How Dashcam Footage Can Impact a Car Accident Case

How Dashcam Footage Can Impact a Car Accident Case

Technology has done a lot to make life easier, and the world of personal injury law proves that. Car crashes used to come down to “he said/she said” evidence, making it hard for both sides to come to a fair settlement agreement. Technological advances have given lawyers and insurance companies the tools they need to understand how an accident happened and who is at fault.

Dashcams are a great example of that. They provide a neutral record of the accident itself and the events leading up to it. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, find out how your dashcam footage could affect your claim.

If you’re seeking compensation for your car accident injuries, it’s time to talk to a personal injury attorney. Call Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370 to set up a meeting now.

Proof of Your Claim

The key benefit of a dashcam is its neutral recording of events. When you and the other party talk to the police, you’ll each have your own story to tell. Usually, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. In some situations, the other party will blatantly lie to try to get out of trouble. This can make it difficult to prove your innocence, especially if the physical evidence is inconclusive.

With dashcam footage, you can show indisputable proof that the other party is attempting to cover their tracks. This often pushes their insurance company toward a quick settlement.

Clear dashcam footage can also corroborate the details of your accident. Get insight regarding the other party’s speed, their behavior prior to the accident, and weather conditions that may have contributed to the crash.

Specific Timestamps

Timestamps can also be useful in an accident claim. By analyzing dashcam footage, an insurance adjuster or attorney can calculate a driver’s speed and determine whether or not they were driving recklessly. If specific claims are made regarding weather conditions, timestamps may prove or disprove those claims. For example, if a driver claims they were blinded by the sun and that’s what caused the crash, you can use the timestamps to figure out if the sun would have been in that position at that time.

Evidence of Your Safe Driving

Not only can dashcam footage prove the other party’s unsafe driving, it can also provide proof of your safe driving habits. If the dashcam footage shows that you take turns slowly, use your turn signal appropriately, and drive at an appropriate speed, it will be much harder for the other party to claim that you were driving like a maniac. If your attorney can juxtapose your safe driving against the other party’s reckless driving habits, your claim will be even stronger.

Remember That a Dashcam is Neutral

Of course, all of this assumes that you were not at fault for the accident and that you took appropriate precautions before the accident. But you have to remember that the dashcam is not “on your side.” It presents the accident exactly as it occurred. That means that if your negligence caused the accident, your own dashcam footage could be used against you.

Some drivers believe that they can simply refuse to hand over the footage or delete it before the other party’s attorney asks for it. This is a bad idea that can complicate your claim even more. The other party’s insurance company or attorney can subpoena the footage, and intentionally deleting it could be seen as obstruction. Even if you are at fault for an accident, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney about your obligations and your options. If you did cause a crash, the last thing you want to do is look like you are trying to hide important evidence.

Keep in mind that footage from before the crash can also be damning for you. If your dashcam captures audio, it could catch you complaining about how tired you are, saying that you can’t see because of the sun, or talking on the phone while driving. Any of this could seriously damage your claim.

Contact Peake & Fowler Now

Not sure what your next step is after a car accident? It’s time to talk to Peake & Fowler. Set up a consultation right away by calling us at 803-788-4370 or getting in touch online. Our team of Columbia, SC attorneys is ready to represent you.