Technological advancements have seeped into every aspect of our lives, including how we handle car accidents. The emergence of dashcams has revolutionized how we gather evidence and document events on the road. These compact devices, mounted discreetly on the dashboard of your vehicle, continuously record footage of your journey.
While primarily intended to capture unforeseen events, driving recorders have become invaluable tools for settling disputes and providing evidence in accident claims. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the benefits of dashcams in accident claims. We will explore how you can maximize their utility to protect yourself and your interests.
The Role of Dashcams in Accident Claims
Dashcams are impartial witnesses to the events leading up to and following a car accident. Their footage can provide crucial evidence regarding the sequence of events, the actions of each party involved, and the road conditions. This evidence can be pivotal in determining fault and liability, especially when eyewitness accounts are contradictory or unreliable.
For instance, a police SUV recently ran into a bar, and the bar owner was arrested for allegedly shoving the officer. According to KSDK, Lt. Col. Renee Kriesmann stated that no dash camera was on the car.
However, the police officer was wearing a body camera, the footage of which cannot be released. The reason for not releasing the footage is that it is a part of a criminal investigation against the bar owner.
If the car had a driving camera, its video could have been released. This could have allowed the two things, accident and criminal charges, to be handled separately. Similarly, there are many other scenarios where a dashcam can become very important.
Here’s how driving cameras play a crucial role in accident claims:
Objective Documentation
Dashcams are invaluable tools in providing objective documentation for car accident claims. By continuously recording the road ahead, they offer an unbiased account of events leading to an accident. This footage can be crucial evidence of fault and liability in insurance claims and legal proceedings.
By capturing the scene from a neutral perspective, dashcams mitigate disputes over the sequence of events and provide clarity in complex situations. For instance, there was a recent crash in St. Louis, Missouri.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, three 15-year-old teens were riding in a car and got into an accident. This led to their untimely death. The first thing that would come to mind is that they might not have a legal driving license on the road. Although it might be true, this could be a biased decision.
The dashcam footage recovered from the car shows that a police officer was chasing them for speeding. However, just before the collision, the police car’s emergency lights were turned down, and he lost the car. The footage shows that the police officer drove past the crash without realizing what happened.
This could prove that the office might be at fault for not noticing the accident and calling for medical aid. In such a scenario, a St. Louis auto accident lawyer can help the mothers to make this into a wrongful death. This could give a chance to the mothers of the deceased teens to seek compensation.
According to TorHoerman Law, the attorney can help collect more evidence to strengthen a case. They can then help present the gathered evidence in front of the city and police department. If all the proof shows that the police officer was guilty, it could at least offer financial aid to the mourning mothers.
Protection Against Fraud
Unfortunately, fraud claims in car accidents are common, with individuals sometimes exaggerating or falsifying injuries, damages, etc., for financial gain. Dashcam footage can debunk false claims and provide insurers, law enforcement, and courts with accurate information to make fair and informed decisions.
Consider a recent example highlighted in The New York Times. The article from the online news website states that around two dozen individuals were charged for an insurance fraud chain. They made up over a dozen car crashes, resulting in over $1 million in claims.
The fraudsters went on to heights of putting weight on seats to make airbags deploy. They also used bottled water to fasten seat belts around them. Moreover, they also used hammers to crash windows and received medical treatment for fake injuries. Recent federal documents revealed all this information, putting the fraudsters behind bars.
Besides protecting against fraud, dashcams can also deter reckless driving behaviors and fraudulent activities on the road. Since their actions are being recorded, drivers may be less inclined to attempt to stage accidents for fraud.
Quick Resolution
One key benefit of dashcams is their ability to provide irrefutable evidence in insurance claims and legal proceedings. Rather than relying solely on subjective accounts or eyewitness testimony, insurers and authorities can review the objective footage captured by the dashcam.
This can help determine fault and liability quickly, expediting the claims process and leading to faster resolutions for all parties involved. For instance, a teen volleyball player who lost her legs has sued the two drivers involved and the city of St. Louis.
CBS News states that the volleyball player, Janae Edmonson, was in St. Louis for a tournament. She had her bright future right in front of her, which was ripped due to the accident. After the collision, she sued the alleged driver at fault, Daniel Riley, another driver, and the city for $25,000.
In this case, dashcam footage from Riley’s car or the other driver’s vehicle can offer irrefutable evidence. This can enable quick resolution of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dashcam Footage Be Used as Evidence in Court?
Indeed, dashcam footage is permissible as evidence in legal proceedings. However, its admissibility may be subject to authentication requirements and relevance to the case at hand. Ensuring that the footage is properly preserved and presented by legal standards is crucial.
Do Dashcams Record Audio?
Some driving cameras have built-in microphones that capture audio along with video footage. However, audio recording may be subject to privacy laws, and in some jurisdictions, it may be illegal to record audio without the consent of all parties involved.
How long do dashcam recordings stay saved?
The length of dashcam recordings varies based on factors like the storage capacity of the device and the resolution settings chosen. Most driving cameras loop record, meaning they continuously overwrite older footage as storage space fills up. However, important footage can be protected from deletion manually or by impact sensors.
In conclusion, dashcams are invaluable tools for documenting and resolving accident claims. By investing in a quality driving camera and following best practices, drivers can enhance their safety on the road. Whether navigating congested city streets or embarking on a cross-country road trip, having a dashcam by your side provides an extra layer of security.