Taking precautions to keep yourself safe on the roadways can help to prevent accidents. Defensive driving maneuvers can help reduce accidents, but how can you protect your rights once an accident already occurs? Many drivers choose to attach a camera to their dashboard to record any incidents that could happen. Let’s discuss the legality of dashcams in Florida with our Fort Lauderdale, FL car accident lawyer and whether or not dashcam footage can be used in an insurance claim settlement or court.
What Is A Dashboard Camera?
A dash cam is a digital video recorder placed on a vehicle’s front windshield, dashboard, or other location to capture a person’s driving events. Many drivers use dashcams to assist with driving, protect against theft and vandalism, and provide additional protection in case of an accident.Types of Dashcams in Florida
Dash cams come in different options depending on your needs. Many of them include different storage abilities and views. Some can record both the interior and exterior of the car. Other dash cams come in wide-angle and high-definition. Many dash cams capture audio recordings in addition to video. Other dashcams begin recording when the vehicle is turned on, and some record continuously even if the vehicle is powered off. These are a few of the primary types of dash cams that you can purchase for use in your vehicle:- Traditional dashcams are basic cameras placed in the front windshield. They record only what occurs in front of the vehicle. Some traditional dashcams record while in the park or can record any activity occurring while the vehicle is unoccupied.
- Dual-camera dashcams record both outside and inside the vehicle simultaneously. These dashcams typically use removable storage cards and can swivel to provide a 360-degree view of the vehicle.
- Rear-view dashcams are made in the shape of a rearview mirror and cover the existing rearview mirror in the vehicle. They can be customized to provide multiple angles of your vehicle at any given time.
- G-sensors
- Loop recordings
- Temperature resistannce
- Night-vision
- Built-in rechargeable battery or battery-powered
- Remote viewing
- GPS
- Smartphone applications
- Audio recordings
How Do Dashcams Function?
Dash cams record road activity and store it on the internal memory or memory card or upload it to storage via the Cloud. Dashcam owners can download the footage whenever necessary. Some dashcams get their power from the cigarette lighter or are hardwired into a car. There are also battery-powered and motion-activated dashboard cameras. Many dashcams record on a continuous loop and then create small clips.Dashcam Benefits
Dash cams can provide the following benefits to Florida drivers:- Video footage of an accident
- Protection while parked and against vandalism and theft
- Encouragement for safer driving practices
- The ability to use the footage as video evidence in car of a car accident