Should I Get a Dashcam for My Motorcycle?

Motorcycle riders in Louisiana often encounter unfair biases when involved in accidents on the road. Insurers and the public often blame motorcyclists in a crash, citing recklessness or aggressive behavior, but that’s not always the case.

Riders are often involved in collisions due to another driver’s negligence or aggressive actions, such as turning left into the path of a motorcycle or hitting a motorcycle rider head-on. Riders are also more vulnerable to injury and death, suffering a 30.20% fatality rate compared to 1.26% for drivers and passengers in cars.

A dashboard or helmet-mounted camera can prove indispensable for motorcycle riders following an accident. It provides undeniable proof that another driver is responsible for the crash . Understanding the functioning of these devices and their pros and cons can help you decide whether to purchase a dashcam for legal protection.

What is a Motorcycle Dashcam?

Dashcams and helmet cameras are visual technology tools that allow motorcyclists to document their rides from different angles. Despite being called dashcams, these cameras are usually mounted on the handlebars when used on a motorcycle and capture everything that happens in front of the bike.

Helmet cameras are attached to the rider’s helmet. This offers a unique, first-person perspective, showing exactly what the rider sees and providing context to what they experienced during the collision.

In a personal injury claim, dashcam footage shows what happened before and during the crash. It can help challenge claims you were riding recklessly and back up your side of the story for a fairer assessment of your claim.

Pros and Cons of Having a Dashcam on Your Motorcycle

Adding a dashcam to your motorcycle could be a great decision, but there are some drawbacks. Below are some pros and cons to weigh as you think about outfitting your bike with this gadget:

Pros

Cons

Provides Evidence: In an accident, video footage from a dashcam can provide undeniable evidence of what occurred, helping establish fault and liability.   Protects Against Unfair Blame: Motorcycle riders often face unfair biases and blame in accidents. A dashcam can help refute false accusations and protect a rider’s legal rights.   Assists Legal Proceedings: Video evidence from a dashcam can expedite insurance claims and legal proceedings, streamlining the resolution process and ensuring fair compensation for damages.   Enhanced Safety Awareness: Knowing that their actions are being recorded can encourage riders to practice safer driving habits, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents.

Limited Field of View: Some motorcycle dashcams have a narrow field of view, potentially missing critical peripheral events that could be crucial in an accident analysis.   Varying Video Quality: Dashcams vary in video quality, especially in low-light conditions. Poorer quality cameras may not capture clear enough footage to be useful in identifying details necessary for insurance or legal purposes.   Battery Life and Storage: These cameras often have limited battery life and storage capacity, requiring frequent charging and memory management. They may miss critical footage if not regularly maintained.

Tips for Choosing a Dashcam to Maximize Your Chances of a Fair Settlement

Picking the right dashcam for your motorcycle can help maximize your settlement after an accident. Here are a few tips to help you choose one that gives you crisp, thorough video when it matters most:

• Opt for Wide-Angle Lenses: Ensure your camera captures as much of the road and surroundings as possible to avoid missing critical details.

• Select High-Resolution Cameras: Choose a camera with high resolution, at least 1080 P, for clear, detailed images. This can make identifying vehicles, license plates, and road conditions easier.

• Ensure Night Vision Capability: Pick a dashcam that performs well in low light to capture clear footage during night rides or in tunnels.

• Look for Reliable Battery Life and Automatic Recording: Choose a dashcam that can record continuously without the need for frequent recharging and starts recording as soon as you begin your journey.

• Ensure Connectivity and Adequate Storage: Look for a dashcam that connects to your phone and automatically saves data. This feature allows for real-time viewing and backup and ensures you have ample storage through cloud services or direct transfer to your device.

• Consider the Mounting System: Evaluate how the dashcam mounts to your motorcycle, aiming for a secure, stable setup that offers an unobstructed view.

Get Skilled Legal Help After a Motorcycle Accident

If you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident, our Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can help you seek legal recourse. We understand the unique challenges motorcycle riders face and are committed to fighting for your rights.

We can use footage from your dashcam footage and evidence from our thorough investigation to help prove you did not cause the crash and protect your legal interests. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.

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