Obtaining Dashcam Footage After Amazon Delivery Van Crashes in Baltimore

After an Amazon delivery van crash in Baltimore, it may be necessary to obtain video footage of the accident. This evidence could be vital, and it may clearly show who was at fault. But how do you get your hands on this footage? Is Amazon required to give it to you? Do all Amazon delivery vans have dash cams? These are questions that an experienced auto accident lawyer in Maryland can help answer.

Amazon Has Its Own System of “Artificial Intelligence Cameras” 

Amazon has one of the most extensive dashcam programs of any commercial delivery company. As a major tech company, its obsession with data should come as no surprise. The company now relies on a system of “artificial intelligence cameras” to gather this data, and it uses the information to streamline operations in many ways.

Amazon realizes that crashes affect profit margins. First, a crash slows down the delivery process. A disabled delivery van is obviously incapable of making its deliveries on time – and this affects Amazon’s bottom line. The cost of accident claims and lawsuits is another major factor – although Amazon often attempts to escape liability for crashes involving its vans.

Unlike many other commercial driving companies, Amazon requires both forward-facing and driver-facing cameras in its delivery vans. For reference, driver-facing cameras are still quite rare in the trucking industry.

Dashcams are controversial in the commercial delivery industry for many reasons. Some drivers view this as an invasion of privacy – especially when faced with cameras that capture their actions behind the wheel. One driver voiced concerns when a dashcam captured her crying while going through a mental health crisis. Others claim that the AI-powered cameras incorrectly penalize them for mistakes they never made.

How Do I Get Access to Amazon Van Dashcam Footage? 

Obtaining this footage should be relatively easy. During the pre-trial discovery process, the defendant is required to hand over any evidence that might be useful – including dashcam footage. If they refuse to share their footage, they may be ordered to do so.

Note that dashcams may not save footage from the entire day. Instead, they may only save footage moments before and after the crash. This should allow you to see exactly what the van and the driver were doing before the collision. Further evidence may be necessary to prove negligence in Maryland.

Can a Lawyer Help After an Amazon Delivery Van Crash in Maryland? 

After an Amazon delivery van crash in Baltimore, it may be possible to obtain various video evidence to establish negligence. An auto accident lawyer may be able to help you obtain this evidence, allowing you to determine what happened before your crash with confidence and clarity. That being said, video footage only represents one potential source of evidence after an Amazon van crash – and there may be many others to consider. To continue this conversation in more detail, schedule a free consultation with the Baltimore car accident lawyers at Furman Honick Law today.

Sources: 

fortune.com/2023/02/27/amazon-delivery-driver-breaks-down-ai-surveillance-in-vans/

vice.com/en/article/amazons-ai-cameras-are-punishing-drivers-for-mistakes-they-didnt-make/