Many drivers today may consider whether they should install a dash cam in case they are involved in an accident or pulled over for an alleged traffic violation. Footage captured can provide automatic evidence of your innocence in an accident or get you quickly off the hook for a ticket in some situations. However, sometimes whether dash cam footage is useful depends on a few other factors.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak discuss when dash cam footage can provide strong evidence as well as some of the disadvantages you could encounter.
If you are injured in a car accident because of distracted or impaired driving or other types of negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. Set up your free legal consultation with one of our licensed attorneys. Since there is no cost and no obligation to hire us, there is also no risk to you.
Benefits of Using Dash Cam Footage as Evidence
A dash cam provides a visual account of an accident, which is more reliable than if you try to relate the details from memory. Camera footage does not favor one driver over another, it simply presents the accident as it occurred.
Having video footage is also stronger than any eyewitness statement. While witness statements can be useful in building the argument for your claim, human memories are not flawless, and important details are often forgotten. Most accidents are so fast-moving that even an eyewitness may not have captured key contributing factors, such as what was happening immediately before the crash.
Having an accurate and tangible account of your car accident can provide your insurance company with strong evidence of liability that is difficult to argue. If your insurance company accepts this evidence, it could help to expedite your claim.
Dash Cam Disadvantages
As with every form of technology, there are disadvantages, and this is also true of dash cam footage. Insurance companies may try to claim that your footage may have been altered or edited to support your statement about the other driver’s involvement in the crash.
Other issues that could impact whether your footage is useful includes:
- The dash cam was placed incorrectly, so the footage captured did not show what happened
- The footage does not capture enough of the accident to prove liability
- The crash happened to a part of your vehicle not covered by your dash cam
- The dash cam footage reveals you may have contributed to the accident or works against you in other ways
If you have dash cam footage from a car crash, we strongly recommend that you speak to a licensed attorney to learn how you can validate and protect this file for potential use in a car crash claim.
Laws That May Restrict Usage
Installing a dash cam in your vehicle in Indiana is legal, although there are specific requirements as to how and where it may be placed. We strongly recommend that you research local laws before installing a dash cam. In general, they may be mounted at the bottom of your windshield but must not obstruct your view while driving.
Other issues you may encounter could involve legal issues if others are in your car. Privacy laws may prevent you from being able to record audio inside your vehicle without notifying other occupants in your car and getting their consent.
Contact an Attorney for Legal Help With Your Claim
If you were involved in an accident that was captured by your dash cam, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we offer a free consultation to discuss whether you may have grounds for a case. If your dash cam footage provides strong evidence that someone else caused your crash, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your damages.
Our firm has representatives available to 24/7 to set up your free consultation with one of our South Bend car accident lawyers. There is no obligation to hire our services after this meeting, but if you do, there are no fees to pay – up front or until we obtain compensation on your behalf.
Call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak today to learn more: (844) 678-1800
