Did you know that you can use a dashboard camera to record your whole road trip?
That’s the fun side of dashcams.
Most consumers purchase them for other reasons…to record reckless drivers, have evidence in cases of accidental injury, motorcycle accidents, or auto accidents.
The insurance industry has not fully embraced the use of dashcams and there are state restrictions and privacy laws, but the use of dashcams continues to increase.
Dashcam evidence can be invaluable if you’re in an accident or witness one on the road. Are you unsure what you can do with your dashcam? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about dashcam evidence.
What is a Dashboard Camera?
Often called a dashcam for short, it is a device that you mount on your vehicle’s windshield to record and monitor the events happening on the road as you travel.
Some are more advanced and are able to record the rear of the car and inside the cabin as well. The most popular features include loop recording coupled with motion detection, WiFi, GPS, night vision, and G-Sensor.
When Can You Use Dashcam Evidence?
With a small investment of between $50 and $200, you can have peace of mind knowing that if you are involved in a car accident or an incident with the police, you’ll have video evidence. The question is when can you legally use that evidence?
Your car accident lawyer may warn you that using dashcam evidence to prove that another driver is at fault in an accident could backfire on you. It may show that you did something wrong as well.
If the other driver bears the brunt of the responsibility, the fact that some of it was your fault may reduce the amount of money you’ll receive from the insurance company.
Dashcams are illegal in some jurisdictions. There are laws against mounting things on your dashboard. In that case, the evidence would not be admissible in court.
In most of the United States, it is illegal to attach something to your windshield. Look up the laws of your state and install your dashcam in a way that deems it legal.
Where they are legal, most judges accept dashcam evidence as sufficient and your personal injury attorney will use it as well.
A dash cam can be as good as an eye witness, but is your dash cam legal? Read more here.
You Never Know When You Might Need Dashcam Evidence
Now that you know all about dashcam evidence, are you considering investing in a dashcam for your car? Always check with your state and local laws regarding the use of dashboard cameras.
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