What Role Does Dashcam Footage Play in Car Accident Claims?
Our attorneys can gather compelling evidence to build your case and fight for maximum compensation
Dashcams are those small video cameras mounted on car dashboards or windshields. They have become increasingly common on Florida roads. These devices continuously record the view through the windshield.
They capture everything from scenic drives to unexpected car accidents. However, their role extends far beyond preserving road trip memories. Dashcams can be powerful tools in car accident cases.
Most dashcams plug into a car's cigarette lighter or USB port and start recording automatically when the car starts. They use loop recording, which means they continuously record over old footage, so the camera never runs out of storage space.
Modern dashcams can capture high-definition video, audio, GPS data, and even g-force measurements. Some advanced models feature multiple cameras to record both the front and rear views of a car's interior.
This data collection can provide a wealth of information about the circumstances surrounding a car accident. For example, a front-facing dashcam can capture a head-on collision, intersection accident, or sideswipe, while a rear-facing dashcam can capture rear-end collisions.
Can courts use dashcam footage as evidence?
Florida courts accept dashcam footage as evidence in car accident lawsuits. However, like any form of evidence, it must meet certain criteria to be admissible. For example, the footage must be relevant to the case, authentic, and not tampered with.
Courts also consider the quality of the footage and whether it shows a fair and accurate representation of the events.
However, this only applies if negotiations with insurance companies fail. Fortunately, most car accident cases are settled out of court, but if the insurance companies refuse to settle, the legal team at Armando Personal Injury Law will be prepared to take your case to trial and present the evidence before a judge and jury.
How does dashcam footage help establish liability after a collision?
Dashcam footage is often treated similarly to more established forms of video evidence. However, as dashcams become more prevalent, courts are developing more specific guidelines for their use in legal proceedings.
Dashcam footage can provide an objective account of the events leading to your car accident and help establish fault and liability.
One of the biggest advantages of dashcam footage is its ability to counter false claims or conflicting witness statements. In many car accident cases, the involved parties may have different recollections of the crash. This may be due to the stress of the moment or, in some cases, deliberate misrepresentation.
Dashcam footage can cut through these discrepancies and show exactly what happened in the moments leading up to and during the accident. For example, it can provide irrefutable evidence of speeding, failure to yield, reckless driving, or other traffic law violations.
What are the potential drawbacks of using dashcam footage?
While dashcam footage can be incredibly helpful, it's not without its limitations. One common issue is incomplete or unclear footage. Depending on the camera's position and the circumstances of your crash, the footage might not capture the entire incident or might be obstructed by glare, weather conditions, or other factors.
There's also the potential for misinterpretation. Without context, dashcam footage can sometimes be misleading. For example, a video might show a car swerving but not reveal that the driver was avoiding a hazard off-camera. This is why dashcam evidence is typically used in conjunction with other forms of evidence and witness testimony.
How do insurance companies view dashcam footage?
Many insurers now encourage their policyholders to install dashcams, sometimes offering discounts on premiums. From the insurer's perspective, dashcams can help reduce fraudulent claims and speed up the claims process.
When it comes to processing claims, dashcam footage can be a valuable tool for insurance adjusters. It can help them quickly determine fault and assess the extent of damages, potentially leading to faster claim resolutions. In cases where fault is clear from the footage, it may even prevent the need for lengthy and costly legal proceedings.
How do I obtain dashcam footage after a car accident?
If you captured footage of the crash from your dashcam, you can simply extract it from your device. However, you should act fast. Depending on the size of your SD card or internal storage, dashcam footage may only be available for up to 50 hours before it's overwritten.
If you don't have a dashcam, you may be able to obtain footage from a witness at the crash scene.
Look for vehicles that might have witnessed your car accident and check for visible dashcams. Then, politely approach drivers and ask if their dashcam may have captured the crash. If they agree to help, exchange contact information and arrange for a way to obtain the footage (e.g., email, USB transfer).
What other evidence will a Florida car accident lawyer use to build my case?
Dashcam footage alone isn't always sufficient enough to build a compelling car accident case. An attorney will use dashcam footage alongside other evidence to help establish the facts, including:
- Police Reports: The official police report can provide unbiased details and findings from the crash scene, including diagrams, driver and witness statements, and any citations issued.
- Witness statements: Testimonies from witnesses who saw your car accident can corroborate the dashcam footage and provide additional perspectives and details.
- Photographs and videos: Photos and videos taken at the crash scene may include vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signals. This can complement the dashcam footage.
- Medical records: Documentation of injuries sustained in your car accident may include emergency room visits, doctor’s reports, treatment records, and rehabilitation notes. These records can establish the extent of physical harm and the need for treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement.
- Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction experts can analyze the dashcam footage and other evidence to provide a professional opinion on how your collision occurred and who was at fault.
- Vehicle Damage Reports: Vehicle damage assessments and repair estimates from auto body shops can show the extent of damage to your vehicle and support your claim for property damage.
Don't wait to get the legal representation you need after a car accident
If you were injured in a crash in Florida, don't let insurance companies downplay your claim. The attorneys at Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa have experience fighting for car accident victims just like you. We know how to leverage evidence to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Our case results speak for themselves. We've secured settlements ranging from $50,000 for whiplash injuries to multi-million dollar outcomes in complex cases where insurance companies initially denied responsibility.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and allow you to ask questions. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
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