How Dash Cams Are Helpful in Supporting Car Accident Injury Claims

Dashboard cameras – also referred to as dash cams – are used to record video when there is movement near your vehicle or when you turn on your vehicle. Many drivers in Maryland utilize these devices to help protect them from liability and ensure their rights are protected in any legal proceedings arising from a car crash or interactions with law enforcement.

Using dash cam evidence in your car crash claim

Drivers typically avoid admitting fault after a car crash. One reason is the concern over the potential rise in their insurance premiums. This is often the case when the liable party in a crash caused damages or injury to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or personal property.

Dash cams provide unbiased, factual evidence of what occurred in a crash. This evidence can help to rebut the testimony of another driver who may give a differing account of the events.

The best possible footage from a dash cam is obtained from  higher-quality devices. These devices can provide evidence that involves time lapse video, night vision, wide-angle and high-definition video, front and rear facing video, and audio recordings. Some dash cams include sensors that can determine the velocity, speed, and force of impact of vehicles in crashes. These additional features are highly useful, but it is important to consult with your attorney to determine if they may be legally used.

A minimal investment for potential liability protection

A dash cam with multiple cameras, accelerometers, and a GPS may cost you anywhere from $100-$400. The investment is relatively small if it one day can help support your injury claim resulting from a car crash or vindicates you from someone else’s claim against you.

The legality of dash cams in Maryland

There are no laws on the books in Maryland forbidding the installation of dash cams or any type of aftermarket camera inside of the vehicle. However, there is a law that prohibits the obstruction of the driver’s view through the windshield – Maryland Transportation Code §§ 21-1104 (c) and (d). Dash cams typically mounted on the windshields are not as large as the standard suction cup mounted navigation systems many drivers use in their vehicles. These dash cams can usually be mounted in a manner that does not obstruct the view through the windshield.

Under Maryland law, you may not record passengers in your vehicle unknowingly without their consent. It is legal, however, to record activities outside of the vehicle in parking lots or on roadways. Since dash cams often start recording once the engine is started, this may present a problem if not addressed. Also, if you were involved in a car accident, it is illegal to purposefully delete video footage generated from your dash cam.

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our Maryland car accident attorneys understand the devastating injuries that can occur in various types of car crashes, and the resulting expenses and other losses involved. If you have sustained injuries resulting from the negligence of another driver, give us a call today at 410.730.7737 or use our contact form to set up a free consultation about your case.