Car accidents and unexpected mishaps, like finding your parked car scratched or dented, can quickly turn into a blame game, right? Nobody wants to be stuck arguing their innocence without proof. Plus, even with the different types of car insurance out there, if you don’t have solid proof that you’re not to blame, you’ll be forking over a lot of money (and your monthly rates go up too).
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and show you weren’t the one at fault. It’s all about being proactive (which can’t be stressed enough) and knowing what evidence matters most. So, where do you start?
Get Yourself a Dash Cam (and Rear Cam)
If you don’t have a dash cam yet, it’s time to get one. They’ve been around for over a decade, and these little gadgets are like having an unbiased witness who never sleeps. They record everything happening in front of your car and, if you opt for a dual dash cam, behind your car as well.
Okay, just go ahead and imagine this: someone rear-ends you at a stop sign, and they try to claim you reversed into them (yes, people do that). Your rear cam footage proves they’re lying. Or your parked car gets hit, and the rear cam catches their license plate as they speed off. In both scenarios, the cams save you, right?
Keep Your Brake Lights Working
Alright, dash cams are important, but that’s not the only thing. Actually, brake lights aren’t just there to keep you legal; they’re critical in proving you did everything right in a collision. For example, if someone rear-ends you, one of the first things they might claim is, “I didn’t see their brake lights.”
This is why keeping your brake light bulb in top shape is important. Not just that, but even the paperwork of the products you bought (and the date), and the same goes for mechanics and repairs. Having a paper trail shows that you are on top of everything. Plus, it’s proof that your car was properly signaling, leaving no room for doubt.
Park Smart and Look for Cameras
When it comes to parking mishaps, location is everything. Yes, really! So, cars parked in high-traffic, well-lit areas are less likely to be targeted by vandals or careless drivers. But if something does happen, nearby security cameras can come to the rescue. It’s a lot more challenging if it’s in a dimly lit area. Even if it’s your own house, make sure there are cameras and lights.
Let Your Car’s Tech Tell the Story
For the most part, modern vehicles come equipped with telematics or GPS systems that track details like speed, braking, and location. It’s a bit new, but again, new cars have this. So, this data can be a goldmine in proving what happened during an accident. For example, if someone accuses you of speeding or slamming on the brakes unnecessarily, your car’s tech can set the record straight.
However, if your vehicle doesn’t have built-in tech like this (and many cars still don’t), then there are affordable plug-in devices and even apps that do the same job. You can just think of it as having your own driving black box, ready to back you up if needed.
