Evidence Preservation Checklist

Commercial crashes generate evidence that a company can lawfully overwrite or recycle on a schedule. The sooner a spoliation letter goes out, the more of it survives.

Driver Logs & Hours of Service

FMCSA · ELD Records

Electronic logging data showing how long the driver had been on duty and whether the carrier pushed past federal limits.

Vehicle Black-Box (ECM/EDR) Data

Preserve Before Repair

Speed, braking, and throttle in the seconds before impact, pulled before the vehicle is fixed, sold, or scrapped.

Maintenance & Inspection Records

Carrier Files

Brake, tire, and repair history that shows whether the company kept the vehicle road-safe or deferred known problems.

Employment & Hiring File

Scope-Of-Employment Proof

Driver qualification, training, prior violations, and the records that tie the company to the crash.

Dashcam & Telematics

Spoliation Letter Required

In-cab and fleet camera footage plus GPS telematics, subpoenaed before the retention window closes.

Full Insurance Disclosures

Primary, Excess & Umbrella

Disclosure of the commercial primary, excess, and umbrella layers, not only the policy the adjuster volunteers.