What Should I Do with Dash Cam Footage After My Car Accident?
A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Given technological advancements, many motorists have installed dash cams to record while driving continuously. While the type of dash cam you purchase will depend heavily on your price point, the footage it captures may be key to supporting your car accident case. If you are willing to spend a few extra bucks, a higher-end camera may provide much-needed clarity to secure the compensation you deserve.
Our car accident lawyers in Commerce can represent you if you or a loved one has been injured in a crash.
What is a Dash Cam?
Mounted to your windshield, rear-view mirror, or dashboard, a dash cam records video footage while your vehicle is running. It will record video of the road and sometimes footage of the inside of your car. Most dash cams run on a “loop,” recording over older footage. Some dash cams even have impact detection, recording a few seconds before and after an impact is detected.
Are Dash Cams Legal in Georgia?
Many states permit the use of dashcams while driving. According to Georgia Code § 40-8-7, a dash cam is legal if it does not obstruct the driver’s view of the road. Although all 50 states allow a dash cam while driving, certain restrictions regarding the size or legality of recording conversations may apply.
What Should I Do with Dash Cam Footage?
If you have been in an accident while traveling in The Peach State, you will want to download dash cam footage and save it to an external hard drive. Any accident record may be helpful when submitting your claim to insurance. Dash cam footage may pick up critical details of your crash, pointing to the other party’s negligence. Make sure that you preserve any dash cam evidence.
If you have dash cam evidence to substantiate your accident case, you must speak with our car accident lawyers in Commerce to discuss how to proceed. At Banks, Stubbs, & McFarland, LLP, our legal team will assess your video footage and discuss how to utilize the evidence in the best way to achieve a full and fair recovery from the insurance company.
Can You Use Dash Cam Footage at Trial?
Georgia does allow the admission of dashcam footage in court, but judges will base its admissibility based on specific criteria:
- Relevance: The footage captured must be relevant to your accident case. According to Ga. Code § 24-9-923, “…photographs, motion pictures, video recordings, and audio recordings shall be admissible in evidence when necessitated by the unavailability of a witness….” Whether there were no eyewitnesses or a witness lacks credibility, dash cam footage may be admitted into evidence in its place.
- Quality: The video must depict the crash reasonably clearly, with adequate lighting and no obstructions.
- Authenticity: You must be able to testify to the dash cam footage's authenticity, i.e., it is what it purports to be. You will want to establish that the video footage fairly and accurately shows the crash so that it can be admitted into evidence in court.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Commerce Today
A motor vehicle accident can take you by surprise, causing severe injuries in mere seconds. Insurance companies are often unwilling to pay the amount that is rightfully yours. Suppose you or a family member have been injured in a collision. In that case, the attorneys at Banks, Stubbs, & McFarland, LLP, are not afraid to advocate for full and fair compensation, even if that means pursuing lengthy litigation.
To learn more about our legal services or to schedule your initial consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Commerce, contact us online at (770) 887-1209.