Proving fault in car accident cases may begin to get much easier.
Dashboard cameras (dash cams), are the latest trend in the public’s recent obsession with cameras. From action cameras and drones to the humble selfie stick, camera technology has really progressed in recent years. Taking high-quality photos and videos doesn’t have to be expensive. Dash cams have become increasingly affordable while offering many benefits to motorists.
Equipping your car with dash cams means that every single time you drive, your dash cam can record each second. These small cameras sit on the dashboard and continuously record footage of the road ahead. Although dash cams can sit in the rear windscreen or even film the inside of the car, they are mostly used to film the road ahead. The resulting footage is a kind of driver’s eye view of the road.
Unlike handheld cameras, dash cams sit stationary in one place. However, they record continuously, meaning that anything that happens on the road will be captured automatically. Many modern dash cams film in full HD, meaning that the viewer gets a clear view of what is happening on the road. This footage has a range of uses but perhaps the most useful is to record a crime or traffic violation in case of an insurance claim or court hearing. On occasion, something funny might be captured and uploaded on the internet for the entertainment of others.
From a personal injury standpoint, this tech trend is shaping up to be a real help to attorneys who’s clients have been hit by another driver. Drivers equipped with front and rear dash cams who are hit by another driver will have a powerful tool for attorneys like ours to use when negotiating a case or if the case goes to court.
Likewise, hit and run perpetrators should beware. Take this recent video recorded by a Dallas driver from his rear dash cam which he shared publicly on Reddit. A Lexus rear-ends the driver on the freeway. The offending driver visibly expresses anger, backs up, and tries to flee the scene after the dash cam owner pulls over. The Lexus had no front plate. But then when he drives off, the front dash cam clearly records his license plate and shows exactly where and when the clip took place.
Take a look:
The Rising Popularity of Dash Cams
In recent years, dash cams have become increasingly popular. In addition to body cams, they are now routinely attached to police cars around the world. This helps in landing successful criminal prosecutions as well as holding the police to account. For instance, if a person is killed during an arrest, police dash cam footage can help a jury to see the full events that took place. They are often higher quality than CCTV cameras and placed at a better angle to get a more accurate picture of what occurred.
Among the general population, dash cams have also experienced a noticeable rise in popularity. Motorists are increasingly seeking to protect themselves in the case of a collision and dash cams are an easy way to capture what went on. It’s hard to say exactly how many dash cams there are on the road but the market was worth $2.8 billion in 2019 with more than 36.1 million dash cams being sold that same year.
Benefits of Dash Cams
The most significant use of dash cams is in crime prevention. Police are able to use the footage from cameras as evidence in a courtroom. When pursuing a vehicle, the camera will record the time and date that the chase took place. The driver, therefore, won’t be able to claim that they were somewhere else at the time. Alternatively, an innocent motorist might be able to use their dash cam footage to prove their alibi that they were miles away from the scene of the crime when the crime took place.
Outside of criminal prosecutions, dash cams have a number of uses. When it comes to filing an insurance claim, motorists are able to prove that a collision wasn’t their fault. Say another car pulls out unexpectedly and dangerously, causing a crash. This will be shown on the dash cam footage so that the innocent party can receive financial support to get their car fixed.
From a personal injury standpoint, this tech trend is shaping up to be a real help to attorneys who’s clients have been hit by another driver. Drivers equipped with front and rear dash cams who are hit by another driver will have a powerful tool for attorneys like ours to use when negotiating a case or if the case goes to court.
Top 5 Dash Cams
There are so many dash cams on the market, ranging from around $50 to $400. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are five that will get the job done.
- Thinkware, TW-F770d: At 1080p, this will provide enough image quality for most motorists. At night, this dash cam also performs well. However, the small body can be frustrating to work with.
- Garmin, Dash Cam Tandem: At 180 degrees, this Garmin dash cam has a wider viewing angle than many other products. The downside is that it doesn’t provide great quality at night and the app is difficult to use.
- Nextbase, 622GW: This has the highest definition of any camera on this list, with 4K filming. It also has Alexa built-in, meaning it can be voice-controlled. However, the smartphone app is underdeveloped and it doesn’t come with an SD card, adding extra costs on an already pricey camera.
- Halfords, HDC400: Motorists are drawn to this camera because it’s small and inconspicuous, despite producing sharp footage. They dislike the lack of a monitor and low storage space.
- Viofo, A129 Pro Duo: On this list, this is probably the best value dash cam, offering front and rear cameras and a clear monitor screen. However, it’s quite bulky, cumbersome, and ugly compared to the others.
Dash cams are an amazing product for the motorists, with any cons far outweighed by the benefits. However, you get what you pay for so you may have to make sacrifices or be willing to spend the money to get the best quality product.
Maedgen Accident Attorneys fight car, truck, motorcycle, and other vehicle accident cases for Dallas folks every day and advise Dallas locals on all things accident and injury law related.
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