Yes. Most dash cam videos can be used to help prove fault in an insurance claim. Most videos could also serve as evidence if your car accident must be resolved in a California courtroom.
The Dash Cam Requirements in California
In many cases, footage recorded from a Dash Cam can serve as powerful evidence in a car accident, a pedestrian accident, a bicycle accident, or a motorcycle accident.
These devices are legal in California as long as they are placed in a spot that doesn’t block the driver’s view.
The footage they capture may help you prove who was at fault in an accident and also speed the arrival of a settlement check you need to pay your medical bills and get your vehicle fixed.
And the evidence doesn’t have to come from your own vehicle dash cam. Video from other sources can also serve your case. That might be important if you are a pedestrian or rider struck by a careless driver.
These are just a few of the options for dash cam evidence:
- A dash cam mounted in your vehicle
- A dash cam rolling in someone else’s vehicle (even in the person at fault’s vehicle)
- A dash cam in a commercial vehicle, like a delivery van or truck
- Footage from a security camera mounted on the front door of a house or on a business
In most cases, any dash cam video that doesn’t belong to you would have to be requested through legal means. Although a witness in another vehicle with a camera may turn that video over to you voluntarily.
An at-fault driver may not turn the video over willingly. A business vehicle may also be on the road with you and have a dash cam rolling. Your lawyer would request any video as part of a lawsuit from the other driver or a delivery company. Police officers may seize the video as part of an investigation.
It’s a good reminder that your own dash cam video can be used against you. Speak to a Southern California car accident lawyer to figure out when and where to use dash cam video for your case.
Should I Buy a Dash Cam?
If you can afford one, it’s a great protection to have, especially with the wild and crazy drivers on California freeways and boulevards.
In a collision, there can be several different views as to what happened. In some cases, it may just hinge on what you saw happen and what the other driver is willing to admit. There may be a great witness near the scene that can confirm who caused the accident.
A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer could use evidence to determine exactly how the collision unfolded. Not to mention, an insurance company with its own view of how it occurred, based on no evidence at all.
But all of these sources can contradict each other and make it hard to focus the spotlight on the truth. It’s why having a dash cam is about the only way to get undeniable, solid proof of your innocence.
What to Look For When Buying a Dash Cam
Having the right dash cam might also be key to winning a car accident claim and securing support to rebuild your life.
First, make sure any purchase you make complies with California law. That will usually involve the size of the unit and where it can be mounted. You can start by checking the letter of the law outlined in California Vehicle Code 26708.
A Dash Cam with these features may be the most helpful in an accident:
- Get a dash cam with high resolution
- Shop for one with night vision to capture any collisions after dark
- Get one with a wide-angle lens
- Get an impact sensor feature that automatically saves footage of a collision
- You may also want to spring for additional space for saving footage.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in California?
If your accident only involves car damage or very minor injuries, you may not require a lawyer’s help with your case. But if your injuries are serious, perhaps involving a neck or back injury, a broken bone, or head trauma, it’s a good idea to go over your case with a skilled attorney.
The higher your medical bills go, the harder insurance adjusters will fight to avoid blame and the more they’ll try to discount your injuries. Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, to set up an absolutely free car accident case consultation. We can help you gather the evidence you need to secure everything possible in a car accident settlement. That includes utilizing dash cam video to show that another driver was to blame for what happened.