The Role of Red Light and Speed Cameras in Chicago Accident Claims

It’s common to notice red light and speed cameras at different roads and intersections throughout Chicago. The goal of these cameras is to ensure that drivers stop at red lights and drive within the posted speed limits when navigating the roadways. If a driver does not obey the speed limit or runs a red light, the cameras will capture their photo, resulting in a traffic citation.

Can you use footage from red light and speed cameras as evidence?

You can use footage from red light and speed cameras as evidence, and you are often encouraged to do so if you are involved in a crash. For instance, if you suffer injuries in a car accident because a driver was speeding or ran a red light, you can submit footage from red light and speed cameras to support your claim. In order to successfully recover compensation for your losses, you must be able to establish and prove liability. Therefore, if the footage from the cameras shows that the driver ran a red light or was speeding, it can help prove the accident would have likely never happened if it wasn’t for their negligent behavior.

What can red light and speed camera footage show?

Red light and speed camera footage may be able to provide insight into why an accident took place. Some evidence that you might be able to collect from a speed or red light camera includes:

• The other driver was speeding: The goal of speed cameras is to catch drivers violating the speed limit. If the camera catches a driver traveling over the limit right before or during the accident, this can serve as evidence of their negligence and potentially that they are at fault. Also, if the driver was traveling at a higher rate of speed, that evidence may support your injury claims. More serious injuries are likely in crashes when drivers are traveling at a high rate of speed.
• The other driver violated a traffic signal: Red light cameras help enforce traffic laws when an officer isn’t available to pull a driver over. If the driver who caused your injuries drove through a red light or stop sign, and the camera caught the violation, this will be strong evidence of their negligence and fault.
• Who the driver was: In the case of a hit-and-run accident, a camera might be the best way of finding the identity of the negligent driver. In many cases, this is an important first step in holding the negligent driver liable.

While red light and speed cameras may provide compelling evidence, these recordings might not be available in many cases. Even when the video or images exist, it can be challenging to obtain them. It’s important to speak to an attorney about collecting this evidence as soon as possible.

How do you obtain footage from red light and speed cameras?

Your attorney might be able to help you find traffic camera footage if it exists in your case. Here are some steps to take if you believe a camera may have caught the collision:

• Report the Accident: Contact the police to create an official report detailing the incident.
• Identify Traffic Camera Locations: Find potential traffic cameras near the accident scene. There are often resources for finding the location of such cameras.
• File a Public Records Request: Request the footage from the relevant agency. You may need to file a Freedom of Information Act Your attorney should be able to help you with this step.
• Be Timely in Your Request: Make your request quickly. Agencies do not tend to keep the footage for too long.

Once you have the images or video, you and your attorney can review it to see how it might strengthen your case. In some circumstances, you may want to have an expert review the footage as well. An accident recreation expert may be able to recreate the events using the footage. You and your attorney should also be sure to have backup copies that you store in a secure location. Personal injury cases can take time. You want to do everything you can to preserve powerful evidence.

Where are these cameras located in Chicago?

Chicago has 162 speed cameras and 149 red light cameras. The red light cameras are found at intersections throughout the city, and the speed cameras are commonly located near schools and parks to keep young children safe from speeding drivers. Below, we will go over a few of the locations of these cameras.

Speed cameras:

• 3450 W 71^st Street
• 6247 W Fullerton Ave
• 2501 W Irving Park Rd
• 4674 W Peterson Rd
• 7518 S Vincennes Ave
• 7122 S Chicago Ave
• 2448 N Clybourn Ave
• 7157 S Chicago Ave
• 2550 W 79^th Ave
• 7833 S Pulaski Rd

Red light cameras:

• Damen-Fullerton
• Narragansett-Irving Park
• Western-Madison
• Cicero-Peterson
• State-79^th
• Kedzie-26^th
• Western-Chicago
• Kedzie-Belmont
• Cicero-Armitage
• Jeffrey-95^th

The car accident attorneys at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers know how traumatic and devastating car accidents can be. You may be out of work, healing from life-altering and debilitating injuries, and accumulating hefty auto mechanic and medical expenses. When you work with our team, you have strong and experienced advocates in your corner, fighting for your right to the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries and other related expenses. If you believe that another driver was speeding or ran a red light at the time of your accident, please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation today.