Dashcams have a lot of benefits – they can help confirm what happened during an accident and they help protect your vehicle when it’s parked. But the information on your dashcam can also be used against you in a criminal case or a civil lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident, you’ll want to consult with a car accident lawyer right away. Your attorney can review your dashcam video and advise on your best legal options.
Dashcam Laws
A dashcam, short for dashboard camera, is a small device that continuously records what occurs inside or outside the vehicle. A dashcam can be set up to capture what’s happening in front of you when you’re driving, or what’s behind you when you’re backing up.
Some states prohibit the use of dashcams while a person is driving for privacy reasons. But in Arizona, you’re allowed to use it to record what other people are doing as long as you’re in a public place where there’s no expectation of privacy.
Dashcam technology is rapidly improving, and now you can get a pretty good one for under $100. They’re pretty easy to install, but dashcams are subject to the following rules in Arizona:
It cannot be attached to the windshield.
It much be attached to the dashboard.
It must not impede the driver’s view of the road.
Screen size is limited to 5 inches if it’s on the driver’s side.
Screen size can be up to 7 inches if it’s located in the corner of the windshield away from the driver.
The Benefits of Using a Dashcam
A dashcam is an extremely reliable way to determine what happened in a car accident. Judges and insurance agents place a great deal of trust in dashcam footage. In the future, drivers may be able to get insurance discounts for having a dashcam installed in their car.
In many cases, a dashcam can be used to demonstrate which driver had the right of way and which driver was violating a traffic law. Depending on the quality of the video, dashcams may provide the following benefits:
Establishing fault in a car accident
Confirming the identity of a hit-and-run driver
Preventing fraudulent insurance claims
Demonstrating the severity of a crash
Protecting rideshare drivers from theft and assault
Providing GPS coordinates when an accident or theft occurs
Protecting parked cars from theft or vandalism
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident
If you get into an accident while driving, dial 911 right away. Make sure you’re okay and check to see if your passengers need medical assistance. Collect contact information from witnesses and any other drivers who were involved in the incident.
If you feel up to it, you can use your cell phone camera to collect pictures of the accident scene and vehicle damage. Make sure to get medical treatment for your injuries and report all symptoms to your doctor.
Insurance companies make their money by denying claims or making lowball offers to people who have been seriously injured in an accident. Your best bet is to contact a personal injury attorney right away. Your attorney will file a claim to help you get the money you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses, like lost income from missing work.
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If you were harmed by a negligent driver, contact The Husband & Wife Law Team right away. Our firm has won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.
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