How Can Dash Cam Footage Help Prove Your Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?

If you’ve ever been in a motor vehicle accident, you understand that it’s a very stressful situation, especially if you’ve sustained any injuries. If the other involved driver of the accident was at fault for the crash and you’re looking to seek financial compensation for your injuries and/or any damage to your vehicle, you’ll need to file a personal injury lawsuit.

While evidence like witness testimonies and photos of the crash scene helps establish what occurred after the accident, your vehicle’s dash cam footage also captures the footage of what occurred before and during the accident, as well as after. If you’ve sustained injuries from a car accident, a committed Texas car accident attorney can help you gather the required evidence you need and navigate the whole process to ensure the outcome of a successful claim.

Are Dash Cams Legal in Texas? 

In Texas, the use of dash cams is lawful as long as you’re not violating other laws of the state, such as:

• Airbag obstruction laws: It’s prohibited to attach any objects to your vehicle’s dashboard that would obstruct airbag deployment in any way.
• Windshield obstruction laws: Drivers can’t operate vehicles with any materials or objects attached to the windshield, rear window, or side window that obstructs or reduces their clear view.
• Distracted driving laws: Dash cams shouldn’t distract the driver when in use, and all live video footage displayed on the dash cam monitor shouldn’t be in the driver’s line of sight.
• Audio recording restrictions: Audio recording must be disclosed to all vehicle passengers unless you’re part of the conversation.

If you’re using a vehicle dash cam, it’s best to keep it out of the way, muted, and out of your line of sight. It should never be allowed to obstruct your view of the road. It’s a good idea to keep your dash cam in the corner of your vehicle on the passenger side so that it won’t obstruct your view of the road and traffic.

Can You Use Dash Cam Footage as Evidence in Texas? 

You absolutely can use the footage of your dash cam as evidence. In fact, videos obtained from dash cams make some of the best evidence in car accident cases. They often are one of the biggest blessings in regards to seeking and receiving the compensation you’re entitled to after a car accident that left you injured.

Dash cams are everywhere these days, and with the increase in their use on police vehicles, they’ve been vastly making their way into the general public. Insurance companies in some countries even encourage their insured drivers to use dash cams in their vehicles to help show evidence that helps prove or disprove liability.

The reason why dash cams prove to be so helpful in Texas car accidents is that they provide proof. The proof that’s caught on film doesn’t tell a lie. Regardless of how many individuals were in the other vehicle that struck you, it’s no longer their word against yours. The dash cam footage will show the proof and may become very helpful to your case in a courtroom.  will typically be taken much more seriously in court.

The dash cam footage of the vehicle accident will benefit you immensely in that it will ensure the opposing insurer must accept liability on behalf of the negligence of their client. And, you have every right to pursue compensation for your injuries that left you hurting and requiring a doctor. The footage from your dash cam will help prove the insurance company’s client was at fault and not you, making it easier for you to collect a fair settlement.

When Is Footage From a Dash Cam Considered Useful? 

Footage from a dash cam shows the behaviors of a driver that affirm that the driver was acting negligently or was at fault. For example, if an injury victim states that a driver of another car was driving recklessly before they merged into their lane and crashed into them, the dash cam footage moments before the car swerved and caused the accident is likely beneficial.

Likewise, if a driver who is guilty of hit-and-run states they’re being misidentified, your dash cam footage can clearly show the license plate number of their vehicle right after a front-end crash. The video from the dash cam may provide solid evidence of fault.

Not All Dash Cam Footage Is Admissible in Court 

There are certain limitations to when footage from a dash cam is admissible. For instance, these cameras aren’t allowed to record anything occurring on private property. Therefore, if you’ve been struck in a parking lot of a grocery store, the footage of your dash cam might be inadmissible.

That said, you may still be able to use the footage in a different way, even if it doesn’t make it to court. The footage of your dash cam can still show the exact cause of the accident, so it might be able to provide you with certain clues as to where else you may obtain evidence that benefits your case.

For instance, the footage of your dash cam might show that moment right before you were struck. The driver of the other vehicle was driving at an excessive speed and almost hit another vehicle. Your dash cam may have caught that driver’s license plate number, which you can then contact that driver and see if you can obtain eyewitness testimony that could benefit your lawsuit.

Contact Dale Rose Today to Hire a Skilled Texas Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Car Accident Case

If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s a good idea to call on the help of an experienced car accident lawyer like Dale Rose in Texas. Dale Rose and his committed legal team will help you navigate each step of the claims process, ensuring your legal rights stay protected. He’ll obtain the required evidence needed to prove the negligence of the other driver, including obtaining dash cam footage.

When the insurer disputes liability, or the at-fault driver denies they’re the cause of the accident that led to your injuries, having dash cam footage is often handy to prove fault. Dale Rose and his legal team may assist you in using this footage to your advantage. Call us today at (972) 634-7673 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation and begin the process of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries.