3 ways your IT data is critical
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Fleet vehicles generate a constant stream of telematics data that helps improve operations. This could be GPS location, speed, braking and engine diagnostics. After a car accident, this same data becomes crucial evidence. If the company fails to maintain it, a defensible case can quickly collapse, making it difficult to mount an effective legal defense. In this blog, we explore how telematics data can shape the outcomes of car accident claims.
1. The legal principle of plunder and its consequences
Looting, or the intentional or negligent destruction of evidence, is treated with the utmost seriousness by the courts. They operate on the principle that destroying evidence is likely to be harmful to the responsible party. When a company fails to preserve telecommunications data after an incident, it loses important evidence and risks legal penalties. This applies even in the event of data loss due to a routine 30-day overwrite policy, as companies have a duty to stop such operations as soon as litigation is reasonably anticipated.
The consequences are severe and aim to create equal opportunities. The judge may instruct the jury to assume that the missing data was unfavorable to your company. In extreme cases, the court can dismiss your defenses or enter a default judgment, deciding the case in favor of the plaintiff without a trial. Maintaining a single digital file can be one of the most important steps to protecting your company’s financial and legal interests after an accident.
2. Loss of objective account of the accident
IT data can provide a real-time, second-by-second record of the vehicle activity that led to a collision. Has the objectivity to prove or disprove claims related to a driver’s speed, sudden lane change, or aggressive braking. It’s your best shot at showing your driver’s adherence to safety procedures based on this objective data.
For example, a reputable Boca Raton car accident law firm can use this information as a basis in creating a compelling, fact-based narrative. They can show that your company takes safety and responsible driving seriously.
Without this data, your defense relies on personal calculations. These are often inconsistent and conflicting. You also lose the ability to conclusively prove your driver adhered to the speed limit and complied with all traffic regulations.
The lack of this solid evidence creates uncertainty where there could have been clarity. This forces your legal team to confront accusations without a single piece of evidence that might conclusively support your version of the situation.
3. Undermining driver training and corporate credibility
A strong telematics system can serve as the foundation for a company’s safety program, where drivers are properly trained and best practices are encouraged. Retaining this information after an accident is a direct continuation of this promise, and an indication of how the company supports its training and drivers. It demonstrates to the jury that the company is transparent and maintains its operational standards.
Conversely, failure to preserve this data creates a stark contradiction. It enables opposing counsel to claim that a company’s safety protocols are just for show and that its culture actually encourages shortcuts.
This calculation can shift the focus away from the actions of a single driver. Instead, it highlights the broader and often more damaging issue of corporate accountability and oversight. Maintaining telecommunications information ultimately protects the company and maintains its reputation for integrity and operational excellence.
Endnote
Perception often becomes reality in lawsuits. Failure to maintain fleet data remotely can appear as a cover-up, weakening your defense and increasing your liability. What appears to be IT oversight may be framed as intentional misconduct. Protecting information data is critical to effective legal risk management today.
