Dashcams are increasingly being used in vehicles today and for a good reason. Many people install dashcams to keep a record in case an accident does happen. When an accident occurs, if the driver who was not at fault has a dashcam, they may be able to use the footage to show that the other driver was at fault and to eliminate what could be mitigating factors in a case.
Show How the Accident Occurred
Depending on the dashcam in use and the accident, it is possible the camera will show exactly how the accident occurred. If the camera only faces forward and the driver was hit by behind, the accident wouldn’t be viewable in the footage. However, it still is possible to see that the accident happened based on the movement of the vehicle and its occupants. Some drivers have cameras that face the front and the back, so they may be able to capture the accident and what happened before the vehicle was hit.
Show Speed and Traffic
Many of the dashcams on the market today are able to show the speed limit of the driver. They also are great at showing what the traffic was like at the time since they are recording at all times when the vehicle is being driven. If the at-fault driver claims they had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting another driver or that the victim of the accident was speeding, this information can prove that the at-fault driver is not truthful. It can be the difference between winning or losing a lawsuit for compensation.
Show Weather and Other Factors
Mitigating factors can mean the at-fault driver is not held as 100% liable or is not liable at all, depending on the situation. The dashcam, however, will show if there were actually mitigating factors that could come into play. The camera can show if it was raining, if there was water on the road, if something fell on the road, or if there was something in the road that caused the at-fault driver to swerve, causing the accident. Depending on how the accident occurred and what the at-fault driver is saying, this could show that something else occurred.
The Caveat
There is a downside to having a dashcam that drivers should be aware of. If someone has a dashcam and they cause an accident, the dashcam could be used to prove they were at fault. It is possible for erased footage to be recovered in some situations and, if the footage isn’t erased, for it to be requested as evidence in a criminal or civil case.
Dashcams can be a great way to have evidence if an accident occurs, and there are plenty of inexpensive models available today that work well. Take the time to learn more about the impact a dashcam could have on a lawsuit if you are in an accident or speak to a lawyer today about your case and how having the footage from a dashcam may make a difference for you.
