The Pros and Cons of Using a Dashcam

After a car accident in Massachusetts, there is always confusion. Often it isn’t clear exactly what happened. Because of the increasing highway congestion, many people consider using a dashcam so that, no matter what happens, they have a record of the event. Legally, they may be helpful after an accident. Here’s what you need to know about dashcams and whether they are worth the investment.

Pros of Using a Dashcam

Able to Provide an Objective Account for Lawsuits

Proving liability can be the most difficult part of an accident lawsuit. The court is often forced to rely on personal accounts. If you have a dashcam in your car, you have objective information that can show the court and your insurance company what really happened and who was at fault.

Prevents Staged Accidents

Some people stage accidents in an effort to get money from insurance companies. A dashcam can prove the accident was staged by the person who filed a claim against you. While you do not yet receive an insurance discount for owning a dashcam, it can still save you and your insurance company money.

Oversees Vehicle While You Are Gone

Car theft and vandalism is a serious concern for many people. If you have a dashcam when your car is broken into or vandalized, you will have video footage to offer the police and the insurance company.

Can Improve Driving Skills

If you are a new driver, it is important you do not develop any bad habits or dangerous tendencies. A dashcam can give you video to play back so you can catch any mistakes and be able to improve your driving ability.

Can Be Used for Sightseeing

Taking a phone or camera out while you are driving is extremely dangerous to everyone on the road, including yourself. It diverts your attention from the road. Not only can a dashcam serve as a safety tool and evidence for insurance companies, it can also capture footage of unique sights on your road-trip without you needing to pull over or put yourself at risk by taking out your phone. A dashcam can help you document memories you would have otherwise missed.

Cons of a Dashcam

Can be a Distraction

Dashcams could be a distraction for some drivers. Whether just by looking at it too much while you are driving or reaching to fiddle with it while you are on the road, any attention diverted away from driving and onto the camera is a danger. If you are easily distracted and have a dashcam mounted on your car, be sure to avoid focusing too much on the camera.

Secret Videotaping Is Against the Law in Some States

Dashcams can become a legal issue in some states. Massachusetts is one of the states in the U.S. that has laws against videotaping someone without their consent. You can be arrested, charged, or fined for recording someone without them knowing about it. Make sure you know your state laws on videotaping consent and adhere to them with your dashcam.

May Not Retain or Record All Footage

If you have a dashcam that is an older model, it will most likely stop recording once is has reached the capacity of the memory card. With the newer dashcam models, there is loop recording that makes the camera automatically begin recording over old footage once the memory has reached full capacity. Either way, you could lose important footage without realizing it.

If You Have Been in an Accident

Regardless of whether you decide to purchase a dashcam, know what your responsibilities are after an accident. If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident, with or without a dashcam, discuss your case with an experienced attorney.

For more information, call our law office at (617)-391-9001. Or if you would prefer to email us, then please visit our contact page.