Dashcam, useful in case of a disaster?

Some insurance companies encourage motorists to use a Dashcam. On the one hand, insurers believe that a driver who knows he is being filmed will be extra careful on the road. On the other hand, a camera de Car provides the opportunity to possess images of a disaster, determine the circumstances of the accident and know the responsibilities of each party concerned. 

Dashcam: definition

The Dashcam, also known as car camera Yes still on-board camera, is a state-of-the-art device that sits on the windshield, near the rearview mirror or on the dashboard of a vehicle. Whether it is connected to the cigarette lighter using a cable or powered by additional equipment, its role is to film everything that happens inside and outside the cockpit during the journeys. It is designed to capture the movements of third parties and obstacles that the driver is likely to encounter on his way such as pedestrians, other cars... It is, in a sense, a "driving recorder".

The shots and videos recorded by the Camera can be viewed directly on the device on a mini-screen. These files can also be transmitted to the driver's smartphone via a wireless (WiFi) connection.

A Dashcam can have additional features such as:

- The GPS mode : allowingRecord the vehicle's geolocation and speed. The operation of the device is similar to that of a driving aid. It emits signals when it detects a hazard or if the driver has to slow down.

- The parking mode Thanks to this system, The camera automatically triggers as soon as a person is detected near the car when the car is at a standstill. This feature is useful in the event of an attempted door break-in or when another vehicle hits the car at a standstill.

Car camera: how to use it in the event of a disaster?

Thanks to the Dashcam, the driver can quickly provide its insurer and the authorities with images in the event of an accident. Having shots and videos helps to understand the circumstances of the disaster and to understand the responsibilities of each party concerned. The images recorded on the Car camera can be used to clear the driver's liability in an accident or damage to his vehicle. In this way, he can claim compensation for the damages suffered without his protagonist being able to claim shared wrongs. If the accident is minor, the two motorists concerned can resort to an amicable finding.

The on-board camera is also important in the event of a disaster on a parked vehicle, especially in the event of a hit-and-run of the driver. It can also be used to prove the deliberate will of a third party (pedestrian or cyclist) to cause a collision in order to obtain compensation.

After a skirmish, the presence of a camera car is a deterrent. In the majority of cases, the protagonists do not dispute the facts and proceed more easily to establish an amicable finding if the damage is minimal. The roadside surveillance device also reveals its usefulness in a major dispute in which no third parties have been identified.

Dashcam and insurance

Auto insurance companies agree to consider Dashcam-recorded images as evidence in a loss, because photos and videos are dated and geolocated.

However, these images represent evidence among others. They have the same value as all the elements that can be provided by the parties involved in an accident such as the amicable finding, the police statement, the photos taken with smartphones and the testimonies directly collected on the spot.

Daschcam and court

In the event that the case is to be brought to court, The Act states that the parties concerned are entitled to produce any evidence they deem useful, regardless of their support. Photos and videos recorded using a Dashcam can therefore be taken into account in litigation or a claim. However, a judge may dismiss a motion on the basis of one reason or another, such as an overly narrow angle of view, poor image quality... A judge may also question GPS coordinates or time of the disaster if this data does not match those indicated at the time of the claim.

It is important to make the right choice of a Dashcam. Choose a camera with a wide angle of shooting that can produce high-definition (full HD) images.