Flock cameras have recently garnered significant media attention across the United States. Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are being used nationwide to assist law enforcement agencies with criminal investigations.
In this blog, we will discuss what Flock cameras are and how information captured by these cameras may be used in the investigation of Michigan car accidents.
What are Flock Cameras
Flock Safety is an American manufacturer of surveillance hardware and software. They currently produce PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, automated license plate readers (ALPRs), gunshot detection systems, DFR (drone as first responder) drones, and accompanying software for all of these devices.
Flock has partnered with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. A key feature of these partnerships is the widespread implementation of ALPRs. These ALPR cameras capture a variety of different details including license plate information, vehicle characteristics, location, and time.
The information captured by these cameras is stored in a searchable database. Authorized users can search the database to determine whether a particular vehicle was captured by a Flock camera at a particular time and location. When a vehicle is captured by multiple cameras, users can use this information to piece together the vehicle’s movements and better understand its whereabouts over time.
Why Are Flock Cameras Controversial?
Despite their widespread implementation, the use of Flock cameras has come under scrutiny in recent months. While some law enforcement agencies have touted their effectiveness in aiding criminal investigations, other departments have terminated their contracts with Flock Safety amid growing privacy concerns.
Some of the main concerns voiced by critics of Flock Safety include questions surrounding data ownership and whether the use of flock cameras violates citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights.
Can Flock Cameras Be Used to Investigate a Michigan Car Accident?
Even with the controversy surrounding the use of Flock cameras, there is no denying how effective these devices can be in assisting with criminal investigations. That effectiveness begs the question, could a Flock camera be used to investigate a car accident in Michigan? Unsurprisingly, the answer is yes – flock cameras can certainly be used to aid accident investigations, both by law enforcement and by accident attorneys.
The first and most obvious way that a Flock camera could assist in an accident investigation is in the case of a hit-and-run accident. “Over the course of my career handling automobile accidents, I have had literally thousands of hit-and-run cases where the offending driver was never brought to justice,” said David Femminineo, founder and personal injury attorney at Femminineo Law. “These Flock camera systems are already being used to identify hit and run drivers and hold them accountable for their actions.”
On August 23, 2026, a motorcyclist in Fraser Michigan was fatally struck by a driver who then fled the scene of the accident. Fraser police were able to use Flock camera footage to locate the driver and take them into custody shortly after the accident occurred.
Beyond identifying suspects in hit-and-run accidents, flock cameras can also aid Michigan car accident attorneys looking to investigate the circumstances surrounding an accident. Using the data captured by Flock cameras, an attorney might be able to:
- Identify other vehicles that may have contributed to an accident
- Identify potential eyewitnesses to an accident
- See what the at-fault driver’s vehicle looked like before and after a crash
- Obtain a clearer understanding of what occurred and when
While there are numerous potential uses for flock camera footage, it is important to remember that the footage captured by flock cameras is not stored forever. By default, data captured by flock cameras is stored for only seven days. For this reason, it is important to begin working with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident in order to allow them enough time to obtain evidence from Flock cameras.
Talk to an Experienced Michigan Car Accident Attorney
Evidence is crucial in Michigan car accident cases. Video footage, witness testimony, police reports, and medical records can all be used to support your account of what happened.
In addition to these more widely used forms of evidence, footage from Flock cameras is emerging as another strong potential source. Despite the privacy concerns surrounding the use of Flock cameras, the value of the footage captured by them should not be dismissed in the context of personal injury law.
At Femminineo Law, we seek every possible advantage for our clients. If there is a form of evidence available that can be used to help prove our client’s claim, we will obtain that evidence and ensure that it is used properly.
If you were injured in a car accident and want to discuss the difference that we can make in your case, give us a call at 855-65CRASH or schedule a free consultation with Femminineo Law today.
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