Nowadays, accidents on the road are not just a ‘he said, she said’ incident. More and more, public or private video or phone recordings are capturing accidents in real time, with this evidence eventually being used in personal injury cases. But instead of relying on luck that someone else recorded your accident, you can take charge – mainly through the use of dashboard cameras, or dashcams. If you are wondering if personal injury attorneys recommend and encourage the use of dashcams, we hope to answer your questions today.
Legality and Benefits of Dashboard Cameras in Florida
In Florida, using dashcams by drivers is entirely legal, with specific considerations regarding privacy and consent. State law permits the recording of visuals on the road, which means your dashcam can continuously capture footage as you drive. However, depending on the circumstance, the audio recording may not be admissible.
The good news? A dashcam video of almost any kind will be better than having nothing at all when it comes to bolstering your claim. As long as you acquire a dashcam and adhere to laws surrounding privacy and obstruction of your windshield, a dashcam can be a valuable tool for protecting yourself in later lawsuits.
Proving Fault in Personal Injury Cases
One of the most significant benefits of having a dashcam installed in your vehicle is its potential to provide clear and undeniable evidence in the case of an accident. In the chaotic aftermath of a collision, determining fault can be complex, often based on conflicting accounts from those involved. Dashcam footage offers an objective perspective of the events leading up to, during, and after the accident.
Dashcam footage can demonstrate negligent behavior, such as distracted driving, failure to yield, or speeding, directly contributing to the accident. This kind of evidence determines who is at fault and who deserves compensation. As such, it is clear why a video recording of the event in question can significantly impact your case.
Understanding the Limitations of Dashcams
While dashboard cameras provide a clear advantage in documenting the circumstances around an accident, there are limitations to their utility in personal injury cases. The quality and angle of the camera footage, along with the specific details captured, can all impact the usefulness of the video evidence. For instance, if a dashcam is positioned in a way that only captures a partial view of the accident, it may provide an unreliable or incomplete understanding of the collision. Furthermore, low-quality footage, especially in low light conditions, may fail to identify vehicles, license plates, or traffic signals, reducing its effectiveness as evidence.
Another consideration is the potential for dashcam footage to inadvertently reveal contributory negligence. If the video shows that the dashcam owner was also partially at fault – for example, by speeding or engaging in distracted driving – this could impact the compensation received.
Luckily, you do not have to comb through these videos to find the evidence that bolsters your case – an attorney can assist you. Personal injury attorneys are no strangers to dashcam videos, with experienced car accident attorneys likely having used them in dozens or hundreds of cases. During your initial consultation with an attorney, inform them of all relevant evidence you may have to bolster your claim, including dashboard cameras.
Have you recently been injured in a Florida car accident? If you need help to secure compensation and recover after your injury, call the attorneys at Probinsky & Cole today.
