How Dashcam Footage Can Impact Your Injury Claim

Dashcam footage is becoming one of the most powerful forms of evidence in Maryland car accident cases. When used correctly, video can resolve liability disputes quickly and protect injured victims from unfair insurance tactics. When mishandled, however, dashcam footage can significantly damage an otherwise valid claim.

If your crash was captured on video, understanding how dashcam footage can impact your injury claim is critical. This article explains how insurers evaluate dashcam footage, when video helps or hurts a case, and how to preserve and use this evidence strategically under Maryland law.

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Watch The Video Overview

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Why Dashcam Footage Matters in Maryland Injury Claims

Maryland’s contributory negligence rule makes video evidence especially important. Because even a small allegation of fault can bar recovery entirely, insurers scrutinize dashcam footage frame by frame looking for any conduct that could shift blame to the injured driver.

Clear video evidence can prevent mischaracterization of events, but incomplete or misleading footage can also be taken out of context. Understanding this balance is key.

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How Dashcam Footage Can Help an Injury Claim

Dashcam footage often provides an objective account of how a crash occurred. When the video clearly shows traffic signals, lane positions, and the sequence of events, insurers are less able to rely on speculative defenses.

Dashcam footage may help by showing:

• Which driver had the right of way

• Traffic light or stop sign status

• Unsafe following distance or sudden lane changes

• The severity of the impact

• Weather, lighting, and road conditions at the time of the crash

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How Dashcam Footage Can Hurt an Injury Claim

Dashcam footage is not always favorable. Insurers often analyze video to identify any conduct that supports a contributory negligence defense.

Examples of potentially harmful footage include video showing:

• Speeding or aggressive driving

• Incomplete stops at intersections

• Distracted behavior or in-car phone use

• Statements made immediately after the crash

• Events that occur before the full context of the collision

Even conduct that seems minor can be magnified by insurers under Maryland law. For this reason, dashcam footage should be preserved carefully and reviewed before broad disclosure.

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How to Properly Preserve Dashcam Footage

Dashcam systems frequently overwrite footage within hours or days. Preserving the video  

promptly helps prevent loss of critical evidence.

Best practices for preserving dashcam footage include:

• Saving the original file immediately and creating a backup copy

• Preserving metadata such as date and time stamps

• Avoiding edits to the original file

• Documenting who handled the footage and when

• Identifying and requesting other available video sources quickly

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When and How Dashcam Footage Is Disclosed

Whether dashcam footage must be disclosed depends on the stage of the claim. In early insurance negotiations, there may be strategic reasons to delay disclosure until the context can be properly explained.

Once litigation begins, dashcam footage is typically discoverable. At that stage, ensuring authenticity and preventing misinterpretation become priorities.

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Other Video Evidence That Can Support Your Claim

In addition to dashcams, other video sources may capture a crash or its aftermath. Identifying these sources early increases the chances they can be preserved.

Additional video sources may include:

• Traffic cameras

• Business surveillance systems

• Residential doorbell cameras

• Public transportation cameras

• Nearby construction or worksite cameras

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Common Mistakes to Avoid With Dashcam Footage

Certain mistakes can undermine the value of dashcam evidence:

• Waiting too long to save or export the footage

• Sharing clips on social media

• Editing or altering the original file

• Providing footage without understanding its impact

• Assuming video alone guarantees a successful claim

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Speak With SG Legal Group About Dashcam Evidence

Dashcam footage can be a powerful asset or a serious liability depending on how it is handled. Early guidance can help ensure video evidence strengthens rather than harms your injury claim.

SG Legal Group represents individuals injured in Maryland car accidents and routinely evaluates video evidence as part of case strategy. A prompt consultation can help determine how dashcam footage affects your claim.

Contact SG Legal Group

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult an attorney regarding your specific circumstances.