A traffic collision happens in a split second. But what exactly went wrong in that split second can make all the difference in determining who is at fault – and how injured people may be compensated.
More and more, dash cameras are being used in truck accident cases to help determine fault. This seems to be good news for everyone involved, as it takes some of the guesswork out of determining who should be held accountable for the accident.
Truckers and trucking companies are generally supportive of the new technology, Government Technology reported recently. While some footage may get truck drivers off the hook, it may also encourage safer driving in the first place.
The new SmartDrive cameras record both the road in front of a truck and the driver behind the wheel, which might make a truck driver less likely to sneak a peek at a phone or engage in other unsafe behavior while driving.
Footage from the cameras could provide evidence of many of the common causes of truck accidents, including driver fatigue and distracted driving. If you are involved in a truck accident, camera footage could be crucial evidence in making an insurance claim or building a case against a trucking company.
But what will happen when there isn’t a driver in the truck at all? With Pennsylvania rapidly becoming a hotspot for testing automated vehicles, it may be only a matter of time before automated trucks start appearing on highways across the state – and potentially contributing to accidents.
While proponents of the new technology say it will make roads safer, drivers should continue to give trucks (driverless or not) a wide berth. If you are involved in a truck accident, it’s likely you and your car have suffered more damage than the truck and its driver. An attorney can help you make sure you are fairly compensated for any damages caused by a truck driver’s or company’s negligence.
