The history of dashcams, or dashboard cameras, spans several decades. The evolution of the device plus years, plus the ever-evolving consumer needs in an increasingly digitized world.
The first dashcams were introduced nearly fifty years ago. The dashcams of the 1980s were primarily used by professional drivers, like law enforcement officers. These early dashcam systems were often quite expensive, cumbersome to use, and awkwardly large to place. By the 1990s, dashcam technology had advanced so significantly that these nifty devices were successfully marketed on a commercial basis but were still relatively rare for use by everyday drivers.
By the 21st century, when technology shifted from analogue to digital and created amazing and affordable videos, the dashcam became quite user-friendly and a popular item for drivers of all ages – with varying purposes. By the time the more modern dashcams began to connect seamlessly to smartphones and other digital devices, users were given complete control over the view, storage, and sharing of the dashcam’s video footage. Recent advancements in the modern dashcam have added these features, with more technological advancements added with the manufacturing of each new generation of dashcams –
- GPS/Location Tracking.
- Motion/Impact Sensors.
- 360 Degree Recording.
- High Resolution.
- Enhanced Night Vision.
- Wide Dynamic Range Technology.
- Voice Control Technology.
- Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS) Capabilities, and more.
It is noted that newer manufactured vehicles are automatically equipped with built-in dashcams, or the cars/trucks actually have cameras as an integrated part of their vehicle safety control systems.
The dashcam industry continues to evolve, with ongoing improvements now found in video quality, storage capacities, and additional features to help keep the roads safer for everybody. To boot, the dashboard camera has become a valuable and useful tool for those who need legal assistance and beyond. The firm Legal Help In Colorado states that clients with dashcams win their cases drastically more often than those without.
The Use of Dashcam Footage as Evidence in Legal Cases and Insurance Claims
Although not intended or designed for use by attorneys, dashcams have proven to be incredibly helpful to lawyers navigating automobile accident cases. This is because the video provides valuable evidence and verifiable documentation that could make a substantial difference in the outcome of a legal matter related to a vehicle collision.
In addition, attorneys have the option of using dash camera recordings to educate each client about their lawsuit’s strengths/weaknesses. With this visual evidence and a better understanding of the legal aspects of their situation, clients can make better-informed decisions as they move forward with their legal matters.
Here’s how dashcam video footage contributes to the legal process –
The most apparent benefit of a dashcam is that this recording device has the capacity to objectively (that is, without bias) capture the events that led up to – happened during – and after the accident in question. This impartial documentation provided by the dashcam video footage can demonstrate critical facts attorneys can use to accurately reconstruct the sequence of incidents that caused the crash that led to injuries, property damage, and more.
Dashcam Footage Helps Establish Fault
Dashcam footage can be instrumental in demonstrating the party who was at fault and caused the accident and resulting damages and injuries. Attorneys can utilize the footage from the dashcam to establish responsibility for the collision. Important information that can be obtained from viewing a dashcam video includes –
- Traffic Signals/Signs at the Scene.
- Road Conditions at the Time of the Accident.
- Timeline Reconstruction.
- Witness Stories Can Be Corroborated.
- Driver Behaviors – Lane Changes.
- Speeding.
- Aggressive Driving, and more.
Dashcam Videos Assist in Resolving Disputes
In a legal matter in which parties have widely conflicting statements (or the situation does not have an independent or unbiased witness/observer), dashcam video footage is an ideal way to provide a clear, accurate, and reliable account of the automobile or car collision. With video evidence, attorneys can resolve disputes more directly/efficiently, which often leads to faster settlements with reduced legal costs.
Dashcam Footage Works Effectively as Courtroom Evidence
Dashcam footage can be admitted as evidence as part of a lawsuit. This video footage offers a powerful visual representation that can be persuasive, convincing, and compelling when presented to juries and judges. These legal decision-makers, who are a part of the legal proceedings – then get a unique perspective – from the purview of the driver when learning the details/facts about the automobile accident that caused the damages.
Dashcam Videos Expedite the Time It Takes to Settle Legal Matters
With clear and compelling dashcam videos, attorneys are provided with the evidence they need to negotiate settlements more effectively and efficiently. Insurance companies may find it more tenable to settle a legal matter when their decision-makers are challenged with indisputable video evidence. Ultimately, video recordings reduce the time, effort, and money typically needed for a long, drawn-out legal conflict.
Other Matters in Which Dashcam Videos Are Extremely Valuable Devices for All Drivers.
Dashcams and the video footage they provide as evidence have the potential to help you and your attorney in these instances and more –
Dashcam Footage Supports Insurance Claims Related to an Accident or Any Covered Event.
Dashcam videos offer an excellent and accurate visual record that will help support the submission of insurance claims/reimbursements related to the accident or event. The footage from the dash camera is often used effectively to demonstrate to the insurance companies/adjusters – the extent of the damages and injuries related to the claim. In essence, the recorded video helps the insurer evaluate liability faster and, therefore, process your claim faster and with greater accuracy.
Dashcam Footage is Effective at Fraud Prevention
Dashcams play a role in preventing insurance fraud, which is a large financial burden for insurance companies – and the drivers who absorb the cost of this criminal behavior. Attorneys often use dashcam video recording to identify the incidents in which the accident was staged, and the related claims are fraudulent – ultimately protecting the clients they represent from false accusations.
In addition, it is noted that the presence of a dashcam is often – by itself – a device that acts as a deterrent for those who intend to commit fraud or try to defraud another. In other words, when the potential actions of someone doing something unlawful are being obviously recorded, it is likely that this will discourage them from attempting to stage accidents or make false claims against another individual.
Dashcam Footage Helps Determine Third-Party Accountability or the Cause of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Dashcams have the capacity to capture the actions of other individuals who may have contributed to the accident but have gone unnoticed for a number of reasons. This accurate and unbiased information and video data can be vital in those lawsuits in which there may be multiple people who contributed to the cause of the incident and damages.
Additionally, in those incidents where the party at fault leaves the scene after hitting your vehicle, a dashcam video can be tremendously valuable. This is because the recorded dashcam video offers accurate data/information to assist law enforcement in identifying/apprehending those individuals by capturing –
- A snapshot of the vehicle involved in the collision.
- A picture of the license plate and other essential identifying details.
- Other important details that are unique to the accident and situation.
Dashcam Recordings Accurately Verify Road Rage Incidents.
Dashcam videos can also capture aggressive driving and other video evidence that may be available should you be involved in a road rage situation. Recordings are easily shared with law enforcement officers and related parties – who have the authority to hold the responsible party accountable for their aggressive driving or behavior that likely contributed to unsafe road conditions.
Dashcam Footage Helps in Police Investigations
Dashcam recordings, when shared with law enforcement officers, are effective tools that can be used as part of their police work and investigations. This recorded data can help determine accurately who was at fault and who contributed to the accident that caused the injuries and damages.
Dashcams – The Take-Away
In just a short time, dashcams have become indispensable tools for attorneys who represent clients who have been involved in a car or vehicle collision. Because the recordings provide unbiased, neutral, and reliable evidence of the events in question, dashcams are a powerful type of legal and accurate evidence that is used by lawyers as part of modern, standard legal proceedings.
The dash camera is a small device that is quite affordable and easy to use. It also enhances the accuracy and efficiency of investigations required to determine fault in an automobile crash.
If you don’t have a dashcam, it might be a good time to consider buying one to help protect you in the future. If you have a dashcam and but need some assistance with your case, don’t navigate the legal process without the help of a legal specialist.
It’s essential to note that the insurance/legal implications regarding the use of dashcam footage may vary by location. Some regions may set forth specific rules that govern the use of dashcams, and the admissibility of the video recordings as legal evidence may have to meet established criteria.
