Author: Shelby Benavidez <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contributing Attorney: Spencer Smith, attorney team lead<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine being involved in a car accident and hearing two completely different stories about what happened. The other driver says you ran the red light. You know you didn’t. There were no independent witnesses. The police report is inconclusive. Suddenly, your injury claim comes down to one person’s word against another’s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now imagine having video footage that captured the entire crash. That’s exactly why more drivers are installing dashcams. These small devices can record critical moments before, during, and after a car accident, providing evidence that may help support your injury claim. In some cases, dashcam footage can be the difference between receiving full value for your injury and watching an insurance company shift blame onto you for an accident you didn’t cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you rely on a dashcam to protect you after a wreck, it’s important to understand how these devices work, what footage they capture, and how that footage may impact your case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A dashcam, short for dashboard camera, is a small recording device mounted inside a vehicle<\/a> that continuously captures video while you drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most dashcams attach to the windshield and begin recording automatically when the vehicle starts. Depending on the model, they may record only the road ahead, the road behind, the vehicle interior, or all three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern dashcams often include features such as high-definition video recording, night vision, GPS tracking, speed monitoring, and even parking surveillance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main purpose of a dashcam is to create an objective record of events on the road. When an accident occurs, that recording may help tell the story about how the crash happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having any kind of dashcam installed in your vehicle can be beneficial, but not all dashcams offer the same level of protection. The best choice depends on your driving habits, budget, and goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A basic front-facing dashcam is affordable, easy to install, and has reliable video recordings of the road in front of you. However, these recordings may not be useful if you were rear-ended. They typically have limited features and don\u2019t always have GPS or cloud backup storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dual-camera dashcams record both the front and rear of your vehicle, which can be helpful if someone hits you from behind. These are typically more expensive than basic dashcams and may require a more complex installation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of whether you choose a front-facing, dual camera, or 360-degree dashcam, which uses multiple cameras to capture every angle around your vehicle, we highly recommend selecting a kit with cloud connection. While subscription fees may apply and require internet connection, these dashcams have automatic video backups that allow you to remotely access footage and reduce the risk of losing data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Texas drivers looking for professional guidance, our team has partnered with The Dashcam Store, an Austin, Texas-based company known for helping drivers select and install dashcam systems<\/a> that fit their needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A dashcam records video, but dashcam footage is the actual evidence generated by that recording. Depending on the device, dashcam footage may include video and\/or audio recordings, speed data, GPS coordinates, date and time stamps, and impact event markers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike a cell phone or video camera, dashcam footage doesn’t remain stored on the device forever (or until you delete it). Most dashcams use a feature called loop recording, so when the memory card becomes full, the system automatically records over the oldest footage<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The type of dashcam you have, storage capacity, and video quality settings all play a part in determining how long the footage remains on the device. If you drive frequently or have limited space, dashcam footage may only be available for a few days, while others may store weeks of recordings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most devices will automatically save footage once a crash is detected. However, that’s not always the case, and drivers should never assume the footage was automatically saved. After an accident, manually preserve the recording as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing how to check dashcam footage and how to retrieve dashcam footage quickly can help prevent important evidence from being lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTable of Contents<\/h2>
TL;DR: Key Takeaways<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Dashcams and How They Work<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is a Dashcam?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Choosing the Right Dashcam<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Dashcam Footage: What You Need to Know<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is Dashcam Footage?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How Long Does Footage Stay on a Dashcam?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How to Check and Retrieve Dashcam Footage<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n