Motor-Vehicle Accident Claims – Why Dash-Cam is Important
You may have witnessed some crazy motor vehicle accidents on TV shows, or social media like YouTube and TikTok. Unfortunately though, these accidents are not pieces of fiction and can, and do, occur in everyday life. Usually, the reason that footage from car accidents makes its way onto TV or social media is because one of the vehicles involved in the accident had a dash-cam. While these videos can make terrifying, or entertaining viewing, when it comes to a personal injuries legal case, dash-cam’s can be a significant advantage.
A dash-cam is a miniature camera that sits at the front or back of a vehicle; they are able to record the roads and other drivers. Many Australians have dash-cam’s attached to their car for insurance purposes, however, there are also advantages to having a dash-cam on your vehicle should you be involved in an accident and suffer an injury.
Motor-Vehicle Accidents
A significant number of Australian drivers are involved in motor-vehicle accidents every year. The consequences of these accidents can see some road users suffer injuries ranging from soft tissue to catastrophic brain injuries.
In the event a person sustains injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland, the CTP scheme acts as a safety net whereby the CTP insurer of the at-fault vehicle in the accident has an obligation to assist with funding rehabilitation and treatment of injuries sustained.
However, in order to receive the funding for rehabilitation from the CTP insurer, the Claimant must show that they were not the vehicle at-fault for the subject accident – this is called liability.
Dash-Cam and Liability
Given that CTP insurers only have an obligation to fund treatment in circumstances where their insured driver caused the accident that resulted in your injuries, it is first important to show that you were not at-fault for what occurred.
Establishing fault in an accident is where dash-cam footage can be extremely helpful. Recordings taken from a dash-cam can show the collision itself, road signs such as ‘give way’ and ‘stop’ signs, traffic light signals and any unusual or erratic driving behaviour which may indicate a driver being the influence or alcohol and drugs. This type of evidence can be a huge help in establishing that a Claimant was not at-fault for their accident and are therefore entitled to rehabilitation funding from the CTP Insurer.
Dash-Cam and Hit and Run Accidents
A ‘hit and run’ accident refers to a motor vehicle accident where the at-fault driver flees the scene of the accident without exchanging any details or information. Therefore, while liability may be clear, determining the identity of the vehicle that caused the accident is essential to determine the relevant CTP insurer who will indemnify the claim.
Dash-Cam is again extremely useful here, as it can capture the licence plates, car model, colour and even the brand of the vehicle that has caused the accident on video, even if the driver then flees the scene.
Dash-Cam Footage: Vital Proof of Fault in Accident Claims
Dash-Cam footage can provide vital evidence to assist in establishing liability in personal injury claims. The footage captured can allow a Claimant to identify the other vehicle involved, determine who was at-fault, and can even be used to assist Police in their investigations.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, with or without dash-cam, contact Littles Lawyers for a free claim assessment today.
If you have any queries regarding the article, please contact via Free Claim Checker or email us.
