Any evidence that can help you recover compensation following a car accident in Alabama is worth looking for. But what about dashcam footage? Is footage from a dashboard camera admissible in court?
For the most part, footage from dashboard cameras is admissible in car accident lawsuits, provided the footage is relevant and material to the case. If dashcam footage does not show how an accident occurred or is too grainy to be of substance, it might be deemed inadmissible by a judge. If footage of an accident was filmed by your own dashcam, give that footage to our attorneys. Eyewitnesses, negligent drivers, and police officers might also have dashboard camera footage of a car accident in Alabama. If there is no dashcam footage of an accident, or it is ruled inadmissible in your case, you might be able to obtain other video footage, such as images from surveillance cameras or doorbell cameras, that prove a defendant’s negligence.
To schedule a free evaluation of your case from Howe Law, call our Alabama car accident lawyers now at (844) 876-4357.
Will Dashcam Footage Be Admissible in My Alabama Car Accident Lawsuit?
Dashboard cameras can come in handy in a car accident in Alabama. Generally, footage from these devices can be admissible in an auto accident lawsuit, which is good news for victims.
In order to have and use a dashboard camera in Alabama, it cannot be mounted on the driver’s windshield so that it does not block the driver’s view. Dashboard cameras can film in public areas, like on public roads, without the driver getting consent from other individuals or drivers. If you plan to film on private property, you should get consent. And, if your dashcam records audio, you should also get consent from passengers in your car to record. If you don’t follow Alabama’s rules regarding dashcams, footage from your accident might be ruled inadmissible in court.
While police most commonly use dashcams, civilians often use them to deter theft. If a dashcam filmed your accident, whether when in your car or in another person’s car, it can most likely be used as evidence in your case. Since dashcam footage is generally relevant and material to the case, meaning it can help to prove or disprove facts, such as a negligent driver’s actions, judges generally admit it as evidence in car accident claims. If footage from a dashcam is grainy or otherwise not useful, it may be deemed inadmissible by a judge.
How to Get Dashcam Footage for My Alabama Car Accident Lawsuit
Even if you do not have a dashcam in your car, others near the accident site might. Our Gadsden, AL car accident lawyers will get in touch with eyewitnesses and other drivers to obtain dashcam footage that will strengthen your case.
If you have a dashboard camera in your car, and it filmed your recent car accident, give that footage to our lawyers. If you do not have a dashcam, that does not mean others won’t. If you can speak to eyewitnesses following a crash, ask them if they have dash cameras. If they do, give their names and contact information to our attorneys. With the recent passing of HB 829, any person, or their attorney, that is subject of a police dashcam recording can file a request to obtain that footage in Alabama.
Sometimes, negligent drivers have dashboard cameras themselves. If such footage clearly shows their negligence, they might be hesitant to give it to our lawyers or the police. In such instances, we can subpoena dashcam footage to use as evidence in your case.
While it is rare for police officers to be near an accident when it occurs, it is not impossible. Because law enforcement officers typically have dashboard cameras that film at all times, they might get footage of an accident. In such cases, our lawyers need only contact the police officers at the scene of your accident to obtain dashboard camera footage.
Acting quickly in these circumstances is important, especially if you need the dashboard camera footage from an eyewitness or a negligent driver. Obtaining such footage as quickly as possible can reduce the chances that it is deleted or destroyed.
What if Dashcam Footage is Not Admissible in My Car Accident Claim in Alabama?
While often useful if available, there is no guarantee that dashboard camera footage of your recent car accident in Alabama will exist. Furthermore, dashcam footage might be ruled inadmissible in rare circumstances. Fortunately, other footage might be used as evidence in your car accident claim.
It is not uncommon for eyewitnesses to take out their smartphones and film car accidents. This is one of the reasons why speaking to eyewitnesses following a crash is important. Footage and photographs taken by eyewitnesses can often be used as evidence in a compensation claim. Even if eyewitnesses did not film or photograph your accident, their statements can be just as useful to your case.
Other video evidence, such as footage from doorbell cameras and surveillance cameras, might exist, even if dashboard camera footage does not. Our attorneys can contact local homeowners and business owners to obtain security camera footage that shows how an at-fault driver acted negligently when causing your accident in Alabama.
Even if there is no available video evidence of your auto accident, that does not mean your chances of recovery are lower. Statements from witnesses, photographs of the scene, damage to involved cars, victims’ injuries, and certain aspects of police reports can be valuable evidence in a car accident lawsuit in Alabama. If there is no dashcam footage of your accident to use as evidence against a negligent driver, do not be discouraged, as there will likely be other evidence capable of proving a defendant’s fault for your damages.
Call Our Alabama Attorneys About Your Car Accident Case Today
You can call (844) 876-4357 to get a free case review from the Phenix City, AL car accident lawyers at Howe Law.
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