Can Red-Light Cameras Help Your Accident Case? What Florida Drivers Need to Know
If you were recently involved in a car accident, one of your first thoughts might be:
“Was my crash caught on a red-light camera?”
It’s a common question—especially in areas across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the rest of Florida where automated traffic cameras are installed at busy intersections. Many victims hope the footage shows what really happened and helps prove the other driver was at fault.
But there’s a problem:
Most red-light cameras are designed for ticket enforcement—not accident recording.
And depending on the city, county, and the specific camera vendor, there may not be usable footage at all.
So where does that leave you if you’re hoping this type of evidence can support your injury claim? And how can a personal injury attorney like Perkins Law Offices guide you when the technology isn’t as helpful as people think?
Let’s break it down clearly, simply, and with the legal insight drivers need.
Do Red-Light Cameras Actually Record Your Accident?
Here’s the truth most people don’t know:
Red-light cameras are not designed to record full accident footage.
These systems typically:
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Only capture a few still images when a vehicle runs a red light.
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Only record short video snippets triggered by a violation.
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Do NOT continuously record intersection activity like a security camera.
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Do NOT save footage for general public use after an accident.
In other words, if the crash didn’t involve a red-light violation—and even if it did—the camera may capture nothing useful.
This is why so many people search online for “red light camera viewer,” hoping to find evidence… only to discover the camera wasn’t recording the way they expected.
Can Red-Light Cameras Help Your Accident Case? What Florida Drivers Need to Know Before Checking the Footage
Can You Check Red-Light Camera Footage After an Accident?
Sometimes yes… but usually no.
Public red-light camera portals
Many cities have websites where drivers can check if they received a ticket. But these portals:
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Only show footage if you received a red-light ticket.
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Require a citation number.
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Do not provide accident recordings.
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Do not let you search for footage by time or intersection.
So while these websites can be helpful for checking a citation, they are not helpful in most accident cases.
Can Police Access Red-Light Camera Footage for Accident Investigations?
This is where things get interesting.
While the public cannot access continuous footage:
Police sometimes can request limited data from camera vendors, including:
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Triggered images
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Short captured clips
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Red-light violation data
This is not guaranteed, but in certain investigations—especially severe ones—law enforcement may attempt to obtain available footage directly from the camera provider.
However, there is no public access, and victims cannot request this footage on their own.
What Should You Do If You Think a Camera Captured Your Accident?
Even though red-light cameras aren’t reliable evidence sources, there are several steps you should take:
1. Contact a personal injury attorney immediately
A lawyer can send preservation letters to any entity that might have relevant traffic footage, including:
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City-operated traffic cameras
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Transit authority cameras
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Private businesses near the intersection
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Parking lot cameras
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Residential ring cameras nearby
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Local police departments
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FDOT cameras
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Toll plaza cameras
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Highway overpass cameras
2. Act fast
Traffic camera data—if it exists—may be overwritten in 24 to 72 hours.
3. Gather alternative evidence
Most accident cases rely on:
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Eyewitness statements
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Dash cam footage
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Surveillance footage from nearby stores
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Black box vehicle data
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Accident reconstruction
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Photos and videos taken at the scene
Your case does not depend on red-light cameras.
How Perkins Law Offices Helps When Camera Footage Is Uncertain
At Perkins Law Offices, we know how valuable video evidence can be—but we also know when not to rely on red-light cameras.
Our team investigates every possible angle of your case by:
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Sending evidence preservation letters
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Pulling all available camera sources
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Working with accident reconstruction specialists
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Obtaining police reports
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Interviewing witnesses
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Reviewing medical records
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Building a comprehensive liability narrative
When cameras fail, we don’t.
The goal is always the same: prove fault, protect your rights, and pursue maximum compensation.
Is a Red-Light Camera Website Still Useful?
Yes—just not in the way most people think.
These websites can help you:
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Check whether you received a red-light ticket (which may matter in determining fault)
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Confirm whether the crash may have triggered a violation
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Provide timing information that supports your version of events
But as standalone evidence, red-light camera sites are not reliable for building a personal injury claim.
Your best resource is always a lawyer who knows:
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Where evidence really comes from
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How to get it
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How to use it to win your case
FAQ — Based on Actual Search Trends
1. Do red-light cameras record all the time in Florida?
No. They only record when they detect a potential violation. They are not full surveillance cameras.
2. Can I request red-light camera footage for my accident?
Not directly. Only law enforcement or attorneys may request limited data from vendors, and even then it may not exist.
3. How long do red-light camera recordings last?
Most vendors overwrite data within days unless preserved for a citation dispute.
4. Will a red-light camera prove who was at fault?
Usually not. At best, it may show a red-light violation but rarely captures the actual collision.
5. What kind of camera footage can help my accident case?
Store surveillance cameras, city traffic cameras, toll cameras, dash cams, and private security systems are far more reliable.
6. Should I hire a personal injury lawyer if I think a camera caught my crash?
Yes. An experienced lawyer can quickly request and preserve any available footage before it is deleted.
Contact us
If you were injured in a car accident and want to know whether red-light camera footage, traffic videos, or other digital evidence may help your case, contact Perkins Law Offices today.
We know where to look, how to get the evidence, and how to use it to fight for the compensation you deserve.
