Haulier cleared after camera captures dramatic motorway shunt18 December 2013

A truck driver was cleared of blame when he shunted a car 100m along the M25, thanks to evidence provided by the camera fitted in his cab.

The Smart Witness video camera, fitted to his dashboard, showed the Honda Civic driver hesitated when joining the motorway and caused the accident. The footage meant the haulier avoided a potentially expensive insurance claim.

The footage can be seen here.

Gary Humphreys, group underwriting director for Markerstudy Group, says the cameras are a "cheap and effective" means of proving liability, and can cut insurance premiums by as much as 20%.

"Camera technology adds a visual element in helping insurers decide fault in the event of an accident… We have had claims for incidents on roundabouts and over lane discipline where the camera has proved vital in determining liability and has enabled us to avoid long drawn out disputes."

Smart Witness managing director Simon Marsh adds: "Drivers worry blame will always be attached to them when they hit another vehicle from the rear, particularly when there are no reliable witnesses.

"In this case, the lorry driver was very relieved his Smart Witness camera meant he could quickly prove the accident was not his fault… "Thankfully in this case, no insurance claim was filed but who knows what could have happened if the camera had not been there."

Figures released by the insurance industry earlier this year shows that up to 60% of the 550,000 whiplash claims filed each year are bogus.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
SmartWitness Ltd

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