What Is a Spoliation Letter?
A spoliation letter is a formal legal demand sent to a trucking company and its insurer requiring them to preserve all evidence related to a crash. This includes Electronic Control Module (ECM / “Black Box”) data, driver logs, GPS records, dash cam footage, and maintenance records.
Under federal law, destruction of evidence after notice can result in severe sanctions, including adverse inference instructions at trial. Sending this letter immediately after a crash is one of the most important steps in any trucking litigation.
Why Timing Is Critical
Trucking companies routinely recycle ECM data and reassign vehicles within days of a crash. If you do not send a preservation demand immediately, the most powerful evidence in your case may be permanently destroyed.
Need Help With Your Case?
This tool provides a starting point, but every trucking crash case is unique. Contact Hicks Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and ensure all evidence is properly preserved.