Skip to Content
The Watson Firm, PLLC The Watson Firm, PLLC
Call Us Today! 850-607-2929
Top

Why Every Driver Should Have A Personal Dashboard Camera

Dashboard Camera Mounted on Car
|

No one wants to deal with a car accident. From increased insurance rates and traffic tickets to the possibility of criminal or civil liability, the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and expensive. That is why some drivers will do or say anything to avoid accepting responsibility after they have caused a car accident.

Determining who is at fault for the accident is a complicated process, especially if you don’t have video evidence or independent witness testimony. Even in a rear-end accident, the offending driver will sometimes say that the other driver slammed on their brakes without warning and caused the collision.

Video evidence is crucial when it comes to determining fault for a car accident. If an officer investigating the accident cannot determine which driver caused the collision, the officer will not issue a traffic citation. Without a traffic citation, both drivers could be left having to pay for their medical expenses and property damage. One way drivers can protect themselves from this unfortunate situation is to invest in a dashboard-mounted camera.

Dashboard Camera Evidence

If you are ever in a situation where you are involved in an accident with a dishonest driver, having a dashboard-mounted camera will provide you with invaluable evidence of your encounter. These cameras continually record footage as you drive. In fact, some cameras have motion sensors that start recording immediately upon impact with another object or vehicle, even when a vehicle is parked.

The video recorded from a dashboard-mounted camera is admissible in court and provides near incontrovertible evidence of what caused an accident. Additionally, a dashboard camera can provide crucial evidence if you are pulled over for a traffic stop by law enforcement.

Dashboard camera technology has improved over the years. Modern dash-cameras have:

  • Onboard Memory
  • High Definition Front & Rear Facing Cameras
  • Night Vision
  • LCD Color Touch Screens
  • Motion Sensor Technology
  • Internal Memory
  • Built-In GPS
  • Wi-Fi
  • “LTE Instant Video”

Dashboard cameras can be powered through a cigarette lighter, wired through the vehicle battery, or attached to the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.

Can a Dashboard Camera Hurt My Claim?

Although a dashboard camera can help you gather important evidence, it can also hurt your car accident case. The same video that can be used to prove your case could also be used to show that your actions caused the accident.

For example, the video from your dash-cam can show that you were speeding, ran a red light, or were distracted at the time of the accident. However, if you are a safe driver, the benefits of having a dash-cam outweigh the risk of the camera capturing footage that might weaken your accident claim.

Speak to an Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, call our legal team to discuss what legal options are available to you. During your free consultation, our team of investigators and attorneys can assist you in locating important evidence that will help you present a strong case against the other driver. We are prepared to fight for you.

Call (850) 607-2929 to speak to a Pensacola personal injury lawyer. We offer free case evaluations.