You may have seen people post videos on social media from their dash cams as they drive down the highway. Some of the scenes might be funny while others are shocking. Dash cams provide more than entertainment value. They can be an important part of driving as they record what’s happening in front of you, which is valuable if you’re involved in an accident.
Dash Cams Provide Evidence
If you’re involved in a collision with another vehicle, the dash cam can record what happened. The video provides an unbiased account that will hold up in court. It can’t be changed, and it doesn’t forget details like a person’s testimony.
It can be difficult to find a witness to recount what happened in the accident. Many people don’t want to get involved, so they leave the scene before the police can take their statement. If they do hang around, they may have trouble recalling all the details of what happened, especially anything that occurred before the impact. They may have seen the other vehicle hit your car, but they might not know that you were sitting still at the time of the crash because they weren’t paying attention before they heard the sounds of impact.
Dash Cams Show the Whole Story to Determine Fault
In most accidents, it’s your word against the other person as to who is at fault. You may find other witnesses, but they often contradict each other. One person may have seen part of the accident while someone else saw something different. Dash cams tell the whole story. They show what happened before the collision and whether either vehicle was disobeying the rules of the road or driving recklessly. The police officer can review the footage to know if they should give out a ticket and to which driver.
Dash Cams Help Settle Insurance Investigations
Insurance companies don’t want to pay out for claims unless they know who is at fault. In California, it becomes an even bigger deal. In this state, insurance payouts are based on the percentage of the blame. If it’s decided that the victim was 20 percent at fault for the accident, the insurance provider only has to pay 80 percent of the claim. This situation often leads to disputes and delays in payment. If you have a dash cam that tells the whole story, the insurance company must pay out accordingly.
Since the video shows what clearly happened, there are fewer disputes, and the victim can get their money faster. The insurance provider is less likely to lowball the settlement offer since there is evidence that supports the victim’s claim.
If you’ve never had a dash cam before, you may want to consider buying one and installing it in your vehicle. It can help you save time and money if you’re the victim of a collision someday.
If you need legal assistance to help you get the compensation you deserve for injuries in an accident where you weren’t at fault, you can contact LA Injury Attorneys. We’re proud to serve our communities, including Bakersfield, Glendale, and Fresno.