Truck Accident Evidence Checklist - Canada

This checklist is educational only and is not legal advice. A lawyer in your province should review deadlines, insurer notices, evidence preservation steps, and whether urgent letters should be sent.

At the scene if safe:
- Call emergency services when anyone may be hurt.
- Get medical attention and document symptoms early.
- Photograph vehicle positions, plates, trailer numbers, cargo, road surface, weather, skid marks, debris, signage, traffic controls, and visible damage.
- Get driver, carrier, broker, shipper, insurer, witness, police, and tow information.
- Do not argue fault or sign broad releases at the scene.

Within the first few days:
- Request the police collision report number.
- Notify your own insurer as required by your policy and provincial rules.
- Keep all medical, pharmacy, therapy, parking, travel, and care receipts.
- Start a symptom, appointment, work-impact, and help-needed journal.
- Save dashcam, phone photos, GPS trip history, texts, emails, and call logs.
- Do not repair, sell, or dispose of the vehicle until evidence questions are reviewed.

Truck-specific evidence to ask a lawyer about:
- Driver logbooks and electronic logging device data.
- Hours-of-service compliance.
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection records.
- Maintenance, brake, tire, and repair records.
- Engine control module or event data recorder data.
- Dispatch records, bills of lading, trip sheets, route plans, and delivery schedules.
- Carrier safety policies and driver qualification file.
- Cargo securement records and weight documents.
- Dashcam, cab camera, depot, shipper, receiver, and roadside video.
- Cellphone and in-cab device use.
- Broker, shipper, trailer owner, maintenance contractor, leasing company, and employer relationships.

Red flags:
- Serious injuries, death, multiple vehicles, cargo spill, hazmat, out-of-province carrier, leased truck, employer pressure, quick settlement offer, unclear insurer, hit-and-run, government road defendant, or a child/minor injured.

Last reviewed: June 10, 2026.