Dash Cam Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
After suffering injuries in a truck accident because of another party’s fault or negligence, you can file a truck accident claim against the negligent party and obtain compensation. To receive compensation for your injuries and damages, you will need to prove negligence on the part of the other party. One piece of evidence that can help you prove your truck accident was the fault of another party is dash cam footage. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident because of the negligence of another party, contact a qualified truck accident attorney for help obtaining and persevering dash cam footage. Acquiring and preserving dash cam footage at an early stage in your truck accident case is crucial to ensuring a successful outcome in your case.
Importance of Dash Cam Footage in Your Truck Accident Case
Dash cam footage can help you prove what caused your accident and identify potentially liable parties. The following are examples of things dash cam footage can help you prove;
- That you were driving within the legal speed
- The truck driver was distracted driving
- The truck driver was following too closely
- You were in your lane
- The truck swerved into your lane
Dash cam footage can also be used to show other things that occurred after the accident, such as the truck driver acting hostile towards you, the truck driver apologizing to you, and the truck driver exhibiting behaviors that indicate intoxication.
Additionally, if dash cam footage has audio, it can be used to verify witness testimony and other accounts of the accident that could otherwise be misinterpreted or subject to bias.
Types of Dash Cams in Trucks
While they are not a legal requirement under federal law, more trucking companies are installing dash cams in their trucks. There are two main types of dash cams in trucks: driver-facing cameras and forward-facing cameras. Driver-facing cameras can show if a truck driver was, for example, distracted, drunk, or drowsy driving. On the other hand, forward-facing cameras record what is in front of the truck and can show things such as whether the truck driver was driving too closely to you or made an unsafe lane change. Footage from a forward-facing camera can also show if you were driving in your lane.
Obtaining Dash Cam Footage from the Trucking Company
Obtaining dash cam footage from the trucking company can be a challenge. Many trucking companies are unwilling or reluctant to share dash cam recordings because they are concerned about liability. Fortunately, a qualified truck accident attorney can help you obtain dash cam footage from the trucking company. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, it is best that you contact a skilled truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Dash Cams on Police Cars
Dash cams are not only present in trucks. They are also present in police cars. There can be valuable information on a police car dash cam.
When it comes to obtaining footage from the police, you can do so under a freedom of information request or by subpoena. The Freedom of Information Act in the U.S. requires the disclosure of information and documents controlled by the government, state, or other public authority upon request.
Contact a Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in a South Carolina truck accident because of the negligence of another party, contact our qualified Charleston truck accident lawyer at Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm to get help with your compensation claim.
Source:
home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act
