in your case. 

Collecting this video footage of your accident is the first task. Next, your motorcycle accident attorney will work to get that video broken down into a format that is admissible for the purpose of presenting evidence in a courtroom. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., understands what it takes to present a compelling, credible case to a judge or jury. Our team seeks to build the strongest case possible so that you are equipped for success. 

Dashboard or Mounted Cameras Provide a Different Perspective on a Motorcycle Accident

When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, the unfortunate reality is that those injuries tend to be significant. Given the size disparity between a motor vehicle and a motorcycle, the motorcyclist tends to suffer the brunt of the damage in an accident. 

Medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages, are some of the more well-known types of damages that an injured motorcyclist can seek in a lawsuit. That said, there must be evidence sufficient to prove liability before those damages can be awarded. 

Dashboard or mounted cameras are terrific at capturing the events of a motorcycle accident in Philadelphia. Specific details about the accident, such as the speed they were travelling, the direction of the impact, and the state of each driver after the accident, can all be captured on camera. Accordingly, having video footage from a unique angle or perspective may be exactly what you need to present the most compelling case possible. 

Video Footage Assists with Your Insurance Company Negotiations 

Before filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, your first step will likely be to file a claim with his or her insurance company. This is not a lawsuit, but an initial step towards compensation. However, filing a claim does presuppose that you have some evidence available to present to the insurance company related to determining fault. 

One of the most frustrating parts of a motorcycle accident case is that insurance companies often try to deny liability and delay your case as much as possible. Those delays and red tape may cause you to become anxious to accept a settlement offer, which may be well below the true value of your case. 

Having convincing evidence to present in the midst of negotiations helps you in a multitude of ways. First, it eliminates the likelihood that the insurance company will deny liability. Secondly, it assists you with getting persuasive, objective footage of what occurred to the decision makers in your case, should you need to pursue litigation or settlement negotiations. An expedited settlement that accounts for all of your losses is more possible with dashboard camera footage than without this type of critical evidence. 

Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., serves his clients with a great deal of pride. He knows that insurance companies and negligent drivers are not easy to negotiate with. 

The best thing you can do for yourself is stand up for your rights and pursue the damages you need after experiencing a serious injury. Contact our office today for a free of charge consultation where your questions can be answered and we can begin your journey towards recovery and maximum compensation.