How Dashcam Footage Helps Injury Cases
Dashcams have many benefits. They can be used to support your personal injury claim if a negligent driver causes a crash when you’re on the road. Dashcams also help discourage theft or vandalism when your car is parked.
Dashcams are growing in popularity. As this technology advances, they’re becoming more affordable, and automakers are starting to build dashcams into new vehicles.
If you’ve been injured in a crash, you’ll want to contact a Cleveland car accident attorney as soon as possible. The video from your dashcam may strengthen the claim but it can also be used against you. Your attorney will review your dashcam footage and advise you on the best way to proceed with your claim.
Using Dashcams in Ohio
A dashcam is a digital video recorder that continuously records the view through the vehicle’s front windshield. Dashcams may also include a rear window view, and some dashcams record what’s happening inside the cabin.
Every state has different rules about how dashcams can be used and when you’re allowed to record other people’s actions. If you have a dashcam in Ohio, these rules apply:
- It cannot obstruct the driver’s ability to concentrate on the road.
- You’re not allowed to record a conversation without permission.
- It can be used while driving in most public places.
- Police can use dashcams if it doesn’t interfere with their professional duties.
How Dashcam Evidence Is Used in Court
If a dashcam is in use when a motor vehicle accident occurs, it may be used as evidence. Drivers are not allowed to destroy dashcam footage after an accident, and it may be subpoenaed by the police.
Courts generally consider dashcam evidence to be highly credible. It can be used to help determine how an accident happened, who was involved, and who is at fault.
If there’s dashcam footage, the judge will review it and then decide if it’s intelligible enough to be used as evidence in your case.
Dashcam footage can bolster your personal injury case in the following ways:
- Provide clear evidence of what transpired.
- Support your version of events.
- Help identify a hit-and-run driver.
- Establish liability.
- Indicate the severity of the crash.
- Demonstrate which laws were broken.
- Provide a timeline for the accident.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
If you were harmed in an accident, dial 911. Check to see if anyone in your vehicle requires first aid. If you feel up to it, you can use your cell phone camera to record pictures of the accident scene and vehicle damage.
See your doctor right away and report any symptoms you may be feeling. Some injuries, such as whiplash and concussions, can get a lot worse over time, and you’ll want to make sure you’re receiving the right treatment.
Collect contact information from all witnesses and other drivers involved in the crash. Request a copy of the police report and keep records for all your medical appointments. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away and share all the evidence you have, including your dashcam footage.
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If you were harmed in a crash, your Cleveland personal attorney will investigate the accident and file a claim against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries.
Insurance companies try to save money in any way they can. But George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law is always prepared to take the insurance company to court if they refuse to make a reasonable offer that covers the true cost of your injuries and other expenses, such as time missed from work.
Call George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law, at (216) 621-3930 to learn more today.