Truck claims can add motor-carrier safety rules, commercial-driver qualifications, hours-of-service and ELD records, inspections, maintenance, cargo issues, multiple business relationships, and commercial insurance layers that usually do not exist in an ordinary passenger-car claim.
FMCSA states that motor carriers must retain records of duty status and supporting documents for six months. Other records can follow different retention schedules, so preservation should be tailored to the carrier and evidence source.
Depending on the facts, the motor carrier or employer, tractor or trailer owner, lessor, maintenance provider, cargo or loading entity, or another business may matter. Responsibility should be based on the actual relationship and evidence, not assumed from the logo on the truck.
A.R.S. § 12-542 generally provides a two-year limitations period for injury-to-person actions, but special defendants or facts can change the deadline analysis. Evidence preservation should begin far earlier than the lawsuit deadline.
