When a car accident happens, figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always straightforward, but emerging technology is making it possible to fill in the gaps.
One tool that’s quietly reshaping the way accidents are analyzed is the dashboard camera (dash cam). From everyday fender benders to major collisions, these cameras are capturing real-time, objective evidence.
Footage from dash cam car crashes is increasingly being used in insurance disputes, legal cases and traffic investigations. And with more drivers installing car dash cameras (front and rear facing), the scope of what’s being recorded—and how it’s being used—is expanding, making them an integral tool for individual drivers.
How dash cams help establish fault
With the visual record a dash cam provides, collecting evidence after a car accident is no longer just about the photos you take or the eyewitness reports you collect after the fact. You also don’t have to struggle with remembering everything that happened while you’re potentially dealing with injuries and assessing damage to your car.
While they don’t replace investigations or police reports, dash cams can provide an additional layer of context. For example, they may show whether a light was red, how fast vehicles were moving or whether a driver failed to yield before an accident.
Capturing an accident from multiple angles
Footage from front and rear dash cams can provide a fuller picture of events, particularly in complex collisions like multi-car pileups or cases where one driver brakes suddenly and is hit from behind. This dual perspective can help establish a sequence of events, though it’s still up to investigators, insurers, or judges and juries to interpret that data.
Some dash cams even include license plate recognition features. In hit-and-run accidents or cases of road rage, being able to identify a license plate clearly from footage can be useful for law enforcement.
What to do with dash cam footage after an accident
If you’re involved in a car accident and have dash cam footage, video may become a critical piece of evidence, but only if it’s handled correctly, so make sure to:
- Secure the footage immediately by backing it up
- Make a copy and save the original footage
- Name the video file so you know exactly what it is and when it’s from
- Include the footage in your insurance claim
- Hold onto the footage
- Avoid posting the video online
Dash cam footage you want to use as evidence in a car accident should only be shared with your legal team, the police and the insurance company if necessary.
Other car technology helping establish fault in an accident
While dash cams are the most commonly recognized tech tool for documenting car accidents, they’re not the only technology out there that could come into play. Other tools that may be valuable in collecting evidence after a car crash include:
- Event data recorders capture key information leading up to and during a car crash
- GPS and telematics systems (like OnStar) log location, speed and driving behavior
- Advanced driver assistance systems not only help prevent accidents, but store data when they activate
- Smartphone-based driving apps track routes, speed, acceleration and sudden braking
These tools don’t replace dash cam footage, but help provide supplementary evidence when needed.
Questions about dash cam usage
Do I need a dash cam to prove fault in a car accident?
No, but it can help. In many cases the fault is clear. But when fault is not obvious, dash cam footage is one piece of evidence among many. While they can add clarity, they aren’t required.
Can dash cam footage be used in legal disputes?
Yes, provided the footage was obtained legally and certain rules are followed.
What are the downsides of using a dash cam?
Dash cams can record your own driving mistakes, which could be used against you. And like any tech, they can fail—corrupted files, dead batteries, or poor image quality can all render footage useless.
Dash cam footage is only a piece of the puzzle
While dash cam car crash footage is becoming increasingly relevant in helping establish fault after a car accident, it is in no way perfect. Connecting with the right legal team after an accident will ensure this footage, and any other car-based technology you have, is used correctly to help get you the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how dash cam footage can help your case after a car accident, reach out to the legal team at Watson Injury Law for a free consultation.