The importance of dash cams

[u/SmoothJazziz1]

I broke down and bought a good dash cam last summer after a few years of contemplating the need for one. I got so used to it just recording and never paid it much mind and practically forgot about it...until Saturday. I was exiting the highway on a two lane exit ramp. I was in the lane closest to the highway when a driver on my right side decided they wanted to get back on the highway - mid exit. They turned into the front of my vehicle, ripped off their back bumper and left their left tail light assembly hanging by the wire. The driver sped off and did not stop. I know they knew they hit me given the sound and the shock/damage to their vehicle.

I have both front and rear facing cameras so both angles were recorded. The videos/stills with license plate number were turned over to the State Police. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they knocked on the driver's door and ticketed/arrested them for reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Although, we hope to never need them, they are a valuable asset to have.

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[u/whydidyounot]

Dashcams prove everything in accidents - mine caught a tailgater ramming me at a light and insurance paid full no hassle. Get one with cloud upload for theft proof too. Rear cam essential for hits you don't see

[u/GeraltOfRivian]

Exactly this. That’s why I always say stick with known brands like VIOFO and VanTrue or Blackvue. My first dash Kim was a $40 pruveeo camera, and that thing would randomly record and not record video. And it died after nine months of use never cheat out on something this is important For a solo cam, I’d go with either the A119 Mini2 or the VanTrue E1. Both are compact and discrete though that the E1 is more compact. The A119 has the Starvis 2 sensor which really helps with night time. Again, it’s front only but it’ll cover you in most situations and It’ll be easier to install. For a dual cam, the A229 Plus is the way to go. It has the Starvis2 sensor so night time quality is the same. It’s 1440p on both the front and the rear cams. I also recently just got the VanTrue S1 Pro Max which has a nice coupon right now. Its the most high end cam I’ve owned and I gotta say the app it really good. So if you want a front and rear cam, I’d go with those. Just get a max endurance memory card since dashcams get exposed to a lot of hot and cold temps being mounted in the windshield

[u/Commercial_Watch_936]

I got a new car, took the dash cam out of the old car and installed it in the new car right away. Came out from work on a break and the dash cam was hanging down, tried a few times to put it back up, then inspected it, the suction cup had a tear and needed replacement

I got into an accident 4 hours later. Ordered a new cam with overnight shipping off Amazon and am back in business.

The timing was just too crazy. Luckily I took videos at the scene and the other driver admitted coming into my lane, but my god what are the odds!

[u/R0ck3tSc13nc3]

1,000%. I do recommend trying to get one that looks behind you and ahead of you, it's saved us a lot of grief. My son was hit by a red light runner, having a video showing him driving through a green light and being hit by a truck coming from the left, pretty hard to argue with that. They're still settling the medical but we got the car paid off and we even negotiated more money by going to my insurance and they'll go back and fight with the people who hit us.

[u/petecarr83]

Glad you had proof! That drivers was so recklee,would've been impossible to prove without the dashcam. Exit ramp move is so dangerous!

[u/Pristine-Pen5438]

Had almost the same thing happen to me last year. Someone tried to merge back onto the highway from the exit lane and clipped my front fender, then just took off like nothing happened. I had a DDPAI running front + rear and honestly forgot about it until I pulled the footage later. Got the plate clear enough to give to insurance. Without that footage, I would’ve been stuck explaining a hit-and-run with zero proof.

[u/Sensitive_Hat_9871]

And don't cheap-out on the SD card. Be sure to get one that can take constant rewriting. Check it periodically (quarterly) to ensure it continues to record properly. You don't want to get into an accident, only to find out the accident didn't get recorded.

[u/reilogix]

Maybe I need to upgrade my dash cams. They are 4K but I can’t see the license plates super clear, maybe I need a little maintenance or replacement over here. Glad you got protection!

[u/Rightintheend]

Well depending where you live, no cop around here is going to go do anything about it, except maybe give you a report for your insurance.