Cameras are practically everywhere, including inside of many passenger vehicles. In this blog post, our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC provide guidance on:
- Whether dashcams can help you with your claim
- Disadvantages of dashcams
- Whether dashcams are accepted as evidence
- Whether you can record audio without consent
- Where you should place your dashcam
A Good Way To Preserve Evidence
Dashcams are a great way to preserve evidence by creating a visual record. Dashcam footage can show the accident itself, the aftermath, and what happened just before the accident. However, it’s important to understand there are also disadvantages to using a dashcam and admitting the video or videos as evidence.
Disadvantages Of Dashcams
While dashcams feel like the new norm, it’s important to note that there are several disadvantages. These disadvantages include and may not be limited to:
- Potential issues of privacy. Check the privacy laws in your state to determine if you can use your video or talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer. While features like recording audio may seem beneficial, the laws vary from state to state on whether the audio creates a potential legal problem.
- Placement problems. Some states have laws on the books to determine proper placement of the cam.
- Acts as a distraction. Always pay full attention to the road while driving. Failing to do so may result in an accident on its own.
- Poor image quality.
- Data security issues. Certain dashcams collect, store, and release your data to third parties. A simple password may also present a data security issue.
Are Dashcam Videos Accepted As Evidence?
Under certain circumstances, dashcams can be used as evidence during your claim. Those circumstances often include and may not be limited to:
- The footage was taken in a public place
- Only has video footage taken of before, during, and after the accident
- May or may not contain audio, depending on the stat.
What About Audio On The Dashcam?
So, what about the audio recorded by your dashcam? Can that be used? The answer is that it depends. In some states, all parties must consent to the use of audio. Other states only require that only one person knows and consents to the use of audio.
Where To Place Your Dashcam
It’s also important to properly install and place your dashcam. Some states require that your dashcam be installed at a certain location within your vehicle, such as in a corner of the front dashboard. The advantage of this is that hopefully it reduces distractions if the dashcam is in a dangerous place in your vehicle. Look up the laws in your state for dashcams to determine where you should place your dashcam.