The Big Picture
Plaintiff attorneys routinely weaponize evidence preservation demands in truck accident cases, creating costly burdens for carriers while setting up "spoliation" claims as litigation leverage.
Why It Matters
Even minor accidents trigger sweeping preservation letters demanding everything from electronic control module (ECM) downloads to driver phones — not because the data is needed, but to create legal tripwires.
The stakes: Courts can punish spoliation (failure to preserve evidence) by:
- Instructing juries to assume missing evidence was unfavorable
- In extreme cases, automatically finding fault with the trucking company
The State of Play
Three motivations drive these demands:
- Autopilot — Copy-paste templates circulated since seminars decades ago (some still request "tachograph" records)
- Herd mentality — Everyone else does it, so they do too
- Leverage — Creating failure points for future "gotcha" moments
The New Threat
Plaintiff attorneys are bypassing warning letters entirely, obtaining preliminary injunctions without notice. That puts carriers under immediate court orders before they can respond.
What they're saying: "We need everything preserved for justice."
The reality: Most demanded materials are never actually reviewed or used.
Your Defense Playbook
Act fast on critical data:
- Lock down 6 months of logs immediately
- Preserve telematics (30-day shelf life)
- Download or swap driver phones
Push back strategically:
- Set finite inspection periods (15 days)
- Demand compensation for truck downtime
- Make them justify the burden
The Bottom Line
This isn't about justice — it's litigation gamesmanship. Recognize the trap, preserve defensively, and turn their tactics into your leverage. Make them ask: Is this fender-bender really worth the fight?
What's next: Courts may eventually push back on these abusive tactics, but until then, carriers must stay one move ahead.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
