car accident Dash Cam, car accident camera

I caught an accident on my dash cam. I turned the footage over to the police. Now the party that was at fault is suing me. What should I do?

What should I do? I caught an accident on my dash cam. I turned the footage over to the police. Now the party that was at fault is suing me.

As a responsible driver, you’ve likely invested in a dash cam to protect yourself and probably others in the event of an accident. 

But what happens when that footage is used against you? If you’ve recently turned footage of an accident over to the police and now the other party is suing you, you may be wondering what to do next. 

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of dashcam footage, the legal implications of turning it over to the police, and what steps you should take to protect yourself if any party to the car accident is suing you.

Page Contents

Dashcams Explained

A dash cam is a type of camera that is mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle, typically facing out the front windshield. Dash cams are designed to record the view of the road in front of your vehicle, as well as the driver and passengers inside your car. 

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What do dash cams capture?

Dash cams can be used to record footage while you are driving, which can be used as evidence in case of an accident or a traffic violation. Many dash cams have features like night vision, motion detection, loop recording, and g-sensor, which detect sudden braking, sudden acceleration, and sudden turns. 

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 I have seen some high-end dash cams that come with built-in GPS and WiFi connectivity, which allow users to live-stream footage and track their routes.

What is the importance of Dash Cam Footage in car accidents?

One of the pieces of evidence you need to prove your innocence in the car accident is to provide dashcam footage of the accident. 

Dashcam footage not only helps you remember the events that lead to the accident, but it also acts as evidence in courts of law, and having the footage helps identify the driver that should be held liable for the car accident.

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In situations where there are fault issues or the other driver is denying liability, the car accident footage captured on any camera or dashcam could help in putting liability issues at rest. 

If you had an accident, I strongly recommend hunting for the footage from nearby CCTV, nearby cameras in the car accident vicinity, or by asking other vehicles whose dashcams could have captured the accident.

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However, it’s important to note that while dashcam footage can be used as evidence in court, it is not necessarily determinative. Factors such as the angle of the camera and the clarity of the footage can affect its usefulness in court. 

Additionally, your footage may not capture the entire incident, so it’s important to supplement it with other forms of evidence, such as witness statements. But, what happens if you turned in the footage of the accident you were not involved in?

Should You Turn Footage Over to the Police

If you had an accident, I highly advise you to gather all evidence and any possible thing that transpired before, during, and after the accident. 

Such pieces of evidence will help smoothen your insurance claim process and could let you off the hook if you are sued by the other driver. 

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Pieces of evidence required from the car accident victims include witness statements, car accident scene pictures, photos of the property/car damages, photos indicating the location of damages on both cars, and a picture showing the accident scene and other related structures like buildings, signposts, and features. 

If your dashcam captured the footage of the car accident you were not involved in, yes you should act kindly and turn it over to the police. In fact, you will be the witness and your footage submitted will help in solving car accident liability issues. 

car crash, car accident

But, the other party that is at fault for the accident may not be happy with your interference. But, just like in any case, a witness is as bad as the plaintiff. Actually, this should never stop you from helping. 

Here is an example as told to me by John. “I was working at a fast-food establishment and was in the process of repairing the parking lot when I observed an accident. A customer had hit another car, causing significant damage”, says John. 

 “I anticipated that the driver of the damaged car would come out to confront the perpetrator of the accident. However, the owner of the damaged car came out alone and I asked her if the driver of the other car had acknowledged hitting her vehicle”, continued John.

Then John said the owner of the damaged car was unaware of the incident and immediately called the police. When the driver of the other car came out, he was very angry and began yelling at John

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“Hey, learn to mind my own business,” said the at-fault driver. “I was relieved that the police had arrived, as I feared he might have become physically aggressive with me”, John concluded.

So as you can see guys, acting as a witness in not only car accident disputes but any other case could land you in trouble. But, as you would love to be helped, I recommend you render help to others too. Here, John took the risk but at the end of the day, his help I guess was appreciated.

I also need to remind you that it’s important to note that once you turn the dashcam footage over to the police, it becomes part of the public record. This means that the other party involved in the accident can also access it. 

Additionally, you should make sure you understand the laws in your state regarding dashcam footage, as some states may have restrictions on when and how it can be used. You can also choose to turn the footage in anonymously if the authorities allow so. 

What To Do If The Other Party is Suing You?

In my opinion, any of the parties to the accident suing you holds no water. I do not think they will be able to build a strong case against you. Many laws in different states protect witnesses. 

Unless you tamper with the footage, the party that sues you for turning in that footage evidence has no chance against you. If they hired a lawyer to go after you, you could report such a lawyer to your state’s Bar or any other regulation office. 

Alternatively, you may need to ask the judge to suspend the case, or hire a lawyer to protect your rights. In fact, accident victims are encouraged to move around the accident vicinity and hunt for any footage of the accident. You could decide to hand over the footage to the victim or police and I guess you have a right of doing things anonymously. 

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According to Mark Burton, a personal injury by profession, Mark says you may need an attorney to protect your rights in such situations. 

“In the future, ask if you can turn over footage anonymously. Problems like yours are exactly why, whenever possible, I would keep innocent parties out of reports if I was a policeman” says Mark.

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If you’ve recently turned over dashcam footage of an accident to the police and now the other party is suing you, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. But, I do not believe the suing party has no any chance against you. 

I do not believe any able-bodied car accident lawyer could take up such a case unless there is a piece of concrete evidence you tampered with the footage. Also, always ask the police not to mention your name in their investigations or reports. 

Conclusion.

In conclusion, having a dash cam can be a valuable asset in the event of an accident as it can serve as evidence in court. However, it’s important to understand the legal implications of turning over the footage to the police and the potential consequences, such as any party suing you. 

If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to consult with an attorney who can help you understand your rights and options.

Additionally, make sure the car accident victim gathered relevant evidence, such as witness statements and medical records, to help strengthen his/her case. 

The accident victim should remain calm and avoid discussing the case with the other party or their representatives. Ultimately, by taking the appropriate steps and understanding the legal process, you can protect others, yourself, and your interests.