What To Do If You’re Involved In a Car Accident … and You Have a Dashcam

Your heart races as metal crunches behind you. Another car has just rear-ended you at a Johannesburg robot. Your hands shake as you unbuckle – but then you remember: Your dashcam caught everything.

In South Africa, where hit-and-runs increased by 14% last year (RTMC 2023) and insurance disputes drag on for months, your dashcam footage could mean the difference between a quick claim resolution and a financial nightmare. Here’s exactly what to do to protect yourself.

Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene

1. Stay Calm and Check for Injuries

• Turn on hazard lights

• Check yourself and passengers first

• If anyone is hurt, call 10177 for emergency services immediately

Pro Tip: Say “I’m not admitting fault, I’m just checking if you’re okay” when approaching the other driver.

2. Secure Your Dashcam Evidence

• Don’t touch the camera yet – Let it keep recording

• Verbally state the date/time: “It’s 15 March 2024, 3:45 PM at the intersection of William Nicol and Republic in Sandton”

• Capture footage of:

  • Vehicle positions

  • License plates (say them aloud)

  • Road conditions

  • Visible injuries/damage

  • Witnesses

3. Exchange Details (But Be Cautious)

By law you must share:

• Full name & ID number

• Contact information

• Insurance details

But never:

• Admit fault (“Sorry I braked suddenly”)

• Sign anything from the other party

• Agree to “settle privately”

How Your Dashcam Footage Changes Everything

For Insurance Claims

• Required by 92% of SA insurers when available

• Cuts claim processing time by up to 60%

• Prevents “he said/she said” disputes

Real Case: A Pretoria driver’s 30-second dashcam clip proved the other car ran a red light, saving him from a 50% fault determination.

For Police Reports

• SAPS now accepts dashcam evidence (National Instruction 3/2021)

• Helps with hit-and-run cases (1 in 5 accidents in Gauteng)

• Can refute false drunk driving claims

Protecting Your Footage: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Stop Recording Properly

   • Use your app to safely finalize the file

   • Never just yank the power cord

2. Create Multiple Backups

   • Save to your phone immediately

   • Copy to a USB drive

   • Email to yourself as timestamped proof

3. Lock the File

   • Use your dashcam’s “protect” function

   • This prevents overwriting

4. Get Witness Contacts

   • Ask them to record a voice note confirming what they saw

   • Capture their details on video

Special South African Considerations

Load Shedding Risks

• Keep a power bank in your car to preserve footage during outages

• Hardwired dashcams may lose power – check your setup

High Crime Areas

• If feeling unsafe:

  1. Lock doors

  2. Drive to nearest police station

  3. Keep recording the whole time

Taxi & Minibus Accidents

• Your footage is crucial as drivers often:

  • Flee the scene (42% do according to JMPD)

  • Claim nonexistent injuries

  • Dispute vehicle ownership

Dealing With Insurance Companies

What to Say

• “I have dashcam footage of the incident”

• “I’ll submit the unedited files directly to your claims portal”

• “Please confirm receipt of the video evidence”

What Not to Say

• “You can see I was maybe speeding a bit…”

• “I’ll edit the clip to show just the impact”

• “The other driver seems honest”

When to Involve a Lawyer

Consult an attorney if:

• There are injuries exceeding R50,000 medical costs

• The other party is uninsured/underinsured

• You’re being accused of a serious traffic violation

• Your insurer disputes liability despite clear footage

Note: Many SA personal injury lawyers offer free first consultations.

Prevent Future Headaches: Post-Accident Checklist

1. Download the Accident Report Form from the RTMC website

2. Take Photos of:

   • All vehicles’ positions

   • Damage close-ups

   • Road signs/signals

   • Visible injuries

3. Note weather, lighting, and road conditions

4. Follow Up with your insurer within 24 hours

Your Dashcam Settings Matter!

Ensure your camera is optimized to capture accidents:
✔ Loop Recording: ON
✔ G-Sensor Sensitivity: Medium-High
✔ Parking Mode: Active if hardwired
✔ Time/Date Stamp: Accurate
✔ Audio Recording: Enabled (check consent laws)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can police confiscate my dashcam?
A: Only with a court order. You’re only required to provide copies.

Q: Will footage hold up in SA courts?
A: Yes, if properly timestamped and unedited (Electronic Communications Act).

Q: My camera didn’t save the crash – why?
A: Likely due to:

• Improper G-sensor settings

• Full memory card

• Power interruption

Q: The other driver offered me cash to delete it – what do I do?
A: Refuse. This is potentially a criminal offense (defeating justice).

The Bottom Line

In South Africa’s chaotic traffic environment, your dashcam transforms from a nice-to-have to an essential legal safeguard. By following these steps, you’ll:

✔ Protect yourself from fraudulent claims
✔ Speed up insurance processes
✔ Have leverage in disputes
✔ Potentially help catch hit-and-run drivers

Remember: The few minutes you spend properly securing your dashcam evidence could save you months of headaches and thousands of rands. Drive safe out there – and let your dashcam watch your back.

Need a reliable dashcam? Explore models with crash-proof recording at The Car Dash Cam Store.