The Pros and Cons of Using a Dashcam

Published in Car Accidents, Safety on February 28, 2018

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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.

As personal injury specialists, a car accident lawyer from Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers understands the importance of reliable evidence in accident cases. There are many potential advantages and disadvantages of using a dashcam.

A Boston car accident attorney will discuss how a dashcam can provide clear evidence in disputes, enhance road safety, and potentially impact insurance claims, while also considering privacy concerns and legal implications.

We invite you to contact us to retain our assistance, which you can do when you call (617) 391-9001 or complete our contact form.

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 installed in your car, you have objective information that can show the court and your insurance company what really happened and who was at fault. A dashboard camera can easily help you while you handle your insurance claim.

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. Additionally, drivers are more likely to travel carefully when they are aware of cameras, reducing reckless driving.

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 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 dashcam 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 US 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 it 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 dashcam footage once the memory has reached full capacity.

Either way, you could lose important video footage without realizing it.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Support You With Your Claim?

If you are involved in legal matters of any type, we strongly urge you to work with a qualified car accident attorney and retain the best quality support you can.

You can get in touch with Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers for support after your car accident, regardless of whether a dashcam was present or not.

A car accident lawyer can support you in numerous ways throughout the legal process that lies ahead of you, including but not limited to the following:

• Conduct an independent investigation into the accident
• Work with medical professionals
• Negotiate with every party to recover a satisfactory settlement
• Prepare your case for court
• Collect evidence to prove liability
• Consult with experts to determine the full scope of your damages
• Assure that all documents are filed correctly and in a timely manner
• Review your damages to determine the total value of your claim
• Communicate with the other parties on your behalf
• Organize your medical records and bills
• Work with your healthcare providers to obtain any missing records
• Organize and present the evidence to prove liability and damages
• Access research methods and tools only available to legal professionals
• Quicker delivery of documents from law enforcement and doctors
• An understanding of the legal system and how to make it work for you
• Refer you to helpful medical specialists
• Connect you with additional legal professionals
• Reduce stress pertaining to your claim

We urge you to refrain from representing yourself during your legal matters, as this can increase risk related to lost compensation.

However, when you work with a car accident attorney from Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you obtain the maximum possible compensation, reduce litigation time, and lower stress related to your case.

Our team offers free consultations and works on contingency, so you can rest assured we will work hard to achieve case results in your favor. This also means you don’t have to experience additional legal stressors for legal assistance during this already difficult time.

Contact a car accident lawyer from Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers at your earliest convenience to improve your odds of legal success.

If You Have Been in an Accident Contact Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers: Fight for Complete Compensation

If you’ve been in a car accident, Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the complexities of your case. Our car accident attorneys have experience and a deep understanding of personal injury law positions us uniquely to make recommendations for your claim.

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 our experienced car accident lawyer in Boston.

With support from talented attorneys like Jessica M. Gray, you can improve your odds of legal success and reduce stress. Don’t let uncertainty or confusion stand in your way; reach out to us for a comprehensive evaluation of your case.

For more information, call our law office at (617) 391-9001. Or if you would prefer to email us, please visit our contact page. Your peace of mind and legal success are our top priorities. Let our car accident attorneys help you turn your dashcam recordings into powerful evidence for your case.