The Role of Dashcam Footage in Car Accident Claims

Dashcams are often associated with law enforcement vehicles and commercial drivers, but more and more everyday drivers are installing cameras in their cars. Dashcams offer reliable, impartial records of events on the road, which benefits drivers who want peace of mind and a sense of security to protect themselves, especially when dealing with a car accident case.

How Dashcam Footage Can Serve as Critical Evidence in North Carolina Car Accident Cases

Dashcam footage serves as critical evidence in the North Carolina car accident claims process for various reasons, including these examples:

• Hit-and-run crashes – Dashcams can capture the fleeing vehicle’s license plate, make, and model, aiding in identifying the at-fault driver.
• Intersection accidents – Footage can provide irrefutable evidence of which vehicle had the right of way, including whether drivers adhered to traffic signals or stop signs.
• Rear-end collisions – The evidence dashcam footage provides can show whether a driver was following too closely or if the lead driver made a sudden stop without reason or had nonfunctional brake lights.
• Sideswipe accidents – The video can verify lane positions and whether a driver attempted an unsafe lane change or veered out of their lane.

North Carolina’s Legal Perspective on Dashcam Evidence

You can install and use a dashcam in North Carolina, as the state does not have any dashcam laws governing the usage or placement of the cameras in your vehicle. Still, it’s best to ensure your dashcam doesn’t distract you or block your visibility while driving.

If you don’t have your own dashcam, you might be able to obtain footage from other sources. Can you request dashcam footage from the police? In many cases, yes, you can. Police dashcam recordings may be obtainable through a records request, although certain restrictions may apply due to ongoing investigations.

Benefits of Dashcam Footage in Establishing Fault

Do dashcams help with car accidents? They can in many circumstances. Dashcam videos can provide several benefits when determining fault in a car accident, including:

• Objective evidence – Unlike human witness accounts, dashcams don’t forget or misinterpret events. They present the events as they occurred, not as remembered. Video from a dashboard camera can provide concrete evidence to resolve conflicting accounts about the critical moments when the accident occurred.
• Real-time recording – Dashcam videos capture the incident as it happens, including clear evidence of critical details like traffic signals, road conditions, signs, and weather conditions. Videos can provide visual evidence of driver behavior, such as reckless driving and other drivers violating traffic laws.
• Reduced disputes – Video evidence can encourage faster settlements by eliminating ambiguity about fault and supporting insurance claims. The footage can corroborate witness statements or contradict inaccurate statements when disputes arise with insurance companies.

Steps to Preserve and Use Dashcam Recordings

To make sure your dashcam footage strengthens your car accident claim and is admissible in court, you should:

• Secure the recording. Save the video immediately to prevent overwriting or accidental deletion. Make sure you have enough storage space to save the footage in full.
• Avoid altering the video. Do not edit the video, even for clarity, brevity, or to adjust the lighting. Courts could dismiss the evidence if there’s suspicion of tampering.
• Share videos with your lawyer. Have your attorney review the footage. They can determine the best way to present the video to support your claim.

Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for Legal Guidance

If you have a dashcam video, preserving it is critical to supporting your claim. The experienced car accident attorneys at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, can help collect, preserve, and present valuable evidence to fight for the maximum compensation you need. We’ve been helping clients for over 40 years, putting them first by offering free consultations and collecting fees only if we win. Contact us today.