How Dashcams and Phone Photos Strengthen Claims
No one ever thinks they’ll be in a car accident, but one wrong turn or missed stoplight can cause a catastrophic situation. When you’re reeling from the experience, you can’t overlook the importance of collecting essential details to file an insurance claim. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to gather more objective evidence with the help of car dashcams and smartphones.
With unaltered footage and images, you can show exactly how events unfolded and protect your story. Keep reading to learn how dashcams and phone photos strengthen claims, and how you can organize information for a more effective claim.
Relying on Photo and Video Evidence
Even if you have a great memory, you won’t recall everything that happened during a car accident. And insurance companies will want to have as clear a picture as possible when reviewing your submission. That’s where photos and videos come into play as more reliable accounts of what happened.
Good photos and videos can show damage severity and how vehicles look on the road right after the crash. Images can show adverse driving conditions due to weather, missing traffic signals, or debris that may have caused the accident.
You can capture the license plate details of those involved with your phone. Dashcam footage shows the sequence of events prior to the crash, too.
If you’re in Texas, you can count on dashcam footage as an acceptable form of evidence as long as it’s collected legally. If there is audio in your footage, as long as you or one party involved in the conversation consents, that can be used, as well.
Shopping for the Right Dashcam
You’ll help your case when you choose the right dashcam for your vehicle. Whether someone was running a red light or using a phone, you’ll have a better chance of catching these critical moments with a good camera.
You’ll want top-tier quality in your camera so footage can be useful. And you’ll want it to be as easy as possible to save videos.
Look for cameras with 4K resolution that can capture fine details. You’ll want a wide-angle lens, as well, to provide a broader perspective.
Good cameras will overwrite old footage, but cloud storage can provide automatic backups. And if you have GPS services, you’ll be able to pinpoint where something happened and the speed at which the vehicle was traveling.
Having cameras on the back and front of your car is to your benefit, too. If you’re rear-ended, for instance, your camera will be able to see if the driver attempted to slow down at all. Or perhaps the video will show that they were tailgating your car.
Once you have a camera, install it carefully so you’re not obstructing your view. After all, you want to be able to see everything to help avoid accidents in the first place. Keep your windshield clean and check the video quality to ensure it identifies details when it’s darker outside.
Knowing What to Do in Texas
Where you live can impact how you navigate the claims process. If you’re involved in a crash in Texas, finding fault is the top priority for insurance companies.
Consequently, photos and dashcam video can play a pivotal role. With compelling footage, you can verify your claim.
Beyond dashcam footage, you’ll need medical records, police reports, and witness details to cement your claim. When assembling evidence, title your files consistently. When you’re organized, you’ll be able to manage your claim more easily.
Prepping for an insurance claim in Texas requires more than raw footage, however. You’ll want to partner with injury lawyers serving Dallas. Local legal experts will be able to walk you through the claims process, organize evidence, and advocate on your behalf.
Keeping Your EXIF Data Secure
Every time you take a picture with your phone, the photo also captures the GPS location, time, and day of the photo. It even tracks the camera type and settings. These details are referred to as EXIF data, and it can help validate the time of an accident.
Make sure you always save image files and don’t rely on screenshots. Avoid making heavy edits to photos. Instead, preserve them in their original state to maintain credibility.
Use automatic cloud backups on your smartphone to ensure you always have your images. And, when in doubt, save multiple copies of images in different locations. Use obvious file names, too, so it’s not hard to track down photos when you’re compiling your claim.
Protecting Yourself After an Accident
When you’ve endured an accident, dashcams and phone images can help support your claim. Choose a high-quality dashcam for crisp images, and always back up your files. Partner with a seasoned attorney so you’re able to submit a thorough claim on time.
Don’t let an insurance claim after an accident become a source of frustration. Strong visual resources, like phones and dashcams, are worth the investment when you’re trying to file an insurance claim.
