The Importance of Dashcam Footage in Proving Liability
April 25, 2025
If you’re involved in a car accident, dashcam footage accident proof can serve as a critical piece of evidence to demonstrate the at-fault party’s liability and support your claim. However, simply possessing dashcam footage doesn’t guarantee that the responsible driver or their insurance company will do the right thing. That’s why you need dependable legal representation from an experienced team of car accident attorneys like Wapner Newman.
Here’s what you should know about dashcam footage and how it can help you establish liability after you’re involved in an auto accident.
What Is Dashcam Footage, and Why Does It Matter?
A dashcam is a small video camera mounted on a vehicle’s dashboard or windshield that records what happens in front of, behind, or inside the vehicle. Some models even capture 360-degree views.
Dashcam video can provide an unbiased visual account of an incident on the road. Unlike personal testimony, video footage is objective and time-stamped. As such, it’s very difficult to dispute, especially if the video captured key elements of the crash, such as the other party running a red light.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident? Call (215) 569-0900 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer.
How Dashcam Footage Can Help Prove Liability
Video evidence of your crash can help your attorney demonstrate the other party’s liability. The capable car accident attorneys at Wapner Newman can use dashcam video evidence to do all of the following:
Review the Sequence of Events
Our legal team will review the dashcam video to break down what happened and why. During this process, we’ll look for specific violations or actions that demonstrate the other party’s negligence, which is a prerequisite for recovering damages in many cases. Some examples of negligence are speeding, running stop signs, or texting while driving.
Protect Your Right to Compensation
It’s possible that the at-fault party or their insurance company may try to shift the blame to you. In the worst case, false claims or embellishments regarding your degree of fault could harm your ability to recover compensation.
The good news is that Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule that allows plaintiffs to recover damages for various losses as long as their degree of negligence is less than that of the accused party. Dashcam evidence can show that the other driver was primarily responsible for your crash, thereby safeguarding your right to compensation.
Resolve Hit-and-Run Incidents
If the at-fault driver flees the scene, dashcam footage can capture important identifying information, such as the make and model of their vehicle, their license plate number, or their direction of travel. Law enforcement officials can use these details to track down the responsible party. If they’re identified, Wapner Newman can use the available evidence to support your claim for compensation.
Back Up Witness Testimony
While eyewitness accounts can be helpful, they’re not always accurate. Dashcam footage serves as a useful verification tool to corroborate witness statements. It can also be used to disprove false testimony presented by biased witnesses, such as passengers who were in the negligent party’s vehicle at the time of the crash.
Is Dashcam Footage Admissible in Court?
Car accident dashcam footage is usually admissible in court and during negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurer, as long as it’s:
- Relevant to the case
- Legally obtained
- In its original form.
If you’ve been involved in a collision and have car accident dashcam evidence, make it a point to save and preserve it as quickly as possible. Don’t edit the video or share it on social media, as doing so could hurt your case.
Dashcam video evidence can be a critical component of your case, but you’ll need an experienced legal professional to leverage it at the negotiating table and in court. The attorneys at Wapner Newman have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and know what it takes to build a strong case.
Can You Use the Other Party’s Dashcam Footage?
Yes, but it’s unlikely that the other party will willingly surrender it. In many instances, your attorney will need to file a formal motion to obtain the footage. This process can be complex, so it’s important to rely on a qualified attorney.
Your lawyer can send a letter to the other party informing them that they must preserve any evidence. This document will notify the recipient that they’re legally obligated to retain the dashcam video and any other evidence relevant to the case.
The Wapner Newman Advantage
Wapner Newman brings decades of committed legal experience to every case. Our team is here to stand up for your rights, pursue fair compensation on your behalf, and help you secure your future after an accident that wasn’t your fault.
When you work with Wapner Newman, you gain a powerful legal ally. Call us at (215) 569-0900 today to book your free consultation.