How Long Businesses Keep Surveillance Footage?
Why Waiting Can Cost You Everything
Security cameras catch more accidents than people realize. From slip-and-falls in grocery aisles to crashes in parking lots, cameras often record the exact second things go wrong. That footage can end arguments fast. It can also vanish without warning. Most systems erase video on a schedule, not on fairness. If no one steps in, proof disappears.
At Horn Wright, LLP, our injury lawyers have seen how fast that loss adds stress. People come to us shaken, hurt, and confused, only to learn the video is already gone. That’s why timing matters so much. When you understand how long businesses keep footage and why delays hurt you, you can protect yourself before the evidence fades away.
Surveillance Footage Can Decide Fault in Seconds
Video evidence changes injury claims in ways nothing else can. A clear recording removes doubt. It shows what happened without emotion or spin. Insurers know this. Defense lawyers know it too. That’s why strong footage can shift a case in moments.
Witness memory fades fast. People mix details. Stress alters perception. Video doesn’t forget. It captures movement, timing, and behavior as they unfold. When a camera shows a spill left unattended or a driver cutting across lanes, arguments lose power. That’s why clear video often scares insurers. It shuts down excuses before they grow legs.
Businesses Don’t Keep Video Forever and Many Delete It Fast
It’s easy to assume footage sticks around. That assumption costs people dearly. There’s no universal rule forcing businesses to save video for months. Most systems overwrite older files automatically. Storage space drives that process.
Many owners set systems to erase footage after days, not weeks. Others keep longer archives but still delete based on internal policy. Waiting feels harmless at first. “I’ll deal with it later” sounds reasonable when you’re sore or overwhelmed. But later often means too late.
Typical Video Retention Timelines by Business Type
Before diving in, keep one thing clear. These timelines reflect averages, not promises. Each business controls its own system. Some delete sooner. Others hold longer. You never know which you’re dealing with until you ask.
Small Retail Stores and Local Shops
Small shops usually run lean systems. Limited storage leads to short overwrite cycles. Many keep footage for only three to seven days. Some overwrite even faster. If no one flags the incident right away, the video may vanish before the week ends.
Chain Restaurants and Large Retailers
Bigger companies use centralized systems with more storage. That helps, but strict internal rules still apply. Some retain video for thirty days. Others cut it shorter to reduce data costs. Delays still matter because requests often move through layers of approval.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Banks take security seriously. They often keep footage longer due to safety concerns. Some store video for months. Access, though, stays tight. Requests face scrutiny. Without formal steps, footage may remain locked away until it’s erased on schedule.
Hotels and Casinos
These properties run extensive surveillance networks. Retention varies by location and purpose. Lobby and gaming floor footage often lasts longer. Hallway or stairwell video may disappear quickly. Knowing which camera matters can change everything.
Parking Garages and Lots
Parking facilities usually invest little in storage. Many keep footage for a few days. Blind spots are common. Lighting issues complicate matters. By the time someone reports a crash or fall, the system may already have overwritten the file.
Convenience Stores and Gas Stations
These businesses record nonstop. That constant recording leads to fast overwrites. Some systems erase footage within 24 to 72 hours. Nighttime incidents vanish quickly. Waiting through the weekend can wipe the slate clean.
Public Transportation Systems
Transit agencies follow their own rules. Buses, trains, and platforms often have different timelines. Requests face paperwork and delays. Without persistence, footage may be gone before anyone responds.
Why Video Evidence Is So Powerful After an Accident
Video beats opinions every time. It shows sequence and timing. It captures behavior before and after impact. Lighting, weather, and visibility appear exactly as they were. That context matters.
Footage also stops false stories early. When someone claims you weren’t paying attention, video can prove otherwise. When a business denies a hazard, footage can expose it. That clarity reduces stress. It keeps cases grounded in reality.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Surveillance Footage
People rarely intend to lose evidence. It happens through simple missteps.
- Waiting too long to ask
- Assuming a business will save video on its own
- Trusting verbal promises
- Missing nearby cameras that also recorded the event
Each mistake gives time a chance to erase proof. Once footage is gone, no apology brings it back.
Acting Fast: How Footage Is Actually Preserved
Preservation doesn’t happen through casual chats. Informal requests fail because they carry no obligation. A proper preservation letter changes that. It puts the business on notice. It creates a duty to save specific footage.
Attorneys know how to draft and deliver these letters. They identify dates, times, and camera locations. That precision matters. Timing matters more. Even a perfect request means nothing if sent after the overwrite.
What to Do Immediately If You Think Cameras Caught Your Accident
Acting fast doesn’t require legal training. It requires focus.
- Look around. Identify nearby businesses and cameras.
- Note camera positions and directions.
- Report the incident to management.
- Write down names, times, and details.
- Take photos of the scene if you can.
- Be cautious with insurers early on.
Document everything while it’s fresh. Those notes help later when memory fades.
When Video Exists but Businesses Won’t Hand It Over
Refusal happens often. Businesses cite privacy. They point to internal policy. Some simply stall. Those tactics change once formal requests arrive.
Legal demands carry weight. They shift the conversation from courtesy to obligation. When handled correctly, they open doors that stayed shut before.
How Horn Wright, LLP, Helps Secure Video Before It’s Gone
Speed drives everything we do. Our team moves quickly to identify cameras and preserve footage. We’ve dealt with reluctant businesses and tight timelines. We know how systems work and where delays hide.
That approach takes pressure off injured clients. While you focus on healing, we focus on evidence. We step in early, lock footage down, and reduce the stress that comes from wondering what disappeared overnight.
At Horn Wright, LLP, we help injured people step in before evidence slips away. When stress runs high and answers feel out of reach, having a team that knows how to secure what matters can make all the difference. Call today for a FREE consultation.