Drivers in California see all kinds of behavior behind the wheel. Distracted commuters making business calls, careless truck drivers, tailgaters and road rage are par for the course. California has a poor traffic reputation, and with good reason. One of the biggest challenges on the road is other drivers.
Distracted drivers and poor driving habits contribute to thousands of accidents each year. But new technology is making it easier to prove who is at fault. Here’s why so many people are installing dashboard cameras onto their cars:
He said, she said
Dashboard cameras are helping motorists get to the bottom of an accident. If someone swerves in front of you and you hit them, they could claim that you had been tailgating or that you rear-ended them. With a dashboard camera, you have video proof of what happened. You can submit that proof to the court or your insurance company to back up your explanation of what really happened.
Dashboard footage, alone, isn’t necessarily considered definitive evidence, but it helps to corroborate your version of events.
Peace of mind
Many drivers feel safer driving with a dashboard camera because they know they will be able to review events after the fact. Any dangerous or erratic driving by other motorists is captured on film automatically. It can also help parents to know that they can review their child’s driving at any time.
These cameras typically record on a continuous loop. Drivers can set them up and know they don’t have to worry about recording. Everything is captured automatically.
Protection from illegal behavior
Hit-and-run accidents occur frequelty and are usually quite stressful experiences. Normally, it’s extremely difficult to identify someone after a hit-and-run. A high-definition camera can capture license plates or vehicle descriptions. This can give law enforcement a head start on finding the driver.
The same goes for insurance fraud accidents. If someone is claiming to have been rear-ended, a dashboard camera can help. Video footage can determine the legitimacy of their claim. Instead of hoping for eye-witness accounts, with a dash cam you have your own eyewitness – the video recording.
These are just a few of the reasons more drivers are turning to dashboard cameras to help them commute. If you’ve been injured in a car or truck accident due to someone’s reckless behavior, skilled legal representation can help.