What to expect after a truck accident
Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous types of collisions. They happen almost every day with thousands of trucks on the road.
After a truck accident, several things need to be appropriately handled. Paramedics, emergency personnel, and the police arrive at the scene. They work closely to identify vehicles involved in the accident, tow away damaged cars, and ensure injured victims receive medical attention.
Truck accidents can be tragic. Victims may be disabled, killed, or left with lifelong injuries. They may lose their jobs or need to take time off from work to recover. Insurance companies know that the evidence left behind could be key to collecting the compensation victims deserve. Insurers and trucking companies may try to remove evidence in order to reduce their liabilities.
Evidence that reveals fault in truck accident cases
Surveillance video or dashcam footage
We may not always be able to tell who was at fault or what happened. Sometimes the only person who can provide the relevant details is an eyewitness who wasn’t involved in the accident. This is why dashcam footage or surveillance video can help determine fault and clarify what happened.
You can also take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
Electronic logging devices (ELD)
Electronic logging devices create a safer work environment for drivers. They are devices used to record helpful information such as drive time, GPS location, engine speed and load, harsh braking, and collisions. This can help prove a truck driver was negligent when the crash occurred.
Trucking company screening and employment records
Truck companies conduct background checks, drug testing, and driving record checks to screen employees. Screening and employment records can show if the trucking company followed these processes or if they were negligent in recruiting drivers.
Eyewitness testimony
Eyewitnesses can provide important information regarding what happened before and during the crash. Their testimony can prove helpful in truck accident cases, so long as it’s not tainted by bias or inaccurate.
Truck driver’s statements
If a truck driver admits responsibility for a collision, this information can work in your favor. The trucker’s speech may be difficult to understand, which could be due to fatigue or having consumed alcohol. Alcohol or fatigue can affect a trucker’s ability to drive safely.
Documentation
You will have a higher chance of winning if you have relevant documents. These could include a police report, medical reports, the truck’s black box, the trucker’s logbook, etc.
Ways to preserve evidence after a truck accident
Preserving evidence after a truck accident is crucial to improving your chances of success. If you fail to preserve the evidence, you risk losing valuable evidence and giving an unfair advantage to the other party.
Your truck accident attorney must have all the information they need to represent you in the best way possible. This is why it is essential to hire a reputable truck accident lawyer who understands the ins and outs of your case.
In this case, we can protect your rights by sending a spoliation letter. A spoliation letter is a written notice sent to relevant companies informing them that there is evidence in need of preservation. It provides specific information regarding the evidence that needs to be preserved. Any company that does not comply with the spoliation letter may face legal sanctions.
Let us piece together evidence to win your case.
At Lionsgate Law Group, our experienced truck accident attorneys will help you gather the appropriate evidence and send spoliation letters to preserve evidence. With over 30 years of experience and a dedication to fighting for injured truck accident victims, we have established ourselves as one of California’s top personal injury law firms. No one wants to spend their life suffering from the consequences of a truck crash; don’t let that happen to you. Call us at 800-454-5299 today!