June 22, 2017
We have seen incredible safety technologies develop in the automobile industry over the last few years. One of the earliest, yet most widely adopted, features is the backup camera. These cameras are wide angle lenses which are placed on the rear of the car and feed to a video display on the dashboard. When the backup camera is active, drivers are able to see everything behind them in detail. This has nearly eliminated many concerns about backing up while children, animals, or obstacles are unknowingly behind the car.
The benefits of these cameras are actually so well established that the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has announced that all newly manufactured automobiles under 10,000 pounds must include a backup camera starting in 2018. The hope behind this regulation is to drop the rates of backup accidents and improve safety on America’s roads. Backup cameras will be another feature in the list of required safety appliances such as airbags and seatbelts.
However, insurance companies as a whole remain unconvinced. Though the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration believe in these cameras enough to require them, insurance companies have argued that there is simply not enough hard data on their effectiveness yet. As a result of their skepticism, most will not offer any discounts on car insurance as of the time of this post. In the defense of insurance companies, there truly isn’t much data yet. Back up cameras have only been a feature for less than a decade, and accidents are more complicated than just one feature. Back up accidents can also be caused by distracted driving, weather conditions, and other various factors.
Still, these cameras do a great deal for visibility for the driver and are worth the money. Purchasing a back up camera once will be much cheaper than a fender bender because you couldn’t see behind you.
If you do find yourself in a back-up accident, you should consider contacting a skilled car accident lawyer Dekalb County GA trusts. The aftermath of an accident is filled with confusing and frustrating details that must be covered, and few things are more headache inducing than negotiating with Insurance companies. Not speaking to an attorney can only make things worse for yourself, so find an attorney with experience who can help you navigate through the fallout. Your attorney will know the specific laws of your state and city, and will know what next steps are right for you.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into back up cameras and personal injury practice.