Dashboard cameras (dashcams) have become increasingly popular within the last decade, with their usage rapidly expanding across different areas of the country. Traditionally used by commercial vehicle companies to monitor their employees, they are now more common among everyday drivers for a variety reasons. If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident in Indiana, it’s important to know how dashcam footage may potentially be used to either help or hurt your case, depending on the circumstances of your incident.
Currently, most major insurance carriers serving Indiana do not offer discounts for having a dashcam installed in a vehicle. While they are currently not being used to lower insurance premiums, a few providers in other states have started experimenting with dashcam discounts, so it’s possible this trend could eventually expand into Indiana.
Regardless, installing a dashcam in a car or truck can still have benefits for drivers. Footage from an accident can help clarify at-fault parties and also assist in building evidence for a personal injury claim. Video evidence can potentially assist a crash investigation and result in an expedited personal injury settlement. Conversely, if footage shows any actions by a plaintiff that contributed to the accident, it could potentially jeopardize a case. If audio is included, it can also be used as long as the recording adheres to Indiana’s one-party consent laws.
Another benefit of installing a dashcam is its ability to deter reckless driving, road rage and other incidents since drivers will most likely behave more cautiously when they are aware they’re being recorded. It can also capture key moments such as the lead-up to a collision or the behavior of other drivers. However, in order for dashcam evidence to be admissible in court, it must meet certain criteria and be free from edits or other forms of tampering.
Overall, dashcams can be beneficial for drivers, particularly when applied to a personal injury lawsuit. This video evidence can help “fill in the blanks” of any discrepancies from eyewitnesses and determine if a driver was speeding, ran a red light, or engaged in reckless behavior that led to an accident and subsequent injuries. If the footage clearly shows what occurred and who was responsible, it can play a significant role in determining liability and the extent of damages in a personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Indiana, contact our office to discuss your options. Our personal injury attorneys have over a century of combined experience fighting for our clients in any number of personal injury claims. We work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we reach a settlement or jury verdict award on your behalf.
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