Using Dashcams to Strengthen Your Car Accident Claim

In today’s world of “he said, she said,” having concrete evidence can be the difference between winning and losing a car accident claim. Say hello to the dashcam – a small video camera mounted on your vehicle’s windshield or dashboard that continuously records the road ahead. These compact devices are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Dashcam footage can provide invaluable evidence to strengthen your car accident claim, significantly improving your chances of a fair outcome.

Unlike eyewitness accounts, which can be subjective and prone to memory lapses, dashcam footage offers an objective and unbiased perspective of what transpired during your accident. It captures the events leading up to your Kansas City car accident, the collision itself, and its immediate aftermath, providing a clear timeline and sequence of events. This visual proof can be incredibly persuasive when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Benefits of dashcam footage in a Kansas City car accident claim

There are numerous advantages to using dashcam footage in a car accident claim:

• Establishing fault: Dashcam footage can clearly show who caused the accident. Did the other driver run a red light? Were they texting and driving? Did they make an illegal lane change? Video can clearly demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, making it difficult for them to dispute responsibility.
• Documenting road conditions and weather: Weather conditions like rain, snow, or fog can play a role in accidents. Dashcam footage can capture these conditions, providing context and potentially lessening the liability on your part if the weather is a contributing factor.
• Capturing details: In the adrenaline-filled moments after an accident, important details can easily slip through the cracks. Dashcam footage can capture crucial details like license plate numbers, damage to vehicles, and the positioning of cars on the road, which might be overlooked or forgotten in the initial aftermath.
• Dispelling false accusations: Unfortunately, some drivers might try to fabricate a story or blame you for the accident. Dashcam footage can serve as a powerful defense, clearing you from false accusations and protecting your reputation.
• Strengthening witness testimony: While eyewitness accounts can be helpful, dashcam footage can add weight to their statements. The video can corroborate a witness’s testimony, creating a more compelling case.

What can dashcam video show?

The specific details captured by a dashcam will vary depending on the model and its field of view. However, most dashcams can record the following:

• The road ahead and surrounding traffic: This includes the actions of other drivers, road conditions, traffic signals, and pedestrians.
• The interior of your car: While not always necessary, some dashcams capture the car’s interior, which can be helpful in cases of disputed injuries or driver actions.
• The speed and direction of your vehicle: This information can be essential in establishing that you were not speeding or driving recklessly.

While dashcam footage can be a powerful tool, it’s important to understand its limitations and proper use:

• Legality: Dashcams are legal in both Missouri and Kansas. In Kansas, you must ensure the dashcam does not obstruct the windshield.
• Quality: Ensure your dashcam records in high-definition with a clear timestamp and date. Grainy or blurry footage might be less effective.
• Storage: Download and store your footage regularly. Most dashcams have limited storage capacity, and overwritten footage can’t be retrieved.
• Editing: Avoid editing or tampering with the footage. Edited footage might be deemed inadmissible in court.

What should I do after an accident if I have a dashcam?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and have dashcam footage, follow these steps:

• Secure the footage: Download the video from your dashcam and store it on a secure device with a backup.
• Contact a Kansas City car accident lawyer: Inform your lawyer about the existence of the footage and provide them with a copy. They can advise you on its best use in your case.
• Avoid sharing the footage: Do not share the footage with anyone except your lawyer and insurance company without their approval.

Remember, dashcams are a valuable investment for any driver. The ability to capture video evidence of an accident can significantly strengthen your claim and ensure you receive fair compensation. While dashcam footage isn’t a guarantee of a successful outcome, it can still be a powerful tool when handling the legal process after a Kansas City car accident.

Keep these other tips under consideration:

• Choose the right dashcam: There are various dashcam models available, with features and price points to suit different needs. Consider factors like video resolution, field of view, night vision capabilities, audio recording, and storage capacity.
• Invest in a reliable memory card: Choose a high-quality memory card with enough storage to hold your desired recording length. Consider a dashcam with continuous loop recording, which overwrites older footage when the card fills up, ensuring you always have recent footage available.
• Position your dashcam correctly: Mount your dashcam securely on your windshield, ensuring it has a clear view of the road ahead and doesn’t obstruct your driving vision. In Kansas, you can receive a ticket if the dashcam obstructs your windshield.
• Maintain your dashcam: Like any electronic device, proper maintenance is crucial. Clean the lens regularly to ensure optimal video quality. Check the battery or power source to ensure that it’s functioning correctly.

Car and Driver notes, “If you drive an older car, consider a dash cam loaded with integrated safety features, such as those often found standard in new vehicles. For instance, Garmin dash cams offer lane-departure warnings, while some Nextbase models can automatically call for help in case of an accident.”

While dashcam footage is most valuable in accident situations, it can also serve other purposes:

• Documenting road rage incidents: In cases of road rage or aggressive driving, dashcam footage can provide evidence of the other driver’s behavior.
• Helping with insurance fraud claims: In rare cases, dashcam footage can help expose insurance fraud attempts, such as staged accidents.
• Providing peace of mind: Knowing you have a record of your driving experience can offer peace of mind on the road. Dashcam footage can also help document scenic drives or capture unexpected events you encounter on the road.

Don’t leave your fate to chance after a car accident. Invest in a reliable dashcam to capture important video evidence, strengthen your claim, and ensure you receive fair compensation. Contact the team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys for a free consultation and learn how Kansas City’s Favorite Law Firm can help you work through the legal process after an accident. To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, just call our offices or submit our contact form. We are available any time at our main office in Kansas City, MO. You may also schedule an appointment at one of our other convenient office locations in Lee’s Summit, Parkville and St. Joseph (MO); Olathe, Kansas City, and Overland Park (KS).