South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Serving Clients in Myrtle Beach, Clinton, Charleston, and Columbia
Should I Invest in a Dash Camera for My Car So I Can Record in Case of an Accident?
Many South Carolina drivers have heard about dash cameras—or dash cams, for short—and their ability to capture evidence of another driver’s negligence when a car accident happens. But is it really worth it to invest in a dash cam? Will it enable you to record evidence of the other driver’s fault in case of an accident? According to a recent article in The State, South Carolina drivers in Columbia and across the state are learning that dash cameras can, indeed, be very useful.
And if you are wondering whether it is legal for private citizens to have dash cameras in their cars (many of us know that South Carolina police officers use dash cams), the answer is yes. Private citizens can in fact purchase dash cameras for their automobiles, and as the article emphasizes, many law enforcement officials actually welcome these devices. As the article explains, “having a recording of an incident or collision can be very helpful to a trooper when trying to discern facts or causation of the collision.”
Dash Cameras in South Carolina Can Record Evidence of the Other Driver’s Negligence
Why does it make sense to invest in a dash camera for your car? As the article explains, one of the best arguments for individuals owning dash cams is that they can record a car accident from the point of view of the vehicle with the dash cam, and the video often can suggest clearly that the other driver was at fault. The article cites a specific example of one South Carolinian traveling on U.S. 7.6. toward Clemson University. The driver had a dash cam in his car, and it was recording during the drive. Suddenly, another driver in an SUV pulled out in front of the dash cam owner, causing an accident.
As is common in South Carolina car accidents, the dash cam owner sought to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, as the article indicates, the at-fault driver’s insurance company was not responding quickly to requests. Then, the dash cam owner sent video footage from the dash cam over to the at-fault driver’s insurance company in hopes that the insurance company would recognize their insured’s fault and provide the dash cam owner with a temporary car rental until his vehicle could be repaired. Sending over the dash cam video convinced the insurance company. The dash cam owner reported that, “within 10 minutes [the insurer] called me back and said your nearest Enterprise is here.”
Developing Better Driving Habits With Dash Cameras
Whether you are on U.S. 76 or another highway or local road in South Carolina, dash cams can be extremely convincing when it comes to proving that another driver was negligent. To be sure, dash cams can provide evidence of another driver texting while driving (illegal under South Carolina law), behaving aggressively behind the wheel, and engaging in other behaviors that may indicate fault in the event of a traffic collision.
Yet the value of dash cams goes beyond their ability to record evidence of another driver’s negligence and to protect responsible drivers against accusations of negligence. Indeed, the article suggests that, as dash cameras become more prevalent in private vehicles, they are likely to lead South Carolina drivers to develop better habits behind the wheel. After all, if you know you are being filmed, you may be likely to avoid distracted driving or aggressive driving. According to AAA Carolinas, the organization has “noticed an increase of cams in personal vehicles,” which it anticipates “will probably continue to increase as motorists see this as a way to protect themselves.”
Purchasing a Dash Cam in South Carolina is Relatively Easy
Whether you live in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, or another part of the state, it should be relatively easy for you to purchase a dash cam for personal use in your vehicle. The article in The State emphasizes that these devices range in price from about $50 to more than $200, depending on the particular dash camera and its features. They are made by a wide variety of manufacturers, from Garmin (famous for its GPS devices) to companies like Digitsea. Many dash cameras also contain built-in GPS devices, which can help to show precisely where video was recorded.
Contact a Clinton Car Accident Lawyer
Whether or not you currently have a dash camera in your car, an experienced Clinton car accident attorney can help if you were involved in a traffic collision. A dedicated advocate at Joye Law Firm can answer your questions today. Contact us today to discuss your case.
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