By Eric A. Shore, Founding Attorney, Law Offices of Eric A. Shore Eric has been an injury and disability lawyer for more than 30 years.
Last updated: October 2026 Reading time: About 3 minutes
Quick Answer
If a driver hit you while you were riding your bike, video may help prove the driver caused the crash. It can show whether the driver passed too closely, turned into your path, or ran a red light. It may also contradict a driver who claims you caused the accident.
You do not need your own camera. A nearby store, home, bus, or car may have recorded the crash. The key is finding that footage before it gets erased.
What Can Video Prove After a Bike Accident?
After a crash, the driver and cyclist often tell different stories. The driver may say you swerved into traffic. You may remember riding straight when the car came into your lane. Video can help show what really happened.
It can show:
- Where you were riding just before the crash
- How closely the driver passed you
- Whether the car entered a bike lane
- Whether the driver turned without yielding
- What color the traffic light was
- Whether the driver had time to see you and react
The video does not have to show the actual impact. Even a few seconds of footage before the crash may help explain how it happened.
Can Video Prove the Driver Broke a Safe Passing Law?
Yes. Depending on the camera angle and picture quality, video may show the driver passed your bike too closely.
In Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3303 says a driver passing a bike traveling in the same direction must leave at least four feet of space. The driver must also pass at a careful and prudent reduced speed.
In New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.4 says drivers must change lanes to pass a cyclist when they can. If they cannot, they generally must leave at least four feet. If that is not safe either, they must slow to 25 mph or the posted limit if lower, be ready to stop, and pass only when it is safe.
Breaking one of these laws does not prove your whole case by itself. But video of a close pass can be strong evidence that the driver was careless.
What If the Driver Says the Crash Was Your Fault?
This is where video can matter most. After hitting a cyclist, a driver may tell the police or the insurance company that you swerved, came out of nowhere, or broke a traffic rule.
Without proof, it can become your word against theirs.
Video may show that you were riding straight, that the driver could see you, or that you had the right of way. Not every recording tells the full story. The angle, poor picture quality, or missing seconds can limit what it shows. But a clear recording may contradict the driver’s version of events and help prove you were not responsible for the crash.
What If You Did Not Have a Camera?
You may still be able to find video of your crash. Look around the spot where it happened. You might be surprised how many cameras could have caught it.
Possible sources include:
- Dashcams in nearby cars
- Security cameras at stores, gas stations, and restaurants
- Doorbell cameras on nearby homes
- Cameras on buses and delivery trucks
- Parking garages and apartment buildings
- Traffic cameras that save their recordings
Many security systems automatically record over old footage. Some video may be gone within days. Even if nobody at the scene mentioned a camera, that does not mean the crash was not recorded. Moving quickly can make a big difference.
How Do You Save Video After a Bike Crash?
If you have your own video, save the original file right away. Do not edit it, trim it, speed it up, or delete anything. Make a backup copy and keep the original safe.
If you think someone else has video, take these steps:
- Write down exactly where the crash happened.
- Note any stores, homes, or vehicles with cameras facing the road.
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses and drivers who stopped.
- Ask each camera owner to save the footage.
- Call a lawyer quickly about getting the recording.
Asking someone to save a video is a good start, but it does not guarantee they will. A lawyer can send a formal written request asking the owner to save it. When needed, a lawyer can also use the court process to get footage the owner will not hand over.
Can a Lawyer Help Find Video of Your Bike Crash?
Yes. Finding and saving video before it disappears can be one of the most important early steps after a bike crash.
At the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, we investigate where your crash happened and identify cameras that may have recorded it. Then we take steps to request and preserve that footage. Sometimes the most important evidence is a video the injured cyclist never knew existed.
We help people injured in bicycle crashes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You can learn more on our bicycle accident page.
The Bottom Line
If a car hit you while cycling in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, video may help prove what happened and who was at fault. You do not need your own camera. A nearby business, home, or car may have recorded the crash.
Do not assume there is no video. And do not wait until important footage has been erased.
If you were hurt while riding your bike, call the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore at
1-800-CANT-WORK (1-800-226-8967) for a free consultation. We can help find out whether video of your crash exists and whether it could support your claim.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Whether video exists, what it shows, and who is responsible depend on the facts of each case.
