By Leon R. Symanski, Esq.
A few months ago, Jane Smith, the mother of two precious children aged 7 and 10, was driving her kids to school just like she does every school day. Suddenly, without warning, a large SUV ran a red light and slammed into her car. The impact was sudden and traumatic; she never saw the SUV before impact and was unable to avoid the crash. Her car spun around several times and had major damage to the driver’s side. Jane’s children were crying, shaking, and very upset. Jane had blood on her face and felt immediate pain. They were lucky to be alive. The other driver exited his SUV and began screaming at Jane, “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DIDN’T YOU STOP!? THIS IS YOUR FAULT!” Jane was suddenly angry and confused. My fault? Of course, it’s not my fault! However, there were no traffic cameras, no independent witnesses, and no Dash Cams in either vehicle.
Several days later, Jane’s insurance company informed her that, since there was no evidence, they made the decision to place fault on Jane. Jane was enraged! Her own insurance company showed no loyalty whatsoever, and they had the nerve to raise her insurance rates! What could Jane have done differently? Jane could have invested in a Dash Cam for her car.
A Dash Cam (dashboard camera) is a video camera installed in a vehicle that has the potential to record video of the road ahead, the road behind, and the interior of the vehicle. There are a multitude of various brands of Dash Cams that offer many options. The current technology in most models provides impressive, high-quality resolution, is sleek, and fairly easy to install. Most of the 2025 models provide 4K resolution, comprehensive coverage without blind spots, night vision, wide-angle lenses, and Wi-Fi and App connectivity that the vehicle owner can integrate on their Smartphone.
Some of the advantages of having a Dash Cam in your vehicle include:
•Clear and convincing evidence to determine fault when an accident occurs;
•Helps insurance companies quickly and accurately process claims;
•Helps disprove fraudulent claims;
•Deters theft and vandalism. Some Dash Cams are equipped with “parking mode” that can record even when the vehicle is parked;
•Shows the traffic officer that just pulled you over for a violation, clear evidence that you did not violate the traffic law of which you are being accused (the light was actually green!);
•Records all activity of the passengers in your vehicle for safety purposes
Dash Cams typically range in price from $65 to $250, depending on the brand and features of the product. I recommend you conduct an internet search and review websites such as Consumer Reports to help you learn and make your decision about which Dash Cam would be best for you and your family. This simple yet affordable technology gives you the upper hand should you ever be involved in a vehicle crash where whoever is at fault is disputed.
Thank you again for your trust and loyalty for the past 30 years! We greatly appreciate your confidence and your referrals. Please contact me at Lsymanski@cpklaw.com if you have any questions or would like a free legal consultation for your personal injury case.
