The Role of Dashcam Footage in Arkansas Car Accident Claims

A serious car accident can upend your life in the blink of an eye. You may be facing a difficult physical recovery, emotional trauma, and financial instability. In the aftermath of such an incident, proving the fault and liability of the responsible party is a key step in gaining restitution for what you have gone through.

That said, determining who is at fault can be a challenging process. In such cases, dashcam footage may provide crucial evidence of exactly how the car accident occurred.

In this article, we will look into the potential impact and benefits of dashcam footage when pursuing an Arkansas car accident claim.

Understanding Dashcams

Dashcams have become increasingly popular in recent years. These compact video cameras, mounted on your dashboard or behind the rearview mirror, capture what takes place in front of your vehicle. Some models also record audio and video inside the car. The dashcam starts recording automatically when the ignition is turned on.

While dashcam footage is generally admissible in Arkansas courts, it is important to remember that dashcam recordings are unbiased. It may be that the footage clearly shows another driver causing the incident, but at the same time any negligent or careless actions on your part will also be recorded.

The Benefits of Driving With a Dashcam

Many drivers feel a dashcam is a valuable asset when on the road. The benefits of having a dashcam include such things as:

• Increased peace of mind: Knowing that you have a record of any unforeseen incidents when you’re behind the wheel can increase your driving confidence.
• Protection against erroneous claims: Dashcam footage can protect you from false or exaggerated claims by other drivers or their insurance company in the event of an accident.
• Improved driving habits: Being aware that your driving is being recorded can motivate you to uphold safe driving practices and laws.

Having a dashcam may be a factor in preventing a car accident. However, in the event that a crash does occur, the video and audio recordings can be used to determine liability and support your version of events.

Using Dashcam Footage as Evidence in Your Car Accident Claim

When establishing liability in a car accident claim, the insurance company will likely consider any dashcam footage to be valuable evidence. Your dashcam may capture the events leading up to, during, and immediately following the vehicle accident. 

Dashcam footage may reveal important contributing factors in how the accident happened, such as:

• Traffic violations, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to properly yield
• Distracted driving or reckless driving
• Intoxicated or otherwise impaired driving
• A driver’s aggressive or hostile behavior

Additionally, a dashcam may capture the other person admitting fault or apologizing for causing the car accident. Thus, clear evidence from dashcam recordings can help you maximize your compensation amount and settle your car accident claim in a timely manner.

The Importance of Preserving Dashcam Evidence

Dashcams record continuously, saving the most recent footage and overwriting the oldest when the storage is full. Therefore, in the event of an accident, it is vital that you act to preserve the video recording as soon as possible.

To ensure that the dashcam footage remains intact and admissible in your accident claim, you will want to:

• Save multiple copies of the recordings: Make several copies of the dashcam footage and store them in different locations, such as an external hard drive, your computer, and a cloud storage service.
• Refrain from editing or altering the recordings: Make sure to keep the footage in its original form, unedited. Tampering with the video may put the authenticity of the recording into question and damage its credibility.
• Consult a car accident attorney: An experienced car accident lawyer can advise you on the best way to preserve and use dashcam footage to bolster your claim.

Depending on the circumstances of your auto accident, dashcam footage can play an important role in successfully resolving the accident claim in your favor. With that in mind, it is advantageous to diligently preserve this vital evidence in a timely manner.

Actions to Take If Your Video Footage is Disputed

Dashcam evidence may in itself be enough for the insurance company to settle your car accident case without going to trial. However, in an effort to pressure you to accept a low-ball settlement offer, insurance adjusters will likely work to undermine the validity of your dashcam evidence.

If the other driver disputes the authenticity or credibility of your dashcam footage, a personal injury lawyer can assist you by:

• Retaining expert witnesses: An industry expert in video analysis can examine the footage and testify to its authenticity on your behalf.
• Gathering and presenting supporting evidence: Other evidence such as police reports, law enforcement records, eye-witness statements, and medical records can be used to substantiate the dashcam footage.
• Challenging the other party’s claims: A knowledgeable lawyer will cross examine the other driver to reveal inconsistencies in his or her claim.

When your dashcam footage is disputed by the insurance company, don’t lose heart. Consult with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible – an attorney can go to bat for you, ensuring that all relevant evidence is lawfully put to work on your behalf.

Contact an Understanding Arkansas Car Accident Lawyer for Advice

Serious auto accidents can leave you physically and emotionally exhausted. Under such circumstances, trying to navigate the insurance system or pursue a personal injury lawsuit can feel like an overwhelming endeavor. This is no time to go it alone.

The car accident lawyers of Minton Law Firm can help you through every step of the process. Our legal team is adept at using all available evidence, including dashcam footage, to help Arkansas car accident victims get the compensation they deserve after a devastating accident. 

As a former insurance adjuster himself, Attorney Justin Minton knows the insurance industry backwards and forwards. If the insurance company denies your claim, he is especially qualified to challenge their decision and has made sure his legal team members are also ready to handle the complications.

At Minton Law Firm, the future well-being of each of our clients is a priority. Call us today at 855-Xadjuster or complete our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. We believe that every car accident victim deserves strong legal representation.