SnapChat video of speeding driver illustrates rise of social media in accident cases

On Behalf of | Nov 7, 2016 | Car Accident |

A 10-second SnapChat video is giving law enforcement officials an inside look into a horrifying crash that occurred late last night. A 22-year-old man was driving far in excess of the speed limit when his car crashed into another vehicle in Tampa late last month.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Florida Highway Patrol believes the video shows the driver accelerating to 83 mph, then 115 mph just moments before the vehicle jumped a median and crashed into an oncoming minivan.

In this tragic accident, social media evidence like the SnapChat video may be the closest thing possible to a witness’ statement. The driver, his passenger and three people in the other car – a mother and her two children – were killed in the crash.

How social media can play a role in accident cases

Many people involved in car accidents have to take legal action to be compensated for their medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. However, the fast pace and extreme stress of most accident scenes can make it difficult to determine exactly what happened. As technology becomes more advanced and more prevalent in our everyday lives, some insurers and attorneys are turning to smartphones and social media for evidence.

If this accident results in a claim for wrongful death or the injuries sustained by a driver in a third vehicle, evidence like this SnapChat video could be used to build the case. In other cases across the U.S. and Canada, GPS data, fitness trackers and social media posts have all been used to strengthen or undermine injury claims.

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