Can Dash Cam Footage Help a Car Accident Claim?

Many drivers are turning to dash cameras for their vehicles. These devices can become a vital part of a claim if you are involved in an accident. Not only do they record your actions, but also those of the other drivers. That can give you indisputable evidence in a car accident case.

If you would like to learn more, let’s look at why you should consider adding a dash camera to your vehicle.

How Can Camera Footage Recorded From Your Car Dashboard Help With Your Crash Case?

The footage from your dash cam can be beneficial in the following ways if you’re involved in a car wreck in Jackson, MS:

Evidence Preservation

One of the best benefits of having a dash cam is the ability to preserve evidence in an accident. These devices provide continuous recording of video footage. With that, it gives an unbiased account of the events leading up to the accident, including the actions of other drivers, road conditions, and weather.

This footage can be used as evidence in legal proceedings and can be an essential part of your legal claim. Additionally, having a dash cam can help protect you against fraudulent insurance claims since the footage can be used to prove your innocence.

Determining Fault

In any car accident personal injury case, you will need to determine who’s at fault for the incident. Many times, the insurance companies will use statements and evidence in their investigations. While written accounts and memories of the incident can be unreliable, you will not have that issue with video footage.

A recording will provide an objective account of what happened, which can assist when it comes time to assign fault to one party over another. For example, if someone runs a red light and hits your car, the dash camera will show that violation, with no room for disputes. These cameras make sure that you are wrongly accused of causing the accident.

Assists with Hit and Run Incidents

Dash cams have proven to be useful in hit-and-run cases. If your car is struck by another vehicle and the driver flees the scene, the footage captured by a dash cam can help identify the responsible party.

By getting the license plate and appearance of the culprit, the footage can provide evidence to law enforcement in their efforts to track down the fleeing driver. This can also be used to hold the responsible party accountable and make sure that they are held liable for any damages or injuries caused in the hit and run incident.

False Claims Protection

Unfortunately, there are times when other drivers may falsely accuse you of causing an accident. In these cases, dash camera footage can refute baseless claims.

For example, if someone alleges that you rear-ended them, but the footage shows they abruptly changed lanes, the truth becomes clear. In this scenario, the footage can serve as concrete evidence to prove that you were not at fault. Not only does this help protect your driving record, but it also helps prevent you from being held liable for damages or injuries you didn’t cause.

Records Speed and Location Data

Many dash cameras have the ability to display speed, time, and GPS location on the recorded video. This information strengthens your case since it confirms important details like your speed, the road you were on, and the exact time of the incident. By providing this data, you can use this evidence in the event of an accident or other legal dispute.

What Information Will a Dash Cam Record?

These cameras are designed to record everything that happens on the road. With these features, you can store it on an internal memory card for future use. Here’s what they capture on the road:

• Road ahead footage: Dash cams use a wide-angle lens to record everything happening in front of your car. This footage includes the road, other vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic signals.
• Sudden changes in direction: Dash cams have a G-sensor that detects sudden changes, like during an accident. When triggered, it automatically saves the current footage to prevent overwriting.
• GPS data: This information can be helpful for proving that you were driving within the speed limit or that you weren’t at fault in an accident.

Not all cameras will record this information, so you need to choose one that can be a great resource in the event of a car crash.

Where to Place Your Camera?

When you purchase a dash cam, you will want to make sure it is in the right spot. You will want to affix it to a secure location on the front windshield, but it should never obstruct your view when you are driving.

Many people are also installing rear cameras. With that, you can also record the activities of drivers behind you. These videos can be crucial evidence, especially in rear-ended accidents.

Build a Strong Case for Your Car Accident Claim

When it comes time to file a legal claim against another driver, our legal team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, knows you need all the evidence you can get. We know that solid evidence, including dash cam footage, can be an invaluable resource for any personal injury claim.

Dash cameras are almost necessary when you hit the road, and they can often help to solidify your legal claims in a car accident case.