More Cyclists Using Helmet-Cams In Anticipation of Accidents

Thursday, February 27, 2014

More Cyclists Using Helmet-Cams In Anticipation of Accidents

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

It’s no secret that in major cities, biking, while a popular means of transportation, is not always the safest way to get around.  With the amount of things that can go wrong –distractions, swerving, or virtually any number of other mishaps—overwhelmingly, when cyclists get into accidents, they often walk away with injuries. And with some recent events involving cyclist deaths or severe injuries, it’s led some riders to choose to mount a camera to their helmets just in case. With a camera, an eye-witness account is non-negotiable, as it’s on film, and it may also lead to the prosecution of at-fault parties, particularly if license plate numbers are recorded at a hit and run accident.

Added Safety for Cyclists

Cyclists feel safer knowing that they have a “bike cam,” as they are commonly referred to. Many cyclists strap to either the handlebars or their helmets. Local store managers have also noticed the increase in demand for “bike cams.”

While Chicago has added more than 170 miles of standard bike lanes and marked protected lanes, there are still very real dangers from cycling. Still, these cameras may help cyclists with cases if they are involved in an accident with a car.

Potential Problems With Cameras

One issue that may come up in the instance of bike cams is that it is often up to the judge whether the video evidence is admissible in court. It’s also important for cyclists to only record video, not audio—Illinois eavesdropping laws prohibit recording audio without consent from all involved parties, so even if a cyclist did have video of an accident, if that video had audio as well, it would not be admissible evidence. Even so, it can’t hurt to record the goings-on of one’s bicycle commute, just in case.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a bicycle or vehicle accident, contact the skilled professionals at Malman Law today for quality legal representation.