3 Reasons to Install a Dashcam in Your Car
Author: Auger Law | January 17th, 2020
How using your smartphone as a dashcam can help protect you
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video is priceless.
These days, everything is being recorded. With the ubiquity of smartphones, we have the ability to capture moments at a second’s notice. From social media to home security and even traffic lights, video technology is everywhere.
Enter dashcams. Even if you haven’t been following the hype surrounding dashcams here in the U.S., you’ve probably at least seen the crazy dashcam footage on Facebook or YouTube from countries like Russia, where everyone has one in their car. In fact, dashcams are widely used all around the world by taxi and bus drivers, police officers, and trucking companies. This is because dashcams provide video proof of situations or events.
What is a dashcam?
Dashcams, or dashboard-mounted cameras, are devices designed to record everything that happens when you drive. They consist of a single or double lens digital camera that mounts via a suction cup to your window or dashboard, powered by batteries or through your vehicle via the auxiliary power outlet.
Dashcams can capture those moments that would normally come down to your “version” of the story. Whatever the occurrence—a car cutting you off, someone jumping in front of your vehicle, or an animal darting across the road—the dashcam records it and saves it for later reference.
Why you should consider using a dashcam in your vehicle
1. You have first-hand evidence of a car accident
This is by far the main reason why millions of car drivers have decided to invest their time and money in dashcams, especially in Russia, where you can see the highest number of dashcam users at the moment. Simply put, the camera will start recording as soon as you start your car’s engine and it will provide real-time, efficient, straight-to-the-point proof in case of accident.
If a car crash took place and your vehicle was involved, then you can prove that it was not your fault and you can send the videotape as evidence, should there be any court trial. This way, the other party will be held responsible for the accident and will be obliged to pay for your own car repairs – without the video evidence, the other driver may claim that the fault was entirely yours, as it often happens that the guilty drivers tend to put the blame on the victims.
The dashcam is the strongest and most efficient proof you have for defending yourself, in case of a car crash. In the end, it is better to have one and to stay on the safe side, as it can help you save a lot of time, money and trouble in the long run.
2. You can avoid wrongfully issued tickets
Despite the best intentions of law enforcement departments, wrongfully issued tickets do occur. For example, a study by the Chicago Tribune found that thousands of Illinois drivers were issued tickets in error between 2007 and 2014.1 The tickets were generated by robotic cameras that malfunctioned.
If you’re wrongfully issued a ticket—and you’ve installed a dashcam in your car—you may be able to prove your innocence and avoid paying fines or receiving points on your record, which can increase your auto insurance premiums.
3. You can save on insurance premiums in the long run.
As mentioned above, many car accidents come down to one person’s word against another’s. The other person might have made a mistake while driving and caused a terrible accident. However, there’s no proof that they made that mistake, so you’re left with an at-fault claim on your record.
That’s why getting a dashcam can help you save money on insurance in the long run. With a dashcam, you can reduce your chances of being blamed for a collision that genuinely wasn’t your fault.
A single at-fault collision can raise insurance premiums by 50% to 80%. A dashcam may be able to prove the collision was caused by another driver. Instead of your insurance prices rising by 50% to 80%, they stay the same and you maintain your good driving record. Using a dashcam can save you thousands of dollars on car insurance even without a discount from your insurance company.
To sum it all up, a dashcam is a great investment from a safety and legal standpoint. Similar to buying an extended protection plan on a new TV, installing a dashcam in your vehicle gives you peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, your rights will still be protected.
What to do if you’ve been in an auto accident
At Auger & Auger, we understand the hardship and loss that is suffered after a car or truck accident involving serious injury or death. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, call us immediately to ensure your rights are protected. We have represented thousands of satisfied clients throughout North Carolina and South Carolina over the last 25 years and recovered millions on their behalf. We handle everything for our clients so you can focus on feeling better.
Get a FREE case review. Call today (800) 559-5741
References:
Kidwell D and Richards A. “Red light cameras tag thousands for undeserved tickets.” Chicago Tribune. 18 July 2014. Available at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-red-light-camera-ticket-spikes-met-20140717-story.html
