A dashcam is a small, battery-powered security camera that can record what’s beyond your windshield. Some systems also have a camera recording out the back window. They can provide excellent evidence of what happened in an accident. Whether they’re worth the time and expense is up to you, but depending on the facts, it could be worth more than its weight in gold if you’re in an accident.
Evidence is the foundation of a car accident case. Finding the facts and telling them effectively and credibly are critical to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Call The Fleck Firm for a free consultation at (270) 446-7000 if you’ve been hurt in a vehicle accident so we can talk about how we can help.
A Dashcam Can Help Your Case
Dashcams record more than video. They can also record audio, time, speed, and location for some time before they’re erased to make room for new data. The information can be downloaded to a computer and saved longer or shared with others (such as with your attorney, the police, or your insurance company).
This information could show how much at fault you others are. In a personal injury case, video and other data could be very helpful, especially if it contradicts the other driver. When that happens, you will have information that helps your case and it also hurts the other party’s credibility. An insurance company will probably be much more flexible in settling once it understands its insured isn’t truthful and can’t be relied upon for a strong defense.
Typically recording starts when you turn the ignition. Some dashcams have small screens so you can see what’s recorded without having to connect the unit or its memory card to a computer. A recent review stated the better units (including one for motorcycles) cost about $200 to $430.
Other attorneys take contingent fees of 33% to 50% of your settlement.
We want you to keep more of your money.
Our contingent fee is only 30% on cases settled prior to filing suit.
A Dashcam Can Hurt Your Case
The dashcam doesn’t blink. The data recorded could show the accident’s your fault. You shouldn’t tamper with or delete dashcam information after an accident, even if it makes you look bad. The investigating police officer will probably notice your dashcam and ask that you provide them the video. The other driver may see it too, so their insurance company will want a copy as well.
Destroying this evidence is a really bad idea:
- It may result in criminal charges if it’s evidence needed for a criminal investigation
- An insurance company won’t want to settle with someone destroying evidence
- A judge could sanction you
- A jury won’t believe anything you say
- If we learn you’ve destroyed evidence, you’ll need another attorney because we won’t represent you
A Dashcam May Come in Handy for Many Reasons
Dashcams can be helpful in many ways. If you are intentionally hit by criminals who want to extort money from you, the dashcam could show what happened. If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you may have critical information that can help police find who’s responsible.
If you drive for Uber or Lyft, you may want a device that records what’s going on inside the car. This can help discourage passengers from robbing you or stealing your vehicle and show who committed the crime if it happens. It could also disprove passenger claims you mistreated them in some way.
If you’re being investigated for or arrested because of a driving-related crime, dashcam video can be very helpful. If an officer claims you were pulled over for speeding or you were weaving in and out of traffic lanes, the video might show that wasn’t the case. If the officer acts illegally or abuses you, the audio recording could be critical in proving that.
Get the Help You Need from an Attorney You Can Trust
Whether you have a dashcam or not, call The Fleck Firm for a free consultation at (270) 446-7000 if you’re injured in a vehicle accident. We’ll discuss it, your injuries, Kentucky law, and your best options to proceed. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one too.
