How Dashcams Can Make or Break Your Injury Case in Buffalo

Dashcams have become an essential tool for drivers in Buffalo. Legal teams often rely on this footage to build strong cases and prove liability. But while dashcams provide clear visual records, they also come with legal challenges that could impact your case.

The personal injury lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, know how to leverage dashcam evidence to strengthen your claim. We challenge footage that could harm your case. And we fight to ensure the right evidence works in your favor. 

If you’ve been in a crash, our Buffalo law firm is here to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. Whether you're seeking injury compensation or challenging an unfair claim denial, we’ve got your back.

Courtroom Shockers: When Dashcam Footage Can Make or Break Your Case in New York!

Criteria for Admissibility

Not all dashcam footage makes it into a courtroom. In New York, evidence must meet specific criteria to be admissible, including:

• Relevance – The footage must directly relate to the case, showing critical moments before, during, or after the crash.
• Authenticity – The court must verify that the footage hasn’t been tampered with or edited. Proper timestamps and unaltered metadata can help establish authenticity.
• Clear Chain of Custody – If the footage changed hands, a clear record must show it remained intact to avoid claims of tampering.

New York courts also assess whether the footage violates any privacy or consent laws. If a recording captures conversations inside a vehicle without the driver’s knowledge, it may not be usable in court.

How Attorneys Use Dashcam Footage

Dashcam footage can be a game-changer in injury cases. Attorneys use this evidence to:

• Establish fault by showing reckless driving, sudden lane changes, or red-light violations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 94% of crashes are due to human error.
• Disprove false claims if the other party changes their story, as insurance fraud involving staged accidents costs Americans billions each year.
• Support injury claims by demonstrating the severity of impact, which can help link the accident to specific medical conditions such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries.

However, if the footage contradicts your statement, it could weaken your case. A skilled Buffalo car accident lawyer can analyze the footage, ensuring it supports rather than undermines your claim.

Undeniable Proof or a Legal Time Bomb? How Dashcams Can Seal Your Fate in a Crash

Identifying Liable Parties

The city's busy streets see their share of accidents. Dashcams help identify who caused a crash by recording key details, such as:

• Speeding or reckless driving – Speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes.
• Failure to yield or stop at intersections – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that red-light running causes hundreds of deaths annually.
• Road conditions or obstructions that contributed to the accident – Poor road maintenance is responsible for a significant percentage of accidents, and footage can be used to hold municipal entities accountable.

If the footage clearly shows another driver’s negligence, it can serve as strong evidence in your favor.

Supporting Eyewitness Testimonies

Eyewitnesses can provide valuable accounts of an accident, but their memories aren’t always perfect. Dashcam footage can:

• Corroborate a witness’s version of events, strengthening their credibility in court.
• Fill in gaps where eyewitness testimony is unclear, ensuring minor details aren’t overlooked.
• Challenge inaccurate or biased statements, especially if a witness provides conflicting reports.

When combined with eyewitness accounts, dashcam evidence can create a compelling narrative for your case.

Your Dashcam Might Be Illegal! What Buffalo Drivers Must Know Before They Hit Record

Recording Laws by State

New York follows one-party consent laws, meaning at least one person in a conversation must consent to being recorded. But there are gray areas:

• Public vs. private spaces – You can record events on public roads, but private property recordings could be an issue.
• Audio vs. video – While video is generally allowed, secretly recording conversations inside a car without all parties' consent could violate wiretapping laws.
• Interstate travel – If you drive into Pennsylvania, which requires two-party consent, your recording could become illegal.

Ethical Considerations of Using Dashcams

Even if your footage is legal, there are ethical questions:

• Is it fair to use footage selectively to benefit one party? Selective edits may be challenged in court.
• Should footage be shared publicly before legal proceedings conclude? Posting footage online may impact jury perception.
• Are drivers being surveilled without consent? Privacy laws continue to evolve to address technological advancements.

Understanding these considerations ensures you use dashcam footage responsibly.

Are Insurance Companies Watching Your Every Move? The Shocking Truth About Dashcam Evidence

How Insurers Interpret the Evidence

Insurance companies will analyze dashcam footage to decide:

• Who was at fault – If the footage shows you made an error, expect resistance.
• Whether the accident was preventable – Insurers often argue that defensive driving could have avoided a crash.
• If injuries align with the recorded impact – Discrepancies may lead to claim denials or reductions.

They may use footage to justify denying a claim or reducing a payout. Even seemingly minor details—like a rolling stop—could be used against you.

Can Dashcam Footage Increase or Reduce Your Settlement Offer?

Dashcam footage can either boost or hurt your settlement, depending on what it reveals:

• Higher settlement if it proves the other driver’s clear negligence.
• Lower settlement if it shows you contributed to the accident.
• Denial of claim if the footage contradicts your version of events.

That’s why having your personal injury legal representation review your dashcam footage before submitting it to insurers can make all the difference.

Get the Right Legal Help Before Your Dashcam Footage Works Against You

Dashcam footage can be a powerful tool in your injury case, but it can also complicate things if not handled correctly. Our Buffalo personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, know how to use this evidence to your advantage while protecting your rights. 

Whether you're facing an insurance battle, dealing with workplace injury claims, or need a medical malpractice attorney, one of the best law firms in America is here to help. 

Contact our office today for your free, no-obligation insurance.