After an auto accident, you have only a few seconds to explain what happened.
There’s one person claiming that they had a green light. And another who swears they were changing lanes. How do you know what really happened?
That’s where a dash cam can help. A dash cam can record the road if it captures the relevant moment clearly. But is it worth purchasing a dash cam?
Find out what your dash cam can show you.
Table of Contents
- Can a Dash Cam Prove What Happened?
- How Video Can Help Determine Fault
- Your Dash Cam May Not Show You Everything
- Make Sure to Save Your Dash Cam Footage
- What Should You Look For in a Dash Cam?
- Are Dash Cams Worth It?
- Final Thoughts
Can a Dash Cam Prove What Happened?
Your dash cam will have a camera facing the road in front of you. If the camera is placed properly and captures clear images, you may be able to see traffic lights, lane markers, surrounding cars, etc. All leading up to the collision.
Having a dash cam can help in determining who is at fault after a collision. The position of the cars after a crash often cannot show how the collision happened.
Say someone changed lanes into you before a collision occurred. If there was a photo of your cars, it may show damage to both cars’ doors. With video, you may be able to see who moved into whose lane first.
Your camera may also be able to show that the traffic was coming to a sudden stop, or if a car pulled into the intersection or drove off. You may even have a rear-facing camera, which can show what was going on behind you if you were rear-ended.
Your dash cam may not be able to show you everything, but it’s helpful when putting it all together.
How Video Can Help Determine Fault
As mentioned above, video can help prove fault when there are differing stories from those involved in an auto accident.
If you’ve been involved in a bad car accident in Dallas, many factors go into proving who was at fault. Your car accident attorney can look at your dash cam, along with police reports, pictures, witnesses, etc., to piece your case together. To see how those pieces of evidence may fit into a claim, visit this website for information about Dallas car accident cases.
Here are some examples of situations that can arise after a car crash.
- Someone changes lanes into you
- Traffic lights
- You get rear-ended
- Hit-and-run accident
Again, don’t jump to conclusions after watching the footage on your dash cam. There are many things to consider after watching it.
Your Dash Cam May Not Show You Everything
Even with video, you may not be able to show what you’re looking for. Maybe the car came from behind the frame of your camera. You may be able to see the accident, but not what led up to it.
Rain, sun, and nighttime can also make it hard to see what was happening on the road.
Another thing to remember about video is the distance between you and another vehicle. Your camera may have a wide lens, making it difficult to see how close they were to you.
A recording alone may not reliably show another vehicle’s exact speed. If your dash cam has a time stamp, it may not be accurate either. Even with GPS, there are things to consider before jumping to a conclusion.
Video alone usually cannot establish the nature of an injury, its treatment costs, or how long someone may be unable to work.
Of course, it can work against you as well. If you did something dangerous that was caught on camera, it may work against you too.
Keep in mind that your dash cam will have to be authenticated if used as evidence in a Texas court. That means there must be enough support to show the recording is what the person presenting it claims. Other evidence rules still apply.
Make Sure to Save Your Dash Cam Footage
Many dashcams record on a loop while the vehicle is in use, and may overwrite older files when storage fills. The camera will overwrite old videos if you run out of memory. Although some dash cams have a feature that will keep video after a collision, don’t count on it.
Once you are involved in a collision, make sure you take care of yourself and others around you who may be in danger. After you get to a safe location, make sure your dash cam is safe.
How to protect your dash cam:
- Turn off your camera so it won’t overwrite your video, or safely remove your SD card.
- Make sure you save the entire file, including the minutes leading up to your collision and after. Do not edit your video or use filters; keep it raw.
- Create a backup copy of your video, just in case. If your camera broke into multiple videos, save them all.
- Write down where the collision took place, what time it was, and whether your camera time was accurate.
- Send your video to your insurance company, officer, or attorney if needed. Do not post on social media until your claim is settled.
Just like your dash cam, don’t rely on it to tell you everything that happened during a car crash. Take scene photographs when safe, exchange details, seek medical care if needed, and report the crash as required.
All of these steps can play a major role in your case, more than a couple of seconds of video showing a collision.
What Should You Look For in a Dash Cam?
You don’t need to have the best and most expensive dash cam on the market. Find a camera that will record the road, and you are good to go.
Some basic things to look for are quality picture during the day and at night, memory, and a rear-facing camera if desired.
If you park outside, you may want to invest in a camera that will record while parked. If you drive at night, you’ll want to look for cameras with better night vision.
Also, think about how often you will use your camera. Will you be able to replace your memory card, and if you have your camera recording while you park, are you going to have to pay to store that information?
Make sure your dash cam does not block your view while driving. The state of Texas does not allow items on your window that can hinder your view while operating your vehicle. Also, be aware of your laws if you are recording audio.
Once you purchase your camera, test it out and make sure it’s working properly.
Are Dash Cams Worth It?
Even if you aren’t in a major car accident, your dash cam can still be helpful to you.
In a U.S. survey conducted in June 2025, 40% of dashcam users said they had recorded at least one crash or traffic incident.
While that may be helpful to know, it does not mean that you will be able to determine who is at fault.
A dashcam doesn’t stop a crash, guarantee an insurance payout, or replace safe driving. It will just show you what happened, if you have one to look at.
Final Thoughts
Having a dash cam can be helpful if you want to catch what happens while you’re on the road. Find a camera that you can easily use, and know how to retrieve your video if needed.
Next time you’re in a car accident, you’ll be glad you prepared ahead of time.
