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Can Dash Cams Supply Video Evidence After a Car Accident?

Dash cams used to be a tool that only the police could access. However, times have changed and now dash cams are available for personal use. Dash cams are legal in Florida and can be used to supply video evidence in court. However, certain requirements must be met for the evidence to be admissible.

Why Use a Dash Cam?

A dash cam can help prove who is at fault in an accident, especially if there are no witnesses. It is also good for showing evidence of road conditions and weather. Some dash cams have one camera that shows the road ahead and another one that shows the car’s driver and passengers. This type of dash cam can be good for showing that you were focused on the road and not distracted when the accident occurred. Strong video evidence from dash cams can help convince the opposing side to settle the case in your favor rather than seeking a trial in court.

Requirements for Dash Cam Video Evidence

There are three key guidelines that must be met for dash cam evidence to be admitted in court:

1. The video must be authentic. It cannot be altered or changed in any way from the original recording.

• The dashcam must be mounted so that it does not obstruct the driver’s line of sight. The Florida Windshield Obstruction Law states that “no person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield … which materially obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway[1].” Doing so not only renders the video inadmissible, but can cause the driver to receive a citation for a non-moving violation.

•  If the dashcam records audio, it is governed by Florida Statute 934.03, which states that everyone being recorded with wire, oral or electronic communications must give consent. If your dash cam has this feature, and it is turned on at the time of the accident, you will need to turn it off so it does not inadvertently record audio from the opposing party without their consent.

The opposing party will review your dash cam footage as well. They may work hard to discredit the evidence or claim that it does not meet the requirements for admissibility in court. Therefore, it is important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney, like ECanter Lawyers, representing you. We will build a strong case to clearly demonstrate the opposing party’s fault in causing the accident and aggressively argue for you to receive the compensation that you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact ECanter Lawyers for a free case evaluation today.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For almost a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

561-447-4500

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[1] Online Sunshine. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us). Accessed December 8, 2021.