How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal
On the roads across America collisions with semi trucks are not common. Because of their size truck accidents can result in serious injuries.
If you have been injured in a car accident an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Find out about the various types of truck accidents and how they could affect your case.
1. Investigate the cause of the accident.
In the event of an accident, the evidence must be collected and preserved immediately. This is especially important when it comes to semi-trucks. There are a variety of sources of information, including the black-box data of the truck driver and his cell phone records. It is also possible for other devices to be used for evidence, including crash data recorders and even a truck's "nanny cam." All of this information could help determine the cause of the accident and who's at fault.
In the event of a semi-truck crash, it is important to involve the police as soon as you can. This will ensure an accurate and complete account of the incident. Without a thorough and accurate investigation by the police, it could be extremely difficult to prove what really happened and who was at fault in the crash.
When the police arrive when they arrive, you should answer questions as much as you feel comfortable. It is not recommended to speculate or make guesses about anything to appear more professional. These answers could be used against you by the trucking company or driver in court.
The police officer will collect the evidence they can on the scene, including photographs of the vehicles and the area around. The officer will also take down the names and phone numbers of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. In addition, it's ideal to take a picture of the license plate on the truck and any other identifying marks which are found on the trailer or vehicle.
Rear-end collisions are one of the most frequent causes of semi-truck accidents. These types of accidents usually occur when a vehicle is following too closely. In these cases, the truck driver is likely to hit the back of the vehicle ahead of them. This can be dangerous and can cause serious or fatal injuries to the passengers of that car or truck.
Tire blowouts, shifting loads, insufficient maintenance of trucks or trailers and other issues are all factors in semi-truck accidents. A qualified personal injury attorney will understand these issues, and can assist you in proving who is liable for your damages. In the majority of cases, the driver of the truck will be liable for any injury caused by their negligence. However there are other avenues to recover compensation that may be pursued in the event that the cause of the accident was not related to like an issue with the manufacturing process of the truck or trailer.
2. Contact the Police
Notifying the police is the first step you should take after an accident with semi-trucks takes place. They will be able to take down official statements about the crash and any injuries that occurred. Additionally, they will give you an official police report to use in your claim for damages. The NYPD keeps their reports on the premises at their precincts indefinitely and, therefore, if you're close to the spot of the incident (or is able to go there easily) then you should take one. Or, you can go to the NYPD's portal online to request reports.
It is essential to speak to anyone involved in the incident, including the truck driver as well as passengers. This includes the truck drivers, passengers and anyone else who was present. It is recommended to obtain their name, number, insurance information, and company name. If you are able, also capture photos or videos of the scene. This will help you document the accident, and also provide an image recording of the moment of the collision.
In many cases, truck accidents are the result of negligence or driver error. This could result from drowsiness, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or speeding. These can be particularly risky when driving a large automobile that is heavy and large.
Conditions on the road or in the weather are another common cause of semi-accidents. Trucks can be difficult to control, so when they're driven in bad conditions, they are likely to become uncontrollable and collide with smaller vehicles.
Unprofessional maintenance of the trailer or truck is a third common reason for truck accidents. A poorly maintained truck can be dangerous since it is more likely to overturn or suffer mechanical malfunctions. This could be caused by poor weather, driver fatigue or inattention on the part the trucking company.
A truck accident lawyer will investigate the incident and determine the responsible parties and gather evidence to prove your case. They will also handle any correspondence with the trucking firm's insurance company, so you won't be concerned that they try to trick you into accepting the blame or reduce your compensation.
3. Gather Information
While you wait for the police to arrive, it is important that you take photographs of everything. Included in this are the damage to the vehicles involved, and skid marks, or any other evidence that could help your case. It's also a good idea to take pictures of the driver of the truck as well as their passengers as well as witnesses who may have seen the accident. You will not have to search for people later, and your lawyer will be capable of determining who is accountable.
If you are talking to eyewitnesses, ensure that they're willing to give a statement under an oath. This will ensure that their assertions are truthful and not influenced by other people's versions of events. Witness statements are critical for discovering the root of the accident. They are also used to prove negligence, which is one way you can receive compensation from the trucking company.
In addition to eyewitness testimony It is also important to gather as much information about the trucking business and the driver. This could include their personnel qualification and training file and a copy of their commercial driver's licence, history checks, drug screening results and safety performance records. Your attorney may subpoena this information should it be required.
Another piece of crucial evidence is the trucker's phone records. bellflower semi truck accident law firm could reveal if the driver was on the phone when the accident happened, and could be the basis for lawsuit. The phone records of the trucking company could be used to determine if they have guidelines regarding texting while driving.
It is essential to keep all medical records and bills. This will enable you to establish the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation you should receive for your financial losses. Economic damages include things like medical expenses losses of earnings and the potential for future earnings. Non-economic damages include intangible losses such as 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 behalf of the insurance company if you wish to file a claim for a semi-truck.
4. Contact a lawyer
While it's understandable to be upset after collisions with semi-truck, it's essential to remain calm. Do not leave the accident scene, whether injured or not. It's not just unprofessional, it's also illegal. You should remain at the scene until you're permitted by the authorities.
Document any damage to your car or personal property as and any injuries you have sustained. If possible, it is best to document this incident with photos or videos. However notes will suffice. This information will be useful in the future. Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information as quickly as you can. Before any cleanup is done it's a good idea to take pictures of the wreckage scene. They can be used as evidence in case you need them.
If you've suffered injuries by a semi truck accident, it's important to seek medical care immediately and get in touch with the police right away. It's also crucial to not admit guilt as this could reduce your chances of obtaining a fair settlement. If a trucking firm contacts you with a proposal to settle but you're not comfortable, you should accept the offer but politely decline, and then contact a lawyer.
You could be able to recover damages from the party at fault in a semi-truck accident. One of the most common is economic compensatory damages, which are intended to reimburse you for any monetary losses associated with the wreck. These could include hospital bills or ongoing treatment as well as any loss of income resulting from your injuries.
In addition, to the economic compensatory damages, you may be eligible for punitive damages from the responsible party. These are intended to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions and to discourage similar behavior in the future. This kind of compensation can be difficult to prove in court, but there are some factors that can help you establish the amount you should be awarded. These can include records from the trucker's driver log, electronic driving data as well as evidence of cell phone use, and reports or opinions from forensic or financial experts.