When drivers give conflicting accounts of a crash, video evidence may help establish what happened. Dashcam footage, security cameras and other recordings may capture details that are difficult to reconstruct from statements alone. If you were injured in a New Jersey crash, identifying and preserving that footage quickly may help support your account of the collision.
What can video footage show about a crash?
Depending on what the recording captures, video may show whether a driver ran a red light, changed lanes improperly, followed too closely or crossed into another lane.
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence system, meaning an injured person’s damages may be reduced based on their share of fault. A person generally cannot recover when their negligence is greater than the negligence of the person or persons from whom they seek recovery. Video may help show what each driver did before and during the collision.
Where might useful footage come from?
A crash may be captured by cameras beyond those in the vehicles involved. Nearby businesses, homes, vehicles or public cameras may provide an independent view of what happened. Potential sources include:
- Dashcams in your vehicle or another nearby vehicle
- Security cameras at businesses or homes near the crash
- Doorbell cameras facing nearby streets
- Traffic cameras or other publicly operated cameras, where available
The availability of footage depends on the location, camera coverage and how long the system retains recordings.
Why does timing matter when preserving footage?
Some camera systems automatically overwrite older recordings. If a nearby business, home or another location may have captured the crash, identifying the source promptly may give you a better chance of preserving the footage before it is overwritten.
An attorney may also help identify potential sources and take appropriate steps to request preservation of relevant evidence.
How do courts handle video evidence in New Jersey?
Video does not become admissible simply because it captures an accident. New Jersey courts generally require authentication, meaning evidence must show that the footage accurately represents what it claims to show. The person offering the video may need to provide evidence about where it came from and how it was recorded.