If you deleted the file by accident, and then after that recorded again, then you might have a problem.
If the memory space where the recording was have not been used you might be good, and able to restore it using that colleagues recovery software, but if you have recorded after that and things have been written in that memory space completely or just part of the memory space i am afraid you might have lost your recording.
I think its a good idea to not mess with ones dashcam at the scene of a crash, better to wait until you get home and calmed down and so less likely to do user errors.
I would never even talk about my cameras if i had been in a crash, only thing i might do is look at them to ensure it / they are still recording after the event to get any footage there that might be needed later on.
Panic sure do mess things up, months agi a lade fell from a 2 floor window and landed almost on top of my car, but doing first aid on her, i had a awefull problem finding her pulse, though i am certified for the higher level of first aid.
I did find it alright and was pretty normal, but it took a embarrassing long time to do, at least thats how it felt, also took a lifetime before the ambulance arrived.
So yes it is commendable to do the right thing or do something at least in a event, but some times you just get so freaked even if its really not something special.
I ave the same in test / exam / competition situations, no matter how strong i am in the subject i perform at least 25% worse, its just something i have had to live with all my life cuz it have not gotten batter with age.
