Exonerating Drivers with Dash Cam Proof

Exoneration of one of your truck drivers in the event an accident isn’t merely possible, it’s probable.

Compelling statistics support dash cam use based solely on the potential for proving the truck driver was not at fault. FMCSA conducted studies from 2007 through 2009 that reviewed 6,131 fatal car-truck crashes.

The FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts (September 2022) showed that in 2020, at least one driver-related factor was recorded for 32% of the large truck drivers in fatal crashes, compared to 55% of the passenger vehicle drivers in fatal crashes.

Large Truck Crashes On the Rise

Crashes involving large trucks are on the rise. According to the National Safety Council, between 2010 - 2019, there was a 43% increase in deadly crashes.

Carriers don’t typically buy the shiny new object in safety technology, and it’s no different with dash cams. Leaders want to be sure these devices will provide bottom-line savings before they invest in them. However, many fleets have moved to dash cams in the past few years because of the value of exoneration.

Exoneration of even one driver involved in a crash with significant litigation risk will pay for the investment many times over. Additionally, proof of the driver’s innocence prevents having to hire and train a new driver. Dash cams level the playing field, defending drivers and carriers against wrongful lawsuits.

Dash-cam video clips can be pivotal in proving that your driver was doing the right things at the right time. Absent video evidence, relying on witness testimony is a gamble, especially when the statistics favor the truck driver and the carrier.

Dash Cam Return on Investment

No other piece of in-cab technology provides such a substantial return on investment across multiple areas of your organization. With dash cameras, the ability to proactively manage your risk and improve operations is significant.

Even if you can’t wholly exonerate your driver, video evidence may still motivate a plaintiff to settle more quickly and for less than expected. Your video may show that the situation wasn’t nearly as egregious as prior statements indicated.

1 Benchmarking Survey Report. National Private Truck Council. 2021.