Helmet cameras are capable of capturing the exact moment of the accident and the moments leading up to the accident. That is why footage from your helmet camera is really important during a motorcycle crash claim. However, it can help or hurt your claim, depending on the circumstances surrounding you. So here is what you need to know.
When can helmet camera footage help your claim?
Footage that shows your lane position and the traffic signals, and sometimes your speed, can support your account of what happened. An insurer may review the footage during the claim, and it may help show you were following traffic laws. When the other driver tells a different story from what actually transpired, a clear recording could come to your rescue. If the case goes to court, the video generally has to be relevant and authenticated, meaning someone can confirm it is genuine and has not been altered.
What risks come with helmet camera footage?
The footage can show your own mistakes. Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, if the footage shows you were partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your share of responsibility. This does not mean you should delete the video. A court might consider such an act as spoliation of evidence. Additionally, you should think twice before posting the video online. Comments you post about the video or the crash may be used by the other side in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
How a legal guide can help
Helmet camera footage can support your account of a motorcycle crash, but it can also show details the other side may use against you. Keep the original file, avoid editing it and think carefully before posting it online. An attorney experienced in motorcycle accident claims can review the footage alongside your other evidence and explain how it may affect your claim in California.