Abstract: One or more video cameras are mounted on the vehicle to make continuously a visual record of the scene in a region around the vehicle. Camera images during a time interval covering the current time and the recent past are stored on-board the vehicle, preferably, digitally recorded in a compressed format. In addition, data (e.g. one or more operating parameters such as speed, GPS data, engine, and/or brake operating parameters) from the vehicle's on-board embedded computers covering the present and recent past interval are also preferably digitally stored on-board the vehicle. An accident detector or detectors on-board the vehicle, for example a biaxial accelerometer, generate a trigger signal in response to an accident, such as the vehicle striking something or being struck by another vehicle. In response to an accident detector trigger signal, the data stored on-board the vehicle is automatically transmitted over a wireless link (e.g.