One of the most common things I hear after a serious accident is:
"There had to be a camera that caught this."
Given the number of traffic cameras, business security systems, doorbell cameras, and dashboard cameras that exist today, it is a reasonable question.
In fact, one of the biggest changes I have seen over the years is the amount of electronic evidence that may be available after an accident. Not long ago, many cases depended almost entirely on witness statements and the police report. Today, video footage can sometimes provide an entirely different perspective on how a collision occurred.
Unfortunately, there is one problem.
Video evidence often disappears much faster than people realize.
A Question That Often Comes Up After an Accident
Many people involved in accidents on Charlestown Road, Grant Line Road, State Street, State Road 62, or Interstate 265 assume that if a camera exists, the footage will always be available.
That is not necessarily true.
One thing I have learned is that many businesses, government agencies, and private property owners retain video footage for only a limited period of time. Depending on the system, footage may be automatically overwritten within days or weeks.
As a result, evidence that exists immediately after an accident may no longer be available later.
Does the New Albany Police Department Have Traffic Camera Footage?
The answer depends on the circumstances.
Many people notice cameras located throughout New Albany and assume they function like the cameras they see on television crime shows.
In reality, cameras serve many different purposes.
Some are used for:
- Traffic monitoring
- Traffic signal operations
- Public safety purposes
- Law enforcement activities
- Weather and roadway observation
Whether a particular camera recorded footage and whether that footage is available often depends on the specific system involved.
Why Video Can Be So Important
One thing I have noticed is that two drivers involved in the same accident often have very different versions of what happened.
After a collision, disputes frequently arise regarding:
- Which driver had the green light
- Whether a vehicle was speeding
- Who had the right-of-way
- Whether a turn signal was used
- Lane position before impact
- Driver attentiveness
Witnesses may disagree as well.
When video footage exists, it can sometimes provide information that no witness or police report can fully capture.
Don't Overlook Nearby Businesses
When people think about accident footage, they often focus exclusively on traffic cameras.
However, some of the most useful evidence may come from private businesses.
Many New Albany intersections are surrounded by:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Banks
- Medical offices
- Convenience stores
Over the years, I have seen situations where a nearby security camera captured important information even though no government-operated camera recorded the accident.
That is one reason early investigation can be so important.
Other Records That May Be Available
Video footage is only one type of evidence that may exist following an accident.
Depending on the circumstances, other records may include:
- Crash reports
- Officer narratives
- Witness statements
- 911 recordings
- Dispatch records
- Body camera footage
- Photographs
- Incident reports
Sometimes these records help fill in details that are not immediately apparent at the accident scene.
New Albany Has Changed
Like many longtime residents of Floyd County, I have watched New Albany continue to grow.
Roadways such as Charlestown Road, Grant Line Road, State Street, and the areas surrounding Interstate 265 are much busier than they were years ago. Along with that growth has come more businesses, more technology, and more potential sources of electronic evidence.
As a result, there is often a greater possibility that an accident was captured by some type of camera than many people realize.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
One lesson I have learned from handling accident cases is that evidence rarely becomes easier to obtain with time.
Witness memories fade.
Vehicles are repaired.
Businesses overwrite surveillance footage.
Records can become more difficult to locate.
People are often focused on medical treatment and dealing with insurance companies in the days following an accident, which is completely understandable. However, preserving evidence early can sometimes make a significant difference later.
What I Tell People After a Serious Accident
If there is one thing I encourage people to remember, it is this: do not assume the police report contains every piece of available evidence.
Sometimes it does.
Other times, video footage, photographs, witness statements, or other records provide information that helps create a much clearer picture of what actually occurred.
The sooner those potential sources of evidence are identified, the better.
Questions After a New Albany Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident in New Albany, Floyd County, or elsewhere in Southern Indiana, obtaining available evidence quickly may help protect your rights.
If you have questions about accident reports, video footage, traffic cameras, or your legal options following an accident, I invite you to contact Doane Law Office for a free consultation.
☎ Call 812-590-2213
Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Recover Compensation
