Most traffic camera footage is automatically overwritten within days. Witness memories fade. Vehicles get repaired. The evidence that proves who caused your accident has a short shelf life — and collecting it right is what separates winning cases from losing ones. This interactive guide tells you exactly what to gather, where to get it, and how soon you have to act.
Your Evidence Action Plan
Traffic cam footage can be hard to get on your own. BAM's investigators do this every day — send us a preservation letter the same day you call:
Camera retention windows and retrieval procedures vary by jurisdiction and agency. Information is current as of 2026 but subject to change. UDOT and ITD traffic cameras are generally live-view only and not archived — but individual municipalities, business security systems, and private traffic camera operators often retain footage for 7–30 days. Send written preservation letters immediately; verbal requests do not create a legal duty to preserve. This tool is educational and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
