If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, what you do in the hours and days that follow can have a major impact on your ability to recover compensation. One of the most critical steps in protecting your rights is preserving evidence—before it’s lost, destroyed, or tampered with. Attorney Kevin Sullivan has handled countless truck accident cases across Florida, and time and time again, strong evidence has made all the difference.
Unlike regular car accidents, truck accident cases involve multiple parties: the driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and more. Each may play a role in the crash—and each may try to limit their responsibility. Preserving evidence early helps identify who’s at fault and strengthens your claim.
So what kind of evidence matters most?
Key Takeaways
- Critical evidence after a truck accident can be lost or destroyed quickly.
- ELD logs, black box data, dashcam footage, and maintenance records help prove liability.
- A spoliation letter is used to legally demand that evidence be preserved.
- The sooner evidence is preserved, the stronger your injury claim will be.
- Florida’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the crash.
First, there’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, which tracks how long a trucker has been driving. If the driver violated federal Hours-of-Service rules, that data can be key. There’s also dashcam footage, black box data, maintenance records, GPS tracking, and employment files—all of which can be requested through a legal process known as a spoliation letter. But if you wait too long, this evidence can disappear.
Photographs from the scene, witness statements, and even your own medical records also help prove the extent of your injuries and how the crash happened. Without these, you could end up fighting an uphill battle with the insurance company.
Florida law gives you just two years to file a personal injury claim. That may sound like plenty of time, but evidence doesn’t wait. Trucking companies move quickly to protect themselves. You should too.
Working with a truck accident lawyer like Attorney Kevin Sullivan ensures the right steps are taken immediately. His team can send preservation letters, hire accident reconstruction experts, and gather the facts you need to build a strong case from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a spoliation letter?
It’s a formal legal request demanding that certain evidence not be destroyed or altered after an accident.
2. Why is truck accident evidence so time-sensitive?
Trucking companies often start cleaning up or disposing of evidence within days. Quick legal action is critical.
3. Can dashcam or black box data help my case?
Absolutely. These can show how fast the truck was going, if brakes were used, and more.
4. Who can help gather and preserve this evidence?
A truck accident attorney can take immediate steps to secure and protect all relevant evidence.
5. What happens if evidence is destroyed before my claim?
It can severely weaken your case. That’s why it’s important to call Attorney Kevin Sullivan at (813) 598-4868 as soon as possible.
This post was written by a professional at LeavenLaw. Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II is your zephyrhills truck accident lawyer and the best personal injury attorney near you for LeavenLaw. Kevin is proud to serve Florida accident victims that have been injured in auto accidents, motorcycle accident, slip and falls or have suffered any other type of injury caused by negligence. Kevin offers a FREE no-obligation consultation to discuss your claim. There are NO upfront fees or costs and if he does not collect for you, you do not owe him anything.
