What Evidence Should Be Preserved After an 18-Wheeler Crash?

Electronic and vehicle data

Potential sources include ELD records, ECM data, onboard cameras, collision-warning systems, GPS, dispatch platforms, toll records, phone data, and electronic inspection reports. Not every vehicle retains the same information for the same period.

Driver and company records

Qualification files, applications, licenses, medical certifications, training, prior incidents, drug-and-alcohol materials, hours-of-service records, policies, and discipline may be relevant depending on the issues.

Cargo and maintenance

Bills of lading, weight tickets, loading instructions, securement records, repair history, inspections, tire records, and post-collision examinations can identify additional parties or causes.

A specific preservation request

A generic letter is less useful than a request tailored to the truck, trailer, route, systems, companies, and disputed conduct. Preservation should occur before routine retention systems overwrite evidence.

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