Speed Cameras Are Coming to Denver Streets—Here’s What It Means for Your Accident Case
If you’ve been involved in a car accident on Federal Boulevard or Alameda Avenue recently, you’re not alone. In 2024, seven people were killed on these corridors (four on Federal Boulevard and three on Alameda Avenue), contributing to approximately 59-63 total traffic fatalities on Denver streets. Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is rolling out speed safety cameras as part of their SPEED pilot program, following Colorado’s 2023 expansion of automated vehicle identification systems (AVIS). These cameras could significantly impact accident investigations, providing crucial evidence previously unavailable.
💡 Pro Tip: If your accident occurred near Federal Boulevard between Colfax and Dartmouth or along Alameda Avenue, new speed camera data might be available as evidence—ask your attorney to investigate immediately.
Don’t let your car accident case hit a roadblock—uncover the truth with the power of speed camera evidence. The team at Jarret J. Benson Law is ready to help you make every mile count toward justice. Reach out at contact us or dial (720) 710-6753 to get started on your case today!
Your Legal Rights When Speed Cameras Capture Evidence
Under Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-110.5, automated enforcement systems now capture more than just red light violations. Maximum penalties are $40 for speed violations and $75 for red light violations. This technology creates digital records that could prove invaluable in your injury case. When working with a car accident lawyer in Denver, camera footage and speed data can establish crucial facts about the moments before impact. Many of these systems operate continuously 24/7, potentially capturing evidence of dangerous behavior even without a citation.
Colorado law requires specific procedures protecting drivers and accident victims. AVIS cannot be used without posted signs, and penalty notices must be delivered within 30 days for vehicles registered in-state or 60 days for vehicles registered out-of-state, creating a clear paper trail if the at-fault driver received a citation. No points are assessed against driver licenses for AVIS violations—citations are issued to the registered vehicle owner. This distinction becomes important when establishing liability, creating documentation tied directly to the vehicle involved in your accident.
💡 Pro Tip: Even if the other driver didn’t receive a citation, speed camera data showing they were traveling above the limit before your accident can still be obtained through legal channels and used as evidence of negligence.
How Speed Camera Evidence Fits Into Your Case Timeline
Understanding the timeline for accessing speed camera evidence is crucial for building a strong case. Here’s how this evidence typically becomes part of your case:
- Immediate post-accident (0-72 hours): Speed camera data automatically preserved, capturing average speeds between cameras when average-speed (point-to-point) systems are in use; spot cameras record speed at a single point.
- First 30 days: Your attorney should submit formal requests for automated enforcement data from the accident location
- 30-60 days: Penalty notices must be delivered within 30 days for vehicles registered in-state or 60 days for vehicles registered out-of-state, creating additional documented evidence
- 3-6 months: Additional traffic pattern data may become available through public records requests
- 6-12 months: Long-term data showing persistent speeding problems can support dangerous condition claims
💡 Pro Tip: Request speed camera data quickly—while systems store information for extended periods, the sooner your attorney acts, the better chance of obtaining complete records before automatic deletion cycles.
Building Your Case With Speed Camera Evidence
Speed Safety Camera Enforcement provides a new dimension to accident reconstruction. According to FHWA reports, automated speed enforcement can reduce injuries and deaths by 20 to 37%. When pursuing compensation with a car accident lawyer in Denver, this objective data can counter the other driver’s version of events. If camera data (for example, from an average-speed system) shows they averaged 10 MPH or more above the posted limit (the threshold for civil penalties), this directly contradicts claims of safe driving and strengthens your negligence claim.
The team at Jarret J. Benson Law understands how to leverage this technology in building compelling cases. With speeding accounting for over 36% of Colorado traffic deaths in the last five years, speed camera evidence often reveals patterns of dangerous driving that human witnesses might miss. Best-controlled studies suggest injury crash reductions of 20 to 25% at conspicuous fixed camera sites, indicating these locations often have histories of dangerous driving. This historical data, combined with specific evidence from your accident, creates a comprehensive picture that insurance companies and juries find compelling.
💡 Pro Tip: If the at-fault driver received a warning for traveling less than 10 mph over the limit (required by statute for first offenses), this still constitutes evidence of speeding that can support your injury claim.
Understanding Different Types of Camera Evidence in Accident Cases
Denver’s expanded automated enforcement includes multiple technologies that could impact your case: traditional red light cameras, work zone speed cameras, fixed-location speed detection, and mobile photo speed vans. Each type creates different evidence that an experienced car accident lawyer in Denver can use to support your claim. The FHWA’s Speed Safety Camera Program Planning and Operations Guide emphasizes that these systems must maintain reliability and accountability, meaning their data meets evidentiary standards for court proceedings.
Work Zone Speed Cameras: A Special Consideration
If your accident occurred in a construction area, work zone cameras might have captured crucial moments showing whether drivers were adapting to changed conditions. These cameras often use variable speed limit systems and capture driver responses to changing conditions, creating multiple potential evidence sources previously unavailable to accident victims.
💡 Pro Tip: Work zone accidents often involve complex liability issues—speed camera data showing a driver’s failure to slow down for posted construction speed limits can be decisive evidence.
The Legal Framework: What Camera Evidence Can and Cannot Prove
Understanding the limitations and strengths of automated enforcement evidence helps set realistic expectations. Colorado law requires warnings for first-time photo speed van offenses when vehicles travel less than 10 mph over the limit, creating documentation even for minor violations. As of 2022, 12 local Colorado governments use AVIS, including Denver, Aurora, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, but the state doesn’t currently use AVIS on state highways. Evidence availability varies significantly based on accident location.
Privacy Protections and Evidence Access
While speed cameras create valuable evidence, accessing this information requires following proper legal procedures. Your car accident lawyer in Denver must navigate privacy laws and public records requirements. DOTI’s "Slow Down For the Love of Safety" campaign demonstrates commitment to public awareness, strengthening arguments that drivers should have known about enforcement. Nearly 70% of Coloradans admit to speeding on highways, making speed-related evidence particularly relevant in establishing comparative negligence.
💡 Pro Tip: Insurance companies often have established procedures for requesting automated enforcement data—having an attorney who knows these systems can expedite evidence gathering and strengthen settlement negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Concerns About Speed Cameras and Accident Cases
As Denver implements new automated enforcement technologies, accident victims have many questions about how these systems affect their legal options. Understanding the intersection of traffic enforcement and personal injury law helps you make informed decisions about your case.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep all documentation related to your accident location, including photos of posted speed camera warning signs, as these establish that automated enforcement was active in the area.
Next Steps After a Camera-Monitored Accident
Taking prompt action after an accident in a camera-monitored area can significantly impact your case outcome. From preserving electronic evidence to understanding citation processes, knowing what to do protects your rights and strengthens your position.
💡 Pro Tip: Create a timeline of your accident that includes specific times and locations—this helps your attorney match your incident with available camera footage and speed data from automated systems.
1. Can speed camera footage be used as evidence if the other driver wasn’t cited?
Yes, speed camera data can be valuable evidence even without a citation. Some cameras operate continuously and, in the case of average-speed (point-to-point) systems, calculate average speeds; spot cameras measure speed at a single point. Your attorney can subpoena this information to show the other driver was speeding before the accident. This objective data often carries more weight than witness testimony alone.
2. How long do I have to request speed camera evidence after my accident?
While Colorado law requires penalty notices to be delivered within 30 days for vehicles registered in-state or 60 days for vehicles registered out-of-state, evidence preservation varies by system. Most automated enforcement systems retain data for several months to a year. Request this evidence as soon as possible through your attorney to capture all available footage before automatic deletion.
3. What if my accident happened in an area without speed cameras?
Currently, only 12 local Colorado governments use automated enforcement, and it’s not available on state highways. If your accident occurred outside camera coverage, your attorney will rely on traditional evidence like witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction. However, distant cameras might have captured the at-fault driver’s pattern of speeding.
4. Do speed camera violations affect the other driver’s insurance rates or my claim value?
Since no points are assessed for automated enforcement violations, they don’t directly impact driving records like traditional tickets. However, documented speeding violations absolutely affect claim values by establishing clear negligence. Insurance companies take speed camera evidence seriously because it provides objective proof of dangerous driving, often leading to better settlement offers.
5. How much does it cost to obtain speed camera evidence for my case?
Most attorneys handle evidence gathering costs as part of case expenses, typically recovered from your settlement or verdict. Public records requests for camera footage usually involve nominal fees. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get maximum value from available camera evidence without upfront costs.
Work with a Trusted Car Accidents Lawyer
Speed camera evidence represents just one tool in building a comprehensive accident case. Successfully leveraging it requires understanding both traffic enforcement systems and personal injury law. An attorney familiar with Denver’s automated enforcement programs knows which intersections have cameras, how to properly request data, and how to present this evidence effectively. As these systems expand throughout metro Denver, having legal representation that stays current with enforcement technology becomes increasingly important for maximizing your compensation.
Don’t get left in the dust when it comes to your car accident case—use the evidence from Denver’s new speed cameras to your advantage. At Jarret J. Benson Law, we’re all about steering you toward justice. Reach out with a quick call to (720) 710-6753 or contact us and put your case in the fast lane today!