Should I Use a Dashcam in British Columbia?
Historically, the tools available to determine fault in a car accident were limited. Investigators could inspect the damage to the vehicle and interview witnesses, but the cause was often hard to determine. When both drivers pointed the finger at each other– often it could be impossible to determine fault.
As technology continued to spread, personal injury law firm investigators obtained new tools. Crime scene experts began to measure the lengths of skid marks to determine which drivers attempted to stop. Traffic cameras record what occurred at major intersections. While these advances were helpful, they were only available in limited situations. Enter the dashcam.
They are mobile cameras mounted on the dashboard of your vehicle. They constantly record, often capturing in great detail how an accident occurs. While they are legal to use and have their benefits, some drawbacks should be considered. Below, we discuss how it can help your claim.
Benefits of Dashcams
The primary benefits of a dashcam are obvious. During a trial, the lack of video often leads the lawyers for both sides spinning their versions of what happened. With a video, the jury could watch what happened for themselves. Importantly, the court could review the important parts of the video frame by frame to determine minor details about the accident. Was it a red light? Was the turn signal on? These factors that are commonly disputed could be determined with certainty, thanks to the video.
This video footage can offer other benefits in addition to trial evidence. In a hit and run accident, it could record the other driver’s license plate or even capture a glimpse of their face. This video has even been used to identify drivers that hit unmanned cars in parking lots and leave without contacting the owner.
Drawbacks of Dashcams
Like any technology, they are not perfect. Some models result in grainy, imperfect video quality. When quality is low, it can be difficult to make out what is happening. This is common when the accident occurs at high speed.
Additionally, cameras only face in one direction. When it is recording from the front dashboard, it will not capture accidents that occur to the sides or rear of a vehicle. Keep in mind that if you are involved in a crash, you will be required to turn over the video even if you are at fault.
The most important drawback of a dashcam is its impact on your safety. Despite its benefits, it’s an additional device in your vehicle. It could distract you in some cases, which could result in a crash if you take your eyes off the road. For the most part, however, it is possible to operate a vehicle with a dashcam without serious distraction issues. The camera works on its own and should not require any attention while driving.
Contact us at Preszler Injury Lawyers today
Whether or not it is for you is entirely your decision. The benefits are clear, both during the trial and when identifying the person responsible for a crash. However, these devices are not perfect. They could lead to distractions, fail to work properly, or even provide evidence against you if you are at fault. For many, these benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
If you make use of a dashcam, it could provide important evidence should you have to make an ICBC claim. However, this evidence is only one piece of the puzzle. To give yourself the best chance of prevailing on your claim, you could benefit from working closely with our car accident law firm. We are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to. To learn more, contact us and schedule your free case evaluation.
