Anyone who has ever been involved in a car accident knows how overwhelming and stressful it can be, especially if you are seriously injured. If another driver; ‘s negligence was the cause of the accident, you will most likely have to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to receive the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries and other damages.
One of the most crucial parts of the claims process is gathering and preserving evidence that proves the other driver was at fault. Although evidence such as pictures of the scene and eyewitness statements can help determine what happened in the moments leading up to and after the accident, your vehicle’s dash cam footage can capture the entirety of the incident. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced nationwide car accident attorney from Local Accident Reports can help guide you through the claims process and collect the evidence you need to achieve a successful outcome to your injury claim.
What Is a Dash Cam?
The term ‘dash cam’ is an abbreviated version of ‘dashboard camera’ which, exactly as its name suggests, is a video camera mounted onto a vehicle’s windscreen or dashboard. Most dashboard cameras can only record what happens directly in front of the vehicle, although there are a few high-end models that can also record rear-facing video and video and audio inside the vehicle, as well as stream directly to the internet. Almost all dash cams use a timestamp, so if the camera records your car being struck by another driver, it will document the date and time the incident occurred along with the license plate, make, and model of the striking vehicle. Dash cams also record details that can help establish your innocence and the other driver’s fault, such as:
- You were driving the speed limit
- You were maintaining your lane
- You were struck by another vehicle
- Another driver cut you off by swerving into your lane
- The other driver apologized for the accident
- The other driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
What Are the Advantages of Having a Dash Cam?
Dashboard cameras offer a variety of benefits and features that make them a practical investment for your car or truck, such as:
- Dashboard cameras record car accidents, supplying important evidence. Dash cam footage can help prove the other driver caused the accident, thereby ensuring your insurance premiums won’t go up and that you obtain the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries and other damages. Additionally, if the driver who hit you decides to flee the scene, dash cam footage will show the license plate number, make, and model of the striking vehicle.
- Dash cam videos can be reviewed by insurance carriers. It is not uncommon for drivers’ accounts of a car accident to devolve into a he-said/she-said situation. Dashboard cameras that provide accident reports can help you show that you were not liable for the accident. Dash cam footage can also be useful in non-accident situations, such as proving that you were not speeding if you are pulled over. Also, many auto insurance carriers offer discounts to policyholders who have dash cams installed on their vehicles. This helps them avoid wrongfully issued citations and ensures that their rates do not increase.
- Dashboard cameras help prevent insurance fraud. It is a sad fact of life that there are drivers out there who will deliberately cause car accidents and then blame their target in order to extort money from them. These drivers usually scope out owners of expensive vehicles, because they most likely have money. Then, they intentionally cause an accident that the target will have a hard, if not impossible time proving they didn’t cause. After the accident, these people fake injuries such as back injuries and whiplash and then demand compensation for their alleged damages. If your vehicle is equipped with a dash cam, it will have a record of the events surrounding your accident, which can show it was staged and prevent fraudsters from extorting money.
- Dash cams can prevent reckless driving. Usually, the mere sight of a dash prevents drivers from participating in reckless or dangerous driving.
- Dash cams help prevent vandalism and robberies. Some high-end dash cams can record and upload videos, which can act as a deterrent to thieves. If your car is broken into, your dash cam can supply video evidence which you can pass on to the investigating officer.
- Dash cams are extremely useful tools for the parents of inexperienced teenage drivers. If you have a teenager who is new to driving and you are worried about speeding, distracted driving, and other dangerous driving behaviors, a dashboard camera can record everything that happens both outside and inside the vehicle, and document the vehicle’s speed as well. If your teen knows that their actions are being filmed, they are likely to drive responsibly and safely. Dash cams are also useful if a family member or friend has a regular habit of borrowing your car. Besides your house, your vehicle is probably one of your more valuable assets and a dashboard camera can help protect it.
- Dash cams can help if your vehicle is damaged while parked. If your vehicle has a dash cam, its motion sensors will start recording when it detects any movement close by. This allows it to record someone deliberately damaging your vehicle, hitting it while it is parked, or breaking in.
What Are the Disadvantages of Having a Dash Cam?
Keep in mind that a dash cam is an impartial observer. This means, if you caused a car accident, that is what the footage is going to show. Insurance adjusters are trained to find any reason to avoid paying settlements, and incriminating dash cam footage will ensure that you are held responsible for the crash. Another disadvantage is that, if footage was recorded in a restricted area or on private property, you might not be able to use it no matter how vital it is to your claim.
Consult With a Nationwide Car Accident Attorney
An experienced car accident attorney will be able to review your dash cam footage and advise you on whether or not it is admissible and, if so, what you should do with it. If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, reach out to the nationwide car accident attorneys at Local Accident Reports. We will work to ensure you receive the financial compensation to which the law entitles you. Call us at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free consultation.