Start with the right question
A dashcam clip can be valuable but incomplete. The camera may overwrite recordings, record the wrong time, or show only one direction. Preserve what is safely available without delaying urgent safety or medical needs, and explain the recording's limitations.
Work through the checks
Prevent accidental loss
Follow the device's normal save or export process when safe. Record how the footage was obtained and retain the original storage where appropriate. Do not repeatedly experiment with a damaged device or overwrite files.
Keep surrounding footage
Preserve the period before and after the incident, not only the moment that supports your account. Record gaps, camera views, and whether sound was captured. A short excerpt should link to the longer available recording.
Check time settings
Compare the displayed camera time with a reliable contemporaneous reference and record any observed offset. Do not silently correct the timestamp inside the original file. Keep the original and your explanatory note separate.
Prepare a viewing copy
Use a duplicate for playback, trimming, or annotations. Label any slowed or zoomed version. Avoid describing visual estimates of speed or distance as measurements unless a qualified analysis supports them.
A record you can use
- Camera and file reference
- Export method and date
- Displayed time and known offset
- Available views and gaps
- Working-copy edits
Keep this record locally. Use document references rather than publishing account numbers or other people's personal details. An empty field means the information is still missing; it should not be filled with an AI guess.
Worked example
A fictional driver notices the camera clock is one hour behind the phone clock. The driver preserves the original clip and records the comparison in a note. A later excerpt is labeled with the camera time and explained offset, rather than being edited to make the original appear correctly timed.
This example is fictional and illustrates the method, not a real case result.
Limits and next steps
Recording, sharing, and privacy rules vary. Do not publish other people's identifying details or claim footage proves the full allocation of fault. A camera view may omit relevant conduct outside the frame.
Give the insurer or adviser a file index and ask for their secure submission method. Keep transfer confirmations and avoid deleting originals after sending a compressed copy.