SKIP TO CONTENTThere are a lot of viral videos about weird, crazy, and incredible moments caught on dashcams in Oklahoma, but there are practical reasons to have a dashcam, too.
This article explores the top five benefits of having a dashcam in your car or truck.
What is a Dashcam?
If you’re not familiar with the term, a dashcam is a small camera that records what’s happening on the roadway from the perspective of your dashboard. It can capture various angles, including the view from the front, side, and rear windows. Some models can also record the interior of the car and pick up sound.
5 Benefits of a Dashcam
A dashcam does more than merely document your road trips. There are several benefits to owning and installing a dashboard camera, including the following five.
1. Gather Evidence in an Accident
Car accidents often end up in a finger-pointing match with each party seeking to avoid liability. Each person has their own perspective of what happened, and if forensic evidence is lacking, accurately assigning blame may not be possible.
With a dashcam, you’ll have clear and objective evidence of what actually happened. It’s hard to dispute a video!
2. Discounted Insurance Premiums
Insurance companies may give discounts to drivers that have installed dashcams in their vehicles. This is definitely not a universal practice, so make sure you confirm the details of your policy.
Even if your rates don’t go down, you can potentially prevent them from rising in the future if you can use dashcam evidence to prove you were not at fault for an accident.
3. Defend Against Traffic Tickets
Again, it’s tough to dispute video evidence. If a cop accuses you of breaking a traffic law, you can submit your dashboard camera footage to prove your innocence.
Of course, this tactic only works if you actually are innocent!
4. Record Your Adventures
We’ve all seen dashcam videos of animal rescues, crazy tornadoes, and random acts of awesomeness. The chance of capturing something unique and exciting is reason enough to invest in a dashcam pronto!
In addition to capturing potentially viral videos, you can also use your car’s video to document road trips and other happenings. Take in the beautiful scenery and edit stunning compilations of your adventures. Even a mundane trip to the store can yield memorable footage.
5. Enhance Vehicle Security
Have you ever been dinged in a parking lot and wondered what rude human being had the audacity to bang your car and walk away without batting an eye? Many modern dashcams include a feature that activates recording in the event of being bumped or jostled.
This means there’s a good chance you can get a clear view of who damaged your vehicle’s surface. Imagine getting their license plate number and having their insurance company send them a bill!
Are Dashboard Cameras Legal in Oklahoma?
Now that you’re sold on the idea of installing a dashcam in time for your next road trip, there are some things you should be aware of in terms of legality. The short answer to the question above is yes; dashboard cameras are legal. However, it’s important to keep the following rules in mind:
1. Position your dashcam away from deploying airbags. If your dashboard camera is in the airbag’s trajectory, it can cause serious injuries if you’re in a collision.
2. It is illegal to mount a dashcam on your dashboard. Yes, the term “dashcam” is a bit of a misnomer, given that you can’t actually mount the camera there. Instead, Oklahoma law says that the camera can be installed on the windshield as long as it doesn’t obstruct your view of the road.
More Questions? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help
Attorney Bryan Garrett has more than 15 years of experience in personal injury and car accident cases. If you have recently been in an accident, you do not have to face the situation alone. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
