10 Tips For Getting The Most Value From Semi Truck Case
How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal
On the roads of America collisions with semi trucks are not uncommon. Because of their intimidating size, the injuries suffered when a collision occurs with a truck could be serious.
If you've been injured in a collision involving a truck, an experienced lawyer can help you recover the compensation you're due. Learn about the different types of truck accidents that happen and how they impact your case.
1. Investigate the cause of the accident
In the event of an accident, evidence must be collected and preserved immediately. That is especially important when the accident involves semi trucks. There are a variety of sources of information, including the black box data from the truck driver's cell phone records. It is also possible for other technological devices to be used as evidence, such as crash data recorders, or a truck's "nanny camera." All of this information could help determine what caused the accident, and who's at fault.
It is also important to notify the police as quickly as possible in any semi truck accident. This will guarantee an accurate and complete report of the incident. It is difficult to prove the truth and determine who is responsible for the crash without a thorough and proper police investigation.
It is best to respond to questions as much as you feel comfortable once the police arrive. Do not speculate or make guesses to attempt to improve your image. These answers could be used against you by the trucking company or the driver in court.
The officer of the police will collect various kinds of evidence from the scene, such as photographs of both vehicles as well as the surrounding area. They will also write down the names and contact details of anyone who may witness the incident. It's also an excellent idea to take a photo of the truck's license plate and any other markings that identify the vehicle or the trailer.
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common causes for semi-truck accidents. These accidents usually occur when a vehicle is following too closely. In these situations, the driver of the truck may hit the back of the car or truck in front of him, causing serious or fatal injuries.
Tire blowouts, shifting of loads, inadequate maintenance of trucks or trailers as well as other factors are the main causes of semi-truck crashes. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to address these issues and can help you prove who is liable for your losses. In the majority of instances, a truck driver is the sole responsible party for any accident caused due to their negligence. However, there are other routes to compensation that can be pursued if it is determined that the cause of the accident was something else like an issue with the manufacturing process of the trailer or truck.
2. Contact the Police
Notifying the police is the first step you should take after an accident with semi-trucks occurs. They will arrive and record official statements about the accident, including any injuries that were sustained. Then, they will provide you with a formal police report to use in your claim for damages. The NYPD keep their reports on file at their precincts for a long time and, therefore, if you're near to the scene of the incident (or is able to go there easily), you should take one. Or, you can go to the NYPD's website to request an investigation.
It is essential to speak to everyone involved in the accident, including the truck driver as well as passengers. This includes the truck driver, passengers and any other witnesses. Be sure to collect their names, contact numbers and insurance policy information and the name of the company they work for. If you can, also take pictures or videos of the scene. This will help you to record the accident and will also give an image recording of the moment of the collision.
In many cases truck accidents are the result of the negligence or fault of the driver. This could result from drowsiness, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or speeding. These dangers are particularly pronounced when driving large, heavy vehicles.
Another reason for semi-accidents is bad roads or weather conditions. Trucks aren't easy to maneuver, so when they're driven in bad conditions, they could be uncontrollable, and even collide with smaller vehicles.
Another common cause of truck accidents is poor maintenance of the trailer or truck. A vehicle that is not properly maintained can be dangerous since it is more likely to roll over or suffer mechanical malfunctions. This could be due to bad weather, driver fatigue, or negligence on the part of the trucking company.
A reputable truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident and identify all parties at fault, and gather evidence to support your case. They will also handle all communications with trucking company's insurance company so you do not have to worry about them trying to convince you to admit that you were at fault, or to reduce the amount of compensation you're entitled to.
3. Gather Information
Photograph everything as you wait for the police. Included in this are the damage to any vehicle involved, as well as skid marks and anything else that could aid your case. You should also take photographs of the passengers and driver of the truck, as well as witnesses who might have witnessed the accident. You will not have to find them later on, and your lawyer will be capable of determining who is responsible.
Be sure to ask eyewitnesses if they will speak under an oath. This will ensure that their claims are true and not altered by other people's accounts of the events. Witness statements are crucial in determining the cause of an accident and can be used to show the negligence of the trucking company.
It is important to gather all the information you can about the trucking company, the driver and their background. This could include a copy of the driver's commercial driver's licence and their qualification for personnel as well as their training file. It can also include a past check, drug screening results and safety performance records. Attorneys can subpoena the information if necessary.
Another vital piece of evidence is the trucker's telephone records. This will reveal whether the trucker was actually on the phone at the moment of the accident, and could be the basis for a lawsuit. The phone records of the trucking company could be used to determine if they have policies regarding texting while driving.
In the end, it is crucial to gather medical documents and bills. This will allow you to establish the severity of your injuries as well as the amount of compensation that you must be awarded for your financial losses. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost earnings and future earning potential. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses like pain and suffering mental distress and loss of consortium.
An experienced attorney can assist you in gathering all the information you need and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company when you are looking to file an accident claim for a semi truck accident lawyers truck.
4. Contact a Lawyer
While it's understandable to be upset after collisions with semi truck, it's vital to remain calm. Don't leave the crash scene, regardless of whether you're injured or not. This is not only unprofessional but also illegal. Instead, stay on the scene until authorities permit you to leave.
Document any damage to your vehicle or personal property, as also any injuries you've sustained. If you can, it's best to document this incident with images or video. However, notes will also suffice. This information can be very useful in the future. Talk to witnesses and collect their contact information as quickly as you can. When you're cleaning up it's a good idea take photographs of the scene of the crash. They could be used as evidence should you require them.
If you have been injured in a Semi truck accident law firm-truck crash, it is important to seek medical attention right away and contact the police. It's also vital not to admit guilt, because this can hurt your chances of receiving an adequate settlement for your claim. If a trucking company calls you with a proposal to settle, it's best to respectfully decline and call an attorney.
There are several different types of damages that you may be able to claim from the at-fault party in a semi-truck crash. The most straightforward of these is the economic compensatory damages which are designed to compensate you for any financial losses due to the wreck. This can include emergency hospital visits, room charges ongoing treatments, and any loss of income resulting from the injuries you sustained.
In addition to financial compensatory damages, you may be eligible to receive punitive damages from the at-fault party. They are designed to punish the defendant for their illegal actions and discourage similar behaviour in the future. It isn't easy to prove this type of compensation in court, however certain factors can help determine the appropriate amount. These could include data from the driver log of the trucker electronic driving records and evidence of cell phone usage, as well as reports or opinions from forensic or financial experts.