“Traffic was crazy today!” If you’ve ever thought or uttered that phrase, you might want to consider installing a dashcam in your vehicle.
Insurance claims often get denied when it’s a word vs. word situation. There aren’t always witnesses to a traffic wreck. Responding officers very rarely actually witness the wreck itself and so their reports are written after the fact based on the parties’ statements. Dashcams don’t lie and can tip the scales in your favor when there are no other witnesses to a traffic wreck.
Traffic and inattentive drivers combine to cause many accidents, but a dashcam can help your car accident attorney pursue maximum compensation for you if you’re injured by another on the road.
If you’ve been injured by another driver, whether you have a dashcam or don’t, contact an experienced car accident injury attorney today at 1-866-900-7078 for a free case evaluation before you agree to anything! Don’t leave money on the table.
What Are the Benefits of a Dashcam?
A dashcam turns your car into an objective witness to what happened around or to it. When something bad happens, you have footage, and it can be hard to argue with video evidence – though some insurance adjusters may deny your claim anyway.
Here’s a list of 7 reasons you may need a dashcam:
1: Provide Evidence in a Car Accident
Imagine a negligent driver causes an accident that injures you or someone you love but denies fault anyway. Dashcam footage can help prove that you had the green light or right of way. Depending on your camera’s capabilities, it might also be able to show that you were not driving distracted and had your attention on the road. If your device has speed monitoring features, you may be able to prove you weren’t speeding either.
In the hands of an experienced attorney, this kind of footage can provide you with substantial leverage in a claim against the at-fault insurance company.
2: Prevent Insurance Fraud
When a negligent driver tries to shift the blame for a crash onto an innocent party, that’s technically an attempt at insurance fraud – they’re trying to get someone else’s insurance to pay for their misdeed. For example, if another vehicle cuts in front of you and abruptly slows to ensure you hit them, they may simply be looking to file an insurance claim for profit. There are some infuriating dashcam videos of people attempting this sort of thing – only to realize they’re caught on camera!
3: Help Protect Your Vehicle From Theft or Vandalism
A nice benefit of a dashcam, depending on your device’s features, is that it can keep watch over your vehicle. Some have sensors that begin recording when they sense movement outside of the vehicle or within it. Some may even activate on a loud noise or if the vehicle is jostled or lifted. Dashcam footage can help identify who damaged your property so you can pursue compensation from them.
4: Enhance Your Vision and Safety
When reversing, some dashcams can display live feeds of remote cameras with a wider angle than your built-in rearview camera. Other dashcams have lane-departure warnings and similar driver aids that can help you navigate traffic more safely. A dashcam, then, can help you avoid accidents, and when the accident can’t be avoided, may be able to help you and your attorney prove the other party’s fault.
5: Monitor Novice or Aging Drivers
Less experienced drivers or those whose reaction times and perception have slowed with age should have a dashcam installed. Interior footage can help you teach younger drivers how to be safer drivers or determine when an older driver may need to let someone else do the driving.
Younger drivers may also drive more conservatively and safely if they’re aware they’re being monitored. Novice and aging drivers may also be more likely to get targeted for insurance fraud scams, so the extra protection can be a very good thing.
6: You Drive Safer
When you’re aware that you’re being recorded – even if it’s your own camera – a recent study shows you tend to be on your best behavior. The last thing you’d want to do is drive negligently, cause a crash, injure someone, and have your dashcam footage prove your own liability.
7: Help Your Fellow Drivers in Case of an Accident
The benefits of a dashcam go beyond just you. If you witness an accident, the footage it collects could be vital to helping the victim’s attorney seek maximum compensation on their behalf. The more dashcams there are, the greater likelihood an accident gets recorded. One day, someone might have the dashcam footage you need to prove your innocence in a wreck.
Is It Legal to Have a Dashcam in North and South Carolina?
Dashcams are legal in the United States, and in both North and South Carolina. However, there is a slight difference in the way each state requires them to be installed.
In North Carolina, there is no specific guideline or legal requirement for where or how a dashcam should be installed.
In South Carolina, dashcams must be installed on the dashboard and not the windshield.
A dashcam should ideally be mounted where it has a good view of the road without blocking the driver’s view of the road. Dashcams can be self-installed, but you may also opt to have the device professionally installed in your vehicle.
What Are the Drawbacks of a Dashcam?
The primary drawback of a dashcam is the cost. Prices range from very affordable basic devices to expensive, feature-rich dashcams. You should also consider the cost of a professional installation if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself. Many dashcams also use memory cards which are often not included with the device and must be replaced periodically.
Can the Police Use Your Dashcam Against You?
Yes. In an auto accident, if a police officer spots a dashcam, they may be able take the camera and its footage as evidence. Even if the police do not take the footage, the other driver may subpoena the dashcam and its footage – and withholding or destroying that footage may be a crime. Your dashcam, then, can be an incentive for you to drive safely and responsibly.
Should I Hire an Attorney Even if My Dashcam Proves Me Right?
Many people think that dashcam footage is a slam dunk for their case, and while that may be true in some cases, it isn’t always. Insurance companies have many years of experience dealing with dashcam footage, so you should not rely solely on it to prevail. An attorney can help you seek maximum compensation with the footage and counter any insurance company tactics to pay you less.
In addition, an experienced attorney knows how to seek out any additional insurance policies that may apply to your accident and injury, meaning more possible compensation. Even with the footage, you may only know about one policy and therefore shortchange yourself at the end of the day. An experienced car accident attorney knows the system, what to look for, and how to leverage any dashcam footage on your behalf while seeking maximum compensation.
Why Hire the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Our experienced team of auto accident attorneys has seen many different types of cases. We also have attorneys on the team who share their inside knowledge from working for insurance companies and defense firms. Our attorneys know insurance adjuster tactics – and how to counter them.
In addition to seeking maximum compensation, we strive to provide our clients with the highest level of service. We pride ourselves on putting you first. That means responsive communication, thorough investigation, and deep compassion. We also advance all costs of fighting your case. And if we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us no attorney’s fee at all. Guaranteed.2
But don’t take our word for it. See our client testimonials and reviews!
Since 1997, we’ve helped more than 65,000 people recover more than $1.8 billion in total compensation. And counting.1 We know how to help you, but don’t delay! Call 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online today for a free professional opinion on your case.
