Dash-cam technology helps clarify what happens in an automobile crash, but it's not without professional liability concerns. A third party can sue a driver involved in an accident, no matter whose fault it is, and dashcam footage could decide who gets blamed. Public officials are more likely to review the footage to identify negligence or infractions. Trucking companies are encouraged to have their drivers use dash cameras as evidence when filing insurance claims after accidents.

The use of truck dashcam technology among commercial drivers is still relatively new, but the benefits are becoming increasingly clear. These benefits include providing an accurate record of how the driver reacted during a potentially dangerous event for legal and insurance purposes. However, these dash cameras (like any other surveillance camera) can be hacked and used to gather information on individuals who are unaware they're recording. The data gathered from these cameras is then sold or published to exacerbate existing issues like privacy and public safety.

Additionally, recordings from the dashcam present another issue due to the alternative reasons the recordings exist. Recordings geared toward the truck's surroundings would be considered legitimate and encouraged. However, if he's using this technology for other purposes such as recording a conversation with another driver or passenger he could open himself up to the risk of discipline and termination from his job.

This concern and several others highlight why commercial drivers should never use their dashcam for any reason other than work-related functions. However, this does not mean that any driver should not use dashcams. Rather, employers and attorneys should decide to use one case-by-case basis. Many commercial drivers have used dashcams to protect themselves against potential insurance fraud, but this is not the only way they can use their cameras. The footage they capture can be used as evidence whether to prove a point during a court case or in a personal injury lawsuit. In some state laws, footage recorded by the dashcam is admissible as evidence. In contrast, other states require the driver to take digital photographs and audio recordings when responding to an accident.

Regardless of what states may require, commercial drivers must be aware that their vehicles are legally mandated to carry cameras (even if they are not visible outside). To be covered under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, a camera must be in working condition. Because these vehicles are so large and dangerous, the consequences of an accident involving one would be of high value to a careless driver. Using a dashcam, the driver can provide a more accurate picture of what happened during the crash and avoid liability for damages resulting from an accident.