Cameras, Cameras Everywhere!
Unlike in many car crash cases, when a biker is in an accident, there are usually no passengers to serve as eyewitnesses supporting the cyclist’s side of the story.
So how do the best bike crash injury lawyers prove their injured clients’ cases?
The best bicycle injury lawyers know to go to the scene, “walk the walk,” interview people who live, work and travel to the area regularly and — in this day and age — keep an eye out for intersection and other surveillance camera or equipment.
While surveillance and traffic and intersectional cameras often provide the “best evidence” of a bike, car and/or truck crash, these recordings are not kept forever. So it is critical that special requests be sent out immediately after an accident, so that this vital evidence is not destroyed, copied over, and/or lost.
“It is important for an injured biker to secure experienced, competent legal counsel immediately,” notes Landau. “While I believe the cyclist’s version of events, the recording of the impact can be critical to the case. But if it’s not secured right away, it may be no longer available.”
The best lawyers know to get pictures of the debris field, canvas the neighborhood, and send special legal requests to preserve the video tape to digital images.
Landau also points out that some cameras seen outside commercial buildings in retail shops are actually “dummy cameras” which are inert and do not record anything; they are installed simply to give the impression of heightened security and dissuade would-be criminals from theft, vandalism, or graffiti.
“Therefore, I never assume we will get images from every single camera that may be available, and I always seek information from eyewitnesses, neighbors, and post crash investigators,” notes Landau.
If you are someone you know have been injured while cycling and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).