Safety and claims departments are experiencing positive developments from installing dash cam video recorders in their trucks.  As the use of dash cam videos becomes more common, it is critical that motor carriers implement a written video evidence retention policy before inevitable litigation occurs. A written policy provides consistency of approach and an explanation as to why certain video may or may not have been preserved.  Video retention policies should include the following:

Types of incidents that trigger preservation (single-vehicle accident, property damage only, near-miss accidents, etc.)

• Length of footage to be preserved
• The period of time for keeping footage
• When and how to produce video footage to law enforcement and claimants’ counsel