Truck crashes and the records that can disappear

When a commercial truck is involved, the evidence is not only on the road. Trucking companies keep records that can show how long the driver had been working, how the vehicle was maintained, and what the truck was doing in the seconds before the crash.

The records that are often relevant

• Hours-of-service logs showing how long the driver had been on duty.
• Electronic logging and on-board data such as speed and braking.
• Inspection and maintenance files for the truck and the trailer.
• The driver’s qualification file and training records.
• Load and dispatch records showing the schedule they were working to.

Why timing matters

Some of these records are kept only for a limited time, and on-board data can be overwritten as the truck goes back into service. Attorneys who handle truck crashes often send a written request to preserve evidence early, which is one reason people in serious truck crashes tend to look for advice sooner.

Note the company name and the number painted on the door of the cab. It identifies who operates the truck, which is not always the name on the trailer.

Written by the Crash Next Law team. General information, not legal advice.