You expect cameras to be watching almost every move you make, and this can especially apply to Las Vegas.

Every casino in the city and there are a ton of them, is equipped with cameras from ceiling to floor. If you sneeze, at least three or four cameras have it on video, and this also applies to Vegas streets. From businesses and homes to traffic cameras, pretty much everything is being recorded.

Theoretically, this should make accessing traffic camera footage after an accident relatively simple. However, there’s a process you need to follow and it can be a little complicated.

What Is a Traffic Camera?

Before you can start requesting video footage from a device, it helps to know what it is. Traffic cameras are pretty self-explanatory. They’re cameras mounted on traffic lights, usually at intersections, and along the side of roads.

The cameras monitor traffic conditions. The data is often used for planning road projects. City officials know if a road needs widening to accommodate a heavy traffic flow or if an intersection is considered especially dangerous. Traffic cameras also capture driver behaviors like speeding and running red lights.

Not all traffic cameras record continuously. Actually, most traffic cameras only snap still photos when triggered by an approaching vehicle. The reason for the lack of recording typically comes down to costs and privacy concerns.

The law is a little touchy about how and when private citizens can be recorded, which is also the reason you generally see a sign notifying you of the presence of cameras in the area. These warning signs help address some privacy concerns.

Types of Traffic Cameras in Las Vegas

We noted earlier there are different types of traffic cameras. You can find three different types in and around Las Vegas.

Speeding Cameras

Speeding cameras are relatively new to Sin City, first appearing on city streets in 2022. The reason for the installation comes down to a shortage of police officers. The Las Vegas Police Department simply doesn’t have the manpower for officers to focus solely on getting drivers to slow down.

This type of camera typically doesn’t record video footage. However, it does record a driver’s speed and sometimes manages to capture an image of the vehicle’s license plate. If the license plate is visible and legible, it can be used to track down the driver.

Red Light Cameras

These are the most common types of traffic cameras used in Las Vegas. The cameras are usually installed on traffic lights in intersections. No, every intersection in Las Vegas isn’t equipped with red light cameras, but a majority have the devices. This especially applies to busy intersections and ones with higher-than-average accident rates.

Like speeding cameras, these devices have sensors. When the traffic light turns red, the camera switches on. The cameras record footage of driver’s flying through red lights. The cameras usually capture the driver’s license plate which makes them easier to find if they’re also involved in a car accident.

Did you know red light cameras also record footage of drivers making illegal turns at red lights?

License Plate Readers

As you probably guessed, this type of traffic camera only reads license plates. They’re more commonly found on toll roads. The cameras capture the license plates of drivers blowing through without paying the toll.

You can also find the cameras in parking lots. Some of the larger casinos use them as part of their security system. You may also find license plate readers in high-crime areas. The authorities can often track suspects down by their license plates.

How To Request Traffic Camera Footage

Even if the traffic camera only snaps pictures, the images can still be invaluable evidence in your accident claim. Remember, you need to show the other driver’s actions leading up to the accident are negligent. Sometimes, video footage is the best way of accomplishing this goal. So, how do you go about obtaining traffic camera footage?

You can always email or call the Las Vegas police department. The Nevada Department of Transportation may also be able to help. While it never hurts to submit a request to view the footage, chances are you’re not going to get the response you want. Once again, privacy laws may come into play, as this can prevent the authorities from releasing the footage to the public.

Another option is filing a public release of information form. Even though journalists use this legal tactic frequently to obtain information for a news story, it doesn’t always work when traffic cameras are involved.

If you’re not making any headway in obtaining traffic camera footage, your other option is to partner with a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney can request a subpoena for the release of the traffic camera footage.

Once the subpoena is issued, the authorities must turn over the requested footage. Their only other option is to fight the subpoena in civil court. Since this is costly and often a waste of taxpayer money, you shouldn’t have to wait through the appeals process.

Is Traffic Camera Footage Considered Admissible Evidence?

We’ve mentioned privacy concerns a couple of times so, you may be wondering if you can use the camera footage to support your accident claim. The short answer is usually yes. Once you and your attorney receive the traffic camera footage, you can submit it as evidence in a personal injury claim.

You will need to let the insurance adjuster review the footage if you submit it as evidence. This shouldn’t be an issue unless you’re trying to file a fraudulent claim. If you’re trying to use the traffic camera footage to shift blame unfairly in your accident, you may end up facing legal charges.

Traffic Camera Footage Can Support Your Las Vegas Car Accident Claim

Yes, traffic cameras can be annoying until you need the footage to support a car accident claim. Then the devices are a vital part of your claim.

Obtaining the footage may take a subpoena from your accident attorney, but the images they capture can be the difference in whether your accident claim is approved or denied.