How To Preserve Dashcam and Nearby Camera Footage After a Bronx Truck Crash

Preserving Critical Video Evidence

After a truck accident in the Bronx, video evidence can make or break a case. 

Whether it’s a dashcam from one of the vehicles or surveillance footage from a nearby bodega or intersection, that recording could show exactly how the crash happened. But this kind of evidence disappears fast. If you wait too long, it might get deleted automatically or recorded over.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash, contact Horn Wright, LLP right away. Our Bronx truck accident lawyers know how to preserve key evidence, including dashcam and security footage, before it vanishes. 

We work quickly to gather proof and protect your rights from day one.

Understand the Role of Dashcam and Security Footage

Dashcam and surveillance footage serve as neutral witnesses. They show what really happened when stories differ. These recordings often provide the clearest view of how the crash unfolded, who had the right of way, how fast vehicles were moving, and what each driver did just before impact.

In the Bronx, intersections like Fordham Road, Webster Avenue, and the Cross Bronx Expressway are often covered by city cameras or private systems. A corner store’s security footage might capture the seconds leading up to the collision. A trucker’s dashcam might show a driver swerving or running a red light.

Preserving this footage early is vital. Most systems overwrite automatically after a few days or weeks. That’s why fast legal action matters. Your lawyer can contact private owners or agencies to request and preserve the data.

Act Quickly to Prevent Auto-Deletion

Time is critical. Many dashcams and commercial security systems only keep data for 24 to 72 hours. After that, they record over old files unless someone intervenes. If the footage belongs to a third party, like a store or parking garage, they have no obligation to keep it unless they are legally notified.

Truck dashcams may store data longer, but some models erase recordings unless the crash triggers a file lock. If no visible damage occurred or the impact was minor, the dashcam might not preserve the clip unless prompted.

This means anyone hurt in a Bronx truck accident should notify an attorney immediately. With legal authority, your lawyer can send a preservation letter to the parties holding the footage. This formal request puts them on notice that the footage may be evidence in a legal claim.

Identify Nearby Cameras and Who Owns Them

Your lawyer will often start by canvassing the scene to identify possible sources of video. Common locations include:

• Residential buildings with entryway cameras
• Gas stations and bodegas near intersections
• Public buildings like post offices or libraries
• Traffic cameras managed by the city or NYPD

Private business owners may cooperate, but sometimes a subpoena or court order is required. NYPD and other agencies typically won’t release traffic footage without a legal claim already underway. 

Video can come from surprising places. Your lawyer may also look for:

• Doorbell cameras on nearby homes
• MTA buses with forward-facing cameras
• Construction site monitoring systems

By acting quickly, you improve your chances of recovering helpful footage before it disappears.

Preserve the Dashcam Footage from Your Vehicle

If your own vehicle had a dashcam, preserve the recording right away. Save the file to a separate device or cloud storage to prevent accidental deletion. Make a backup copy, and do not edit or alter it in any way.

Even if you think it doesn’t show the crash clearly, share it with your lawyer. Sometimes, the audio, timestamp, or peripheral footage provides valuable context. A view of brake lights, honking, or nearby pedestrians might help establish fault.

In many cases, people forget that they were recording. Check rental cars, ride-share vehicles, and company-owned trucks. Your lawyer can also send a letter to a trucking company requesting their dashcam data if the truck was commercial.

Send a Legal Preservation Letter Immediately

A preservation letter, sometimes called a spoliation letter, tells the video owner to retain specific footage. It creates a paper trail showing that the footage was requested before it was erased. This letter should include:

• The date, time, and location of the crash
• A description of what footage is needed
• A demand that the footage be preserved without alteration

Your attorney will send these letters to nearby stores, city agencies, or trucking companies. If they delete the footage after receiving notice, they could face legal consequences. This step can help level the playing field, especially if a large company controls the evidence.

Don’t Rely on City Traffic Footage Alone

Many Bronx residents assume that traffic cameras are always recording, but that’s not the case. 

While the city operates traffic surveillance at high-volume intersections, these cameras often stream in real time without saving footage. The Department of Transportation or NYPD may retain certain recordings, but only for limited purposes and timeframes.

To request traffic camera data, your lawyer may need to file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request. Even then, it’s not guaranteed that useful footage exists. That’s why private surveillance and dashcam recordings often provide stronger evidence.

If a city-owned camera did capture your accident, your lawyer will pursue it aggressively. That includes filing formal requests and following up on deadlines.

Video Footage Helps Establish Fault Clearly

In complex Bronx truck accidents, the question of fault isn’t always clear. Eyewitnesses may give conflicting stories. Drivers may blame each other. Video footage can cut through the noise.

Footage might show the truck making an illegal left turn, speeding, or ignoring a stop sign. It might show a pedestrian crossing lawfully. Or it could capture a cyclist or small vehicle getting sideswiped.

When used properly, this footage becomes a powerful negotiation tool. Insurance adjusters are more likely to settle favorably when clear visual evidence supports your claim.

How Attorneys Use Footage to Strengthen Claims

Once video footage is recovered, attorneys use it to build a clear, detailed narrative of how the crash happened. They compare what the footage shows against police reports, medical records, eyewitness accounts, and the weather and lighting conditions at the time of the collision. 

Looking at all of this together helps confirm your version of events and exposes gaps or contradictions in the defense. For instance, if a truck driver initially denied wrongdoing but dashcam footage shows them running a red light, that visual proof can significantly strengthen your claim.

Attorneys also rely on video to challenge common defense arguments. If the other side claims the crash was unavoidable due to poor visibility, footage may show clear skies, working streetlights, or unobstructed sightlines. 

In many cases, video evidence cuts through speculation and finger-pointing, making it harder for insurers or trucking companies to dispute what really happened.

Take Action Before the Footage Is Gone

Preserving camera footage takes fast action and legal skill. Every hour counts. 

If you’re in pain and overwhelmed, that’s understandable—but waiting could cost you the clearest evidence of what really happened.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our Bronx truck accident lawyers know how to act fast. We contact businesses, request dashcam data, and fight to keep crucial footage safe from deletion. 

Whether the crash happened near a Bronx expressway or a quiet residential corner, we’re here to help you protect your claim.

Hold the Right Parties Accountable

Dashcam and security footage often tell the story that drivers and witnesses can’t. When used correctly, they protect your rights and support your recovery. 

If you were hurt in a Bronx truck crash, let our trusted legal team at Horn Wright, LLP, help you act fast, gather evidence, and hold the right parties accountable.