How a Car Dash Camera Can Help with Your Car Accident Case

How a Car Dash Camera Can Help with Your Car Accident Case

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that one of the biggest challenges is gathering enough evidence to support your claims. An increasing number of cars have a dashboard camera, also called a dashcam, and this tool can provide video evidence if you get hurt in an accident. In some cases, providing dashcam footage to the court can support your claim for compensation.

Contact SAM LAW OFFICE LLC to discuss the next steps if you were involved in a car accident. We can examine the specific factors influencing your case to determine how your dashcam evidence may be used. 

Dashcam Laws in Illinois

It is legal to use a dashcam in Illinois as long as you follow three important laws. Dashcams should be installed on the left-hand side of the dashboard and cannot obscure more than five square inches of the windshield from the driver’s view. If the dashcam records audio, you need to get every passenger’s consent before recording their voices. Additionally, Illinois prohibits people from recording police activity in public, which carries strict penalties. 

What Dashcam Video Can Show in an Accident Case

If you’ve filed a claim for an auto accident injury, you will be asked for details regarding the case so the court can determine who is at fault. Video evidence is difficult to dispute, so providing that proof can turn the outcome in your favor. 

Dashcams can show important details in an injury case, helping the court with its decision: 

• That you followed traffic laws
• How the accident happened
• The other driver’s apology or hostility
• Impairment by drugs or alcohol

Remembering the details of a car accident is often challenging. This is especially true as the weeks pass or after a particularly traumatic injury. With dashcam footage, the court can see valuable evidence, such as whether one car failed to stop at a red light or cut off the other driver. This evidence shows that you were not at fault and also shows the exact way the other driver broke the law. 

Many auto insurance claims take time due to “he said, she said” disputes. But with dashcam video, the evidence may help move the process along. While the footage may not provide conclusive evidence, it can still help as you develop your claim. 

Will My Dashcam Footage Hurt My Personal Injury Case?

While dashcam footage can work considerably in your favor, there are instances in which the evidence may have a detrimental effect. For instance, if the footage shows that you negligently caused an accident, the auto insurance company may be able to use it against you via a court order. After all, a dashcam shows how the accident occurred, whether you were the one at fault or not, so consider potential impacts alongside an attorney. 

If You Were Involved in an Accident, Contact An Attorney

Dashcam footage can further your claim after an accident and make it more likely to receive your due compensation. SAM LAW OFFICE LLC offers support every step of the way. If you were hurt in an auto accident, call our Illinois attorney today to discuss the next steps.