To have a valid compensation claim for a personal injury, you must be able to prove that it was caused by someone else and that…
Requesting CCTV footage for an injury claim
Learn how to request CCTV footage for a personal injury claim, how long footage is kept and what to do if your request is denied.
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How to Request CCTV Footage for a Personal Injury Claim?
Strong evidence is the key to making a successful personal injury claim, and CCTV footage can be one of the most valuable forms of proof you can obtain.
It can show exactly how the accident happened, who was at fault and what conditions were present at the time. However, this footage is typically only stored for a short time, so it is essential to request it as quickly as possible, before it is deleted or overwritten.
This guide explains how to request CCTV footage for a personal injury claim, why this is important, what you can do if your request is denied and what other evidence can help support your case.
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Table of Contents
Why is CCTV footage important in a personal injury claim?
CCTV footage is essential in personal injury claims because it provides an objective account of what happened. It can help show the cause of an accident, such as a wet floor leading to a slip, trip and fall in a supermarket or a reckless driver causing a road traffic accident.
Unlike witness statements, it is not based on personal recollections alone, and it can:
- Provide an impartial account of the events
- Help prove negligence and establish liability
- Confirm whether warning signs were in place
- Support your version of events if liability is denied
- Strengthen your claim and settlement negotiations
- Speed up the claims process
Who can request CCTV footage after an accident?
The UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 give you the right to request any personal data that a third party may hold about you. This can include footage from CCTV cameras located in:
- Workplaces
- Public and private car parks
- Businesses such as restaurants and supermarkets
- Major roads and busy areas, such as high streets
- Public vehicles such as trains and buses
- Private properties
- Premises managed by the local council
Besides the injured person themselves, CCTV footage of an accident can also be requested by:
- Their legal representatives
- Insurance companies handling the claim
- A litigation friend making a claim on behalf of a child or protected party
- In some cases, the court
How can I request CCTV footage for a personal injury claim?
You can get CCTV footage to support your claim by submitting a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the camera owner, providing clear information to help them identify you.
The steps to request CCTV evidence are:
- Identify the owner – This could be a business, the local authority or a private property owner. Signs near the camera may indicate who controls it.
- Submit a SAR – Write to the owner and clearly state that you request footage of yourself under data protection law.
- Provide details – Make sure your request includes details such as the date, time, and location of the accident, a description of yourself, or your car’s model, colour, and registration number.
- Proof of identity – Prove that you are requesting relevant footage of yourself by attaching a copy of your passport or driving licence.
- Deadlines and cost – The camera owner will usually need to respond to your request within 1 month and, in most cases, free of charge. However, a fee may be charged in limited circumstances, such as where a request is excessive or additional copies are requested.
How long is CCTV footage kept before being deleted?
You should always act quickly and submit your Subject Access Request for CCTV footage as soon as possible. Most footage from CCTV systems is deleted or overwritten within 30 days after it’s recorded.
However, this is not a legal minimum, and some footage may be deleted sooner, sometimes after only 7 days, depending on how long the owner needs it for.
What types of accidents can CCTV footage help prove?
CCTV and dashcam footage can be essential for proving fault in various types of accidents. This provides an unbiased record of how the accident occurred and can be incredibly useful for establishing negligence.
You can use CCTV footage for many different types of claims, including:
- Car accident claims – it can help show exactly how the collision happened, the road conditions at the time and any violation of traffic laws that led to it.
- Slip, trip, and fall claims – camera footage can show the hazard that caused the accident and whether any warning signs were in place.
- Workplace accident claims – footage of the accident can show unsafe work practices, defective machinery and other circumstances that led to the injury.
- Criminal injury claims – CCTV camera recordings can provide evidence of the assault and may help support your account of what happened.
- Occupiers’ liability claims – footage can show the condition of the premises at the time of the accident and the presence of hazards.
Can a third party refuse to provide CCTV footage?
Under UK law, you have the right to request access to CCTV footage of yourself to use as evidence in your claim. Generally, owners of CCTV cameras are required to respond to valid requests within 1 month, but they may refuse to provide footage if:
- You cannot be clearly identified in the footage
- Other people can be easily identified and it is not reasonable to disclose the footage
- Disclosure would jeopardise an ongoing criminal investigation
- Disclosure would breach data protection law
- The footage is no longer available
You could take the following steps if your request is denied:
- Report the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- Involve the police if the footage is related to a criminal act
- Have your solicitor formally escalate the request
Can a solicitor help me obtain CCTV footage?
Yes. Personal injury solicitors can play a key role in securing CCTV footage for personal injury claims. Here’s how a solicitor can assist you:
- Make a formal legal request for the disclosure of CCTV footage
- Follow up promptly with camera owners who fail to respond
- Act quickly to help reduce the risk of recordings being deleted
- Help ensure compliance with data protection laws
- Use the footage as evidence during negotiations or court proceedings
Our panel of solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation and a no win no fee service, so you can make your claim without upfront legal fees.
What other types of evidence should support a personal injury claim?
CCTV footage is typically used alongside other forms of evidence to help support a personal injury claim, such as:
- Photographs of the accident scene, contributing hazards, and your injuries
- Medical records and specialist reports detailing your injuries and any long-term impact
- Accident reports filed with the police, your employer or a business owner
- Witness statements from individuals who can confirm the chain of events
- Financial documents proving any related losses and expenses
The stronger your evidence, the more likely you are to successfully prove liability and recover appropriate compensation.
To start your claim or find out more about how to request CCTV footage for a personal injury claim, call us free on 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back.
