Posted on Thursday, February 20th, 2020 at 7:14 am
With the high cost of car insurance, it is not uncommon for drivers to search for ways to lower their car insurance premiums. Shopping around for car insurance is one way to reduce insurance premiums. Using one insurance company for all your insurance needs is another way to save money on car insurance. A new way to save money offered by some car insurance companies is by using an insurance tracking device to document safe driving for discounts.
What Are Insurance Tracking Devices for Safe Driving Discounts?
Several of the largest car insurance providers have introduced new ways to save money on car insurance premiums. Some insurance companies offer usage-based insurance programs that reduce the premium for drivers who do not drive as much as other drivers. Other companies have instituted safe driving discounts that are based on a driver’s actual, real-time driving behaviors.
Unfortunately, the way that the insurance companies track usage and driving behavior is by collecting data. Some companies use car tracking devices installed directly into the vehicle. Other companies use apps on a person’s cell phone to track driving behavior. In either case, the driver is giving up his or her privacy. It may save the driver money on insurance premiums, but the data collected can also be used in other ways.
Using Tracking Data in a Car Accident Case
Data collected from car insurance tracking devices and apps could be used in a car accident case to prove fault for a crash. A defense attorney could subpoena the data from the insurance company. Why would a defense attorney go through the trouble of getting this information? To try to blame you for contributing to the cause of the accident.
If you contributed to the cause of the car accident, your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you for the collision under California’s comparative fault laws. Insurance companies always look for ways to reduce the amount of money they pay for an accident claim. If it can use your insurance tracking device against you, it will.
Of course, insurance tracking data could work in your favor. If the other driver uses a tracking device or app, the data retrieved could prove that the other driver caused the car crash.
Because the technology is still somewhat new, many attorneys may not be aware that they should check for data during a car accident investigation. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney in California can help you protect your rights and seek fair compensation for a car accident claim. An experienced attorney understands how the latest technology and safety features can be used to recover key evidence that helps prove liability and fault for a car accident.
Contact Our Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Before you discuss your claim with an insurance adjuster or accept a settlement offer for a car accident claim, talk to one of our Sacramento personal injury lawyers. We can review your case to determine your options for pursuing compensation for all damages from the driver who caused your car crash.
Call The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000to schedule a free consultation with one of our California car accident lawyers.
