Dash cameras have become a popular car accessory that can be used to deter theft and protect you in the event of a crime. If you are involved in a collision, the footage from your dash camera may be essential evidence to support a claim for your personal injuries against an at-fault driver.
Contact our Denver car accident lawyers at Dan Caplis Law to discuss your legal options and whether your footage can be used as evidence. Schedule your free consultation today.
What Is a Dash Cam and How Does It Work?
A dash cam is a camera designed to be installed on the dashboard area of your vehicle. They record video of the road in front of you, and some can record the interior of your car while you are driving.
Dash cameras can record relatively high-quality video, even at night. They often automatically start, stop, and save recordings based on your pre-determined settings.
Are Dash Cameras Legal in Colorado?
Yes, dash cameras are legal to use in Colorado. However, you must mount the camera in a way that does not block your view of the road. You should also know that if you are involved in an accident, your dash cam footage may be deemed evidence that you must preserve or turn over to investigators.
While the police cannot seize your dash camera, the footage can be subpoenaed if you are involved in an accident, or it could be ordered to be provided with a warrant. You should not attempt to destroy or alter the dash camera footage after a collision.
How Can Dash Cam Footage Be Used In A Motor Vehicle Collision Claim?
Your dash camera is essential evidence in a car collision claim. It may be used to:
- Prove fault. Your dash cam footage may show that another driver violated traffic laws or was otherwise negligent or reckless. If the fault is contested, the footage can help prove the other party’s fault.
- Strengthen or weaken an eyewitness account. The footage can be used to strengthen eyewitness statements in your favor or to challenge a witness’s account that is damaging to your case. It can provide invaluable objective evidence of what happened.
- Document the accident scene. The dash camera footage can show the accident scene, including the point of impact, road conditions, and other vital details of the crash.
Can My Dash Cam Footage Be Used Against Me?
The footage on your dashcam may also be used against you. Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases. This means that more than one party may be assigned fault for a car accident.
If you are less than 50% at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. If your dashcam footage shows that you were partially at fault, it can be used to defend against your claim and reduce or bar your recovery.
Contact Dan Caplis Law Today
If you were injured in a car or truck collision in Colorado caused by another party, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. However, recovering the compensation you deserve is rarely simple.
Insurance companies will try to deny liability and devalue your claim, and technologies like dash cameras may be used to your advantage or to defend against your claim. You need an experienced Colorado car accident attorney to help you investigate and present your case to recover the fair and full value of your case.
At Dan Caplis Law, we have been protecting the rights of car accident injury victims and their families for over forty years. We have a proven track record of securing maximum compensation for our clients, and we are committed to helping you obtain full compensation for your damages. Call (303) 770-5551 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.