Truck Accident Investigations
What Evidence Is Available At A Truck Collision Scene?
Answer: At a truck collision scene, the police officer(s) will typically collect and analyze the following types of evidence:
1. Physical evidence: This includes the vehicles involved, skid marks, damage to property, debris, and other objects that can be examined for information about the accident.
2. Eyewitness testimony: Eyewitnesses can provide important information about the events leading up to the accident and can help to reconstruct what happened.
3. Environmental evidence: Weather conditions, road conditions, and other environmental factors can also play a role in causing a truck accident and can be evaluated as evidence.
What Is A Truck Collision Reconstruction?
Answer: Truck collision reconstruction is the process of analyzing and reconstructing the physical, technical and human factors involved in a truck crash. The goal is to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision, including the speed, direction, and movements of the vehicles involved, in order to establish the cause and determine liability. This is typically performed by a specialist trained in accident investigation and reconstruction, using a combination of physical evidence, vehicle data, and eyewitness accounts.
Why Is The Truck Inspected After The Collision?
Answer: Your truck accident lawyer may inspect the truck after the collision to gather evidence that can help determine the cause of the crash. That inspection may involve a thorough examination of the truck’s exterior and interior, including the mechanical systems, braking system, steering mechanism, and other components.
The inspection may also involve the use of specialized tools and techniques to extract data from the truck’s onboard computer systems, such as the electronic control module (ECM). This data can provide valuable information about the truck’s speed, braking, and other important factors at the time of the collision.
In addition to helping establish the cause of the crash, the inspection can also provide important information for use in court or the truck accident insurance claim. The inspection results can be used to establish liability, determine the extent of property damage, and establish the need for repairs or replacement of damaged components.
What Trucking Company Records Are Helpful To Examine After A Collision?
Answer: After a truck collision, it is important to review several records maintained by the trucking company to help determine the cause of the crash and establish liability. Some of the most important records to review include:
1. Driver’s logbook: This contains information on the driver’s hours of service, rest periods, and duty status, and can help determine if the driver was operating the truck in compliance with regulations.
2. Maintenance records: These records provide information on the truck’s maintenance history, including regular inspections and repairs, and can help identify any mechanical issues that may have contributed to the collision.
3. Dispatch records: These records show the route the truck was scheduled to take and any changes made to the route during the trip.
4. Vehicle data recorder (VDR) or electronic control module (ECM) data: This data can provide information on the truck’s speed, braking, and other critical factors at the time of the collision.
5. Vehicle surveillance camera footage: If the truck was equipped with a forward-facing camera, that footage may demonstrate how the collision occurred. If the truck was equipped with an inward-facing camera, that footage may reveal whether the truck driver was distracted shortly before the collision occurred.
6. Training records: These records show the driver’s training history, including any safety training or certification programs completed, and can help establish the driver’s level of experience and competence.
Reviewing these records can help establish the cause of the collision and determine liability, and can be valuable evidence in court or for a truck accident insurance claim.
What Truck Driver Information Do I Need To Prove My Claim?
Answer: Your truck accident lawyer will next try to collect information about the truck driver that was involved in the collision. Here is some of the typical information that will be collected:
1. Driver’s name and contact information: This information is necessary to identify the driver and provide a way to contact them if needed.
2. License information: This includes the driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) number and any previous traffic violations or accidents.
3. Current Employment: Was the driver an employee of the trucking company or an independent contractor?
4. Prior employment: Was the truck driver employed by other trucking companies in the past? Were they fired from those jobs because of an unsafe driving history record?
5. Drug and alcohol test results: This information can determine if the driver was impaired at the time of the collision.
6. Hours of service records: This information can determine if the driver was following regulations for rest periods and maximum hours of service, which can impact their fatigue levels.
How Do I Prove That The Truck Accident Caused My Injuries?
Answer: Proving that you were injured in a truck accident requires a combination of medical documentation and other evidence. Some steps you can take to prove your injury include:
1. Seek medical attention: This will establish a record of your injury and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. Make sure to keep all medical receipts, reports, and test results.
2. Document the injury: Take photos of your injuries (if they are visible) and keep a journal detailing the symptoms, pain levels, and any other effects on your daily life.
3. Obtain witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, try to obtain their contact information and written statements about what they saw. If your injuries aren’t visible, it would be helpful to have a witness that can document that you complained about your injuries at the collision scene.
4. Gather evidence: Collect any evidence from the scene of the accident, such as photographs, police reports, and truck data recordings.
5. Consult with an expert: An experienced accident reconstructionist or medical expert may be able to provide additional support for your claim by analyzing the evidence and providing testimony regarding the likelihood that the collision caused your injuries.
By presenting a comprehensive and credible account of your injury, along with supporting evidence, you can increase the chances of a successful outcome for your claim. However, the specific requirements and evidentiary standards for proving injury will vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case.
Our Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta truck accident lawyers have successfully represented many truck accident victims. We will help you achieve a great result for your case.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470 to discuss your car accident case. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with our team. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.