What happens if evidence is destroyed during a lawsuit?

When important evidence is intentionally or negligently destroyed, the legal issue is known as "spoliation of evidence."

Examples include:

• Deleting electronic records
• Destroying driver logs
• Erasing surveillance footage
• Disposing of damaged equipment
• Failing to preserve black box data

Courts take evidence preservation seriously. If a party destroys evidence that should have been preserved, a judge may impose sanctions, allow the jury to draw negative conclusions against that party, or impose other penalties depending on the circumstances.

Preserving evidence early is often one of the most important steps in any personal injury or civil rights case.