Can I claim with no dashcam?
There is no video, and you are afraid it will simply be your word against theirs.
No dashcam does not mean no case. Malaysian road accident claims were being decided long before dashcams existed, and most still are decided without one. The police report, witness accounts and physical evidence usually carry the claim.
Why this fear feels so real
Dashcam footage looks so conclusive online that its absence can feel disqualifying. Without it, the accident can feel like your memory against the other driver’s.
A road accident claim rarely rests on one piece of evidence. Several smaller pieces together tell a consistent story.
What carries weight instead
- The police sketch plan and report, prepared soon after the accident.[1]
- Independent witnesses who saw what happened and are willing to say so.
- Photos of the vehicles, the road surface, skid marks and debris.
- The pattern and location of damage on both vehicles, which often shows the direction of impact.
- CCTV from nearby shops, homes or traffic cameras, if it can be found and requested quickly.
Who is at fault after an accident explains how these pieces decide fault.
What to do in the hours after
- Take photos before any vehicle is moved, from several angles.
- Note the exact location, time and direction of travel of both vehicles.
- Ask anyone who saw it for their name and phone number.
- Check for CCTV on nearby buildings and ask early, since footage is often overwritten within days.
- Report to the police and get a copy of the report and sketch plan.
The limits
Weaker evidence can make a dispute take longer, and a contested case without independent witnesses is harder than one with clear footage. It does not make the claim impossible.
What to do next
The claim process explains how evidence is gathered, and do you need a lawyer covers when to bring one in. An independent lawyer can take your claim on and request CCTV and police records for you. Send the accident date, where it happened, whether anyone was injured (yes/no) and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
Do I need a dashcam to make a claim?
No. Dashcam footage helps, but most Malaysian road accident claims are decided without it, using the police report, sketch plan, witness statements and physical evidence such as vehicle damage and road markings.
What evidence matters most without video?
The police sketch plan and report usually matter most, because they record positions, damage and the officer's observations soon after the accident. Independent witness accounts and clear photos of the scene also carry real weight.
Should I still take photos if I have no dashcam?
Yes. Photos of both vehicles, the road, any skid marks and the surrounding area, taken as soon as it is safe, can substitute for a large part of what video would have shown.
Can I use CCTV from a nearby shop or building?
Often yes, if you or your lawyer request it quickly. Many CCTV systems overwrite footage within days, so identifying nearby cameras and asking for the recording early matters more than waiting.
Sources
- AskLegal.my, on the police report and sketch plan (accessed 2026-09-22)
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.