Truck Accident Investigation & Evidence Flashcards

What is the 'black box' (ECM) in a commercial truck and why is it critical after an accident?

Answer: An electronic control module storing speed, braking, and engine data before a crash

The ECM records data such as vehicle speed, throttle position, and brake application in the seconds before a crash, providing objective evidence of the driver's actions.

Why must a truck accident attorney send a spoliation letter immediately after a crash?

Answer: To put the trucking company on legal notice to preserve evidence before it is destroyed or overwritten

Trucking companies are required to preserve evidence once they receive a spoliation letter, preventing deletion of ECM data, logs, or surveillance footage.

Which professional typically performs a truck accident reconstruction to determine how a crash occurred?

Answer: Accident reconstruction expert

An accident reconstruction expert uses physical evidence, vehicle data, and engineering principles to scientifically recreate the collision.

What information does a truck driver's logbook (or ELD) provide in a crash investigation?

Answer: Hours driven, rest periods, and whether the driver violated Hours of Service limits

Driver logs and Electronic Logging Devices record hours of service compliance, revealing whether driver fatigue may have contributed to the crash.

What does a chain of custody document in a truck accident investigation?

Answer: The handling and transfer of physical evidence from collection to court presentation

Chain of custody records ensure that physical evidence has not been tampered with or contaminated from the time it is collected until it is presented at trial.

Which trucking company record details scheduled and completed maintenance on a commercial vehicle?

Answer: Vehicle maintenance and inspection records

Maintenance records show whether the truck was properly serviced and whether known defects—such as brake failures—were neglected before the crash.