(235+)Getting into a car accident in Philadelphia can be a stressful and traumatic experience, especially if there are disputes over who was at fault. Luckily, many intersections and roads in the city are equipped with traffic cameras that may have captured the incident on video. This footage can provide invaluable evidence to support your insurance claim or legal case.
As experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Gibbons & Crichton, we want to share important information on how you can go about requesting and obtaining traffic camera footage if you have been in a crash. Here’s what you need to know on how to request traffic camera footage after a car accident in Philadelphia.
Identifying Relevant Pennsylvania Traffic Cameras
The first step is to determine if there are any traffic cameras or red light cameras near the location where your accident occurred. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) operates a network of hundreds of cameras across the state to monitor traffic and road conditions.
Many Pennsylvania traffic cameras are concentrated on major highways in and around Philadelphia.
You can search for nearby cameras using PennDOT’s online interactive traffic map. Simply navigate to the location of your crash and look for camera icons. Clicking a camera will show you its current live feed and provide the camera’s identifying number, which you will need when requesting footage.
In addition to PennDOT’s cameras, the City of Philadelphia manages its network of red light cameras at certain high-risk intersections. As of 2023, there are 34 intersections in Philadelphia with red light cameras. Check if your accident happened at or near one of these monitored locations.
Requesting Traffic Camera Footage from PennDOT
If you identified a relevant PennDOT traffic camera, your next step is to submit an official request for the footage. It is critical to do this as soon as possible after your accident, as PennDOT typically only retains camera footage for 7-10 days before it is overwritten.
To request video from a PennDOT camera, you need to submit Form M-937MV – Application to Obtain Traffic Camera Recordings along with a $50 payment by money order or certified check to the agency at this address:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Reports and Payments Unit
P.O. Box 68291 Harrisburg, PA 17106-8291
On the form, you must provide details about your accident, including the date, time, location, and identification number of the traffic camera. You also need to certify that the video is going to be used for a civil action or criminal defense.
After submitting your request, PennDOT will review it and, if approved, send you a DVD or USB drive with the relevant footage segments.
This process can take a few weeks, so submit your application promptly.
Obtaining Footage from Philadelphia Red Light Cameras
The process for getting footage from a City of Philadelphia red light camera differs from PennDOT’s. The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) administers the city’s red light camera program.
If your accident occurred at a red-light camera intersection, you or your attorney will need to send a formal written request to the PPA that includes:
- Date, time, and specific location of the incident
- Name and contact information of the person making the request
- Copy of a government-issued photo ID of the requester
- Reason for the request (i.e. supporting an insurance claim or lawsuit)
Your request should be mailed to:
Philadelphia Parking Authority
Red Light Camera Program
35 North 8th Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
The PPA will review your submission and get back to you with the next steps, which may include having to pay a fee for them to produce the video. An experienced local car accident lawyer can help you draft this request to improve your chances of success.
What To Do With Traffic Camera Footage
Once you obtain relevant traffic camera footage of your car accident, be sure to make digital backups to avoid losing this key evidence.
Share copies with your insurance company and attorney.
They can analyze the video to help reconstruct what happened and determine liability.
Traffic camera footage is usually taken from one fixed angle and may not show the complete picture of how an accident unfolded.
However, this video evidence can still be extremely useful to corroborate your version of events, identify witnesses and other involved parties, pinpoint the exact time of the crash, reveal road conditions, and catch things that happened outside anyone’s view.
If your car accident case goes to trial, your Philadelphia car accident attorney can seek to admit the traffic camera footage as evidence to support your arguments. Even if a case does not go to court, this type of objective video proof makes it more likely that the insurance companies will agree on fault and offer a fair settlement.
Working with a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer to Request Footage
Requesting PA traffic camera footage can be complicated, especially when dealing with multiple agencies or privacy regulations. An experienced car accident lawyer in Philadelphia can guide you through the steps and help you gather evidence effectively.
At Gibbons & Crichton, we understand how essential this evidence can be. Our legal team is equipped with the knowledge and resources to assist you with accessing and obtaining traffic camera footage that could support your claim. From filing requests to negotiating with agencies, we ensure no stone is left unturned in securing the evidence needed for your case.
Get Help from a Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney
Accessing traffic camera footage is just one part of building a strong case after a crash. An experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer can handle this process for you while collecting other key evidence, managing communications with insurers, and advocating for your rights.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Philadelphia, the legal team at Gibbons & Crichton is here to help. We have a track record of success in holding reckless drivers accountable and recovering maximum compensation for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can support you.
