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Can Dash Cam Video Influence My Car Accident Case?

November 13, 2021
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For better or worse, surveillance videos are nearly everywhere these days. In fact, many car accident victims have benefited from such footage. Having videographic evidence of the moments leading up to a motor vehicle accident and the accident itself can often be invaluable to victims and their families. Unfortunately, many car accident victims could have received better compensation if there was a video revealing how their injuries occurred and how the other party was negligent.

This may lead some to wonder if it’s worth investing in a dashcam. It certainly seems like a convenient answer to potentially protecting yourself against negligent drivers on the road. However, it might not be all that you think it’s cracked up to be. You and your Bay Area car accident lawyer may find that it actually negatively impacts your claim.

Are Dash Cams Legal?

Generally, dashcams are legal in California. However, if you are going to place one in your vehicle, you need to know that:

  • California laws dictate where you can place the camera—if it’s not put in the right location, you could face legal consequences.
  • You must either turn off the audio recording or post a notice inside your vehicles so that passengers know they are being recorded. If they don’t consent to be recorded, you must turn off the audio recording.

Can a Dashcam Recording Help My Injury Case?

A dashcam recording can help your injury case, but it can also harm it. It all depends on what the video reveals. Keep in mind that insurance companies are generally not on their claimants’ sides. Therefore, they will do whatever they can to ensure they either don’t have to pay on their claim or can pay as little as possible. 

If you have a dashcam recording from your accident, they have the legal right to see it, even if you don’t want it used as evidence. Suppose that recording shows you doing anything that could be considered negligent, even if you weren’t being careless. In that case, the insurance company will do everything they can to use it to their advantage. Having such a recording could backfire on your personal injury claim. 

Keep in mind that the quality of a dashcam video can vary. If your video is of poor quality, doesn’t have a wide enough angle, or has technical issues, it may not show what you need it to show to help your case.

If you already have a dashcam that recorded your car accident, be sure to bring that to the attention of your Bay Area car accident attorney as soon as you first meet with them. They will want to view the recording and know more about it. They can explain how it might help or hurt your claim and what can be done about it.

Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Bay Area Car Accident Attorney Today

Having a dashcam video can potentially be helpful in many different accident situations. If you have a dashcam that recorded your accident, speak to an experienced Bay Area car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t destroy the video but don’t discuss it with others either. The best way to handle the matter is to bring it to the attention of your attorney and let them determine what steps need to be taken next. Contact Bogaards Law today to schedule your no-obligation car accident consultation.

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