Today's dual-facing dash cams go far beyond protecting your drivers and business in case of an accident. From lower insurance rates to improved driver behavior, see why more businesses are embracing this smart, easy to use technology.
Oct. 15, 2024
With vehicle costs, insurance rates, and accident liability skyrocketing, it's no surprise more businesses are embracing dual-facing dash cams for their work trucks. Whether you're in a field service business or trucking, your work trucks are critical to getting the job done. But those same vehicles also expose your business to risk when they’re on the road. And if you’re not using dual-facing dash cams for work trucks to protect them, you’re leaving your business vulnerable.
Dual-facing dash cams for reduce risk and liability in two ways:
-
They provide critical evidence in the event of an accident that was not your driver's fault.
-
They help ensure drivers comply with safe driving behaviors such as properly wearing seatbelts and ignoring their cell phones.
Here’s what you’re risking by not having dash cams installed in your work vehicles—backed by real numbers and examples that hit home.
1. Increased liability in accidents
Accidents happen. But if you don’t have dash cam footage, proving your driver isn’t at fault can be tough. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 80% of accidents involving commercial vehicles aren’t the fault of the driver. But without video proof from a work truck dash cam, you might end up paying for damages that weren’t your responsibility.
Cost: The average cost of a commercial vehicle accident is about $70,000; if it’s a crash involving injuries or fatality, that number can easily climb to more than $500,000, according to the FMCSA. And fatalities are on the rise. This recent National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTA) report shows fatalities involving medium- and heavy-duty trucks rose 2% in 2022, totaling 5,936 fatalities. That follows a 17% rise From 2020 to 2021.
For many small and medium sized businesses, that's potentially business ending liability that can be significantly reduced with clear video footage showing what really happened.
2. Rising insurance costs
Insurance companies love dash cams because they help prevent false claims and accidents. Without them, you could be missing out on discounts and be stuck with rising premiums. Commercial vehicle insurance rates have been climbing every year, thanks to higher accident rates and claims payouts.
Today many insurance companies strongly encourage the use of dash cams and/or offer incentives for doing so. Here are a few key points:
- Lower Premiums: Some insurers provide discounts on premiums when businesses install dash cams. The footage can help settle claims more quickly and accurately, reducing risk for both the insurer and the business.
- Claims Protection: Dash cams offer crucial evidence during accidents or disputes. Insurers may favor businesses with dash cams because they reduce fraudulent claims or contested incidents.
- Risk Mitigation Programs: Some insurance companies collaborate with businesses to offer telematics or video monitoring solutions that include dash cams. These programs promote safer driving, leading to fewer accidents and claims.
- Industry-Specific Requirements: In high-risk industries like trucking or delivery services, some insurance providers may require dash cams to ensure compliance with safety protocols and better manage risk.
Cost: If your driver is involved in an accident and you can’t prove it wasn’t their fault, your premiums could increase by 20% to 30%. Dash cams can help you avoid that jump.
3. False claims and fraud
Without dash cams, you’re a target for fraudulent claims. Staged accidents and false injury claims cost the insurance industry up to $80 billion a year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. For a small business, that’s a nightmare—legal fees, settlements, and higher insurance premiums can pile up.
Cost: Handling a fraudulent claim can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, even if the claim is bogus. Dash cams protect your business from getting caught in these traps.
4. Increased risk of theft and vandalism
Your work vehicles are expensive, and they’re always at risk of being stolen or vandalized. Dash cams are a great deterrent. Without them, you’re leaving your trucks exposed. In 2023, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the United States, marking a 25% rise in theft incidents compared to recent years. In many cases, just seeing a dash cam in a vehicle can cause a potential thief or vandal to move on.
Cost: Vehicle theft costs businesses almost $6 billion a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And that doesn’t count the downtime you suffer when you lose a truck.
5. Poor driver behavior going unchecked
Your drivers represent your company every time they hit the road. If they’re speeding, texting while driving, or driving recklessly, it puts your business at risk. Driver behavior is the cause of 88% of accidents, according to the FMCSA. Without dash cams, you’re in the dark about how your team is really driving.
Cost: Reckless driving can cost your business between $16,500 and $74,000 per incident, in fines, repairs, and higher insurance rates.
6. Missed Opportunity for Coaching and Improvement
Dash cams don’t just protect your business—they also help your drivers improve. With dash cam footage, you can show drivers exactly what they’re doing wrong, coach them on better driving habits, and make your team safer on the road. A study by the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence showed that fleet operations that utilized dash cams saw a 52% reduction in unsafe driving behaviors.
Cost: Investing in training and using real dash cam footage for coaching can save you $50,000 to $100,000 a year by reducing accidents and lowering operating costs.
Protect Your Fleet and Your Business with LinxCam™ with AI
With LinxCam with AI, you get more than just a dash cam—you get an intelligent safety tool that can help you proactively prevent incidents before they happen. Our AI-powered dash cams not only record critical video footage but also analyze driver behavior in real-time, giving you instant alerts on unsafe driving practices like speeding, harsh braking, and distracted driving.
Why choose LinxCam™ with AI?
- AI-powered driver monitoring to help prevent accidents before they happen.
- Real-time alerts on risky behavior like texting while driving or tailgating.
- High-definition video that captures every detail, day or night.
- GPS tracking so you always know where your vehicles are.
- Instant cloud access to video footage for easy review anytime, anywhere.
- US-based customer support that’s always ready to help.
LinxCam with AI doesn’t just protect your fleet—it helps you build a safer, more efficient team on the road. Don’t wait for an accident or a false claim to cost your business. Stay one step ahead with the power of AI.
Contact us today to learn how LinxCam™ with AI can protect your drivers, your fleet, and your bottom line.
