The No. 1 Question Everyone Working In Semi Truck Case Should Be Able To Answer
How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal Accidents involving semi trucks are commonplace on America's highways. Because of their size, truck accidents can result in serious injuries. If you have suffered injuries due to a collision with trucks, an experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation you're due. Learn about the various types of truck accidents that occur and how they can impact your case. 1. Investigate the cause of the accident. The evidence must be collected as soon as it is available after an accident. This is particularly crucial in cases involving semi-trucks. This is due to the fact that there are many more potential sources of evidence and information including the black box of the truck driver's data and phone records. Other technological devices like crash recorders, or the “nanny camera” on a truck can also be used to provide evidence. In any semi-truck collision it is essential to involve the police as soon as you can. This will ensure that a full and accurate report is filed on the incident. Without a proper and thorough police investigation, it can be very difficult to prove what really happened and who was the culprit in the crash. If flower mound semi truck accident attorney show up at your home, you should answer any questions in the amount you feel comfortable. It is not advisable to think about or speculate to try to improve your image. These types of answers may later be used by the truck driver, trucking company, or their insurance companies to sue you in court. The police officer will gather a variety of evidence on the scene, including photographs of the vehicles and the surrounding area. The police officer will record the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. It is also a good idea for you to snap a picture of the truck's number plate and any other identifying marks on the vehicle or the trailer. One of the most frequent causes of semi-truck accidents is rear-end collisions. These typically occur when a car or truck is following too closely. In these instances the driver of the truck may hit the rear of the vehicle or truck in the direction of him, causing serious or fatal injuries. Tire blowouts, shifting loads, insufficient maintenance of trucks or trailers as well as other factors are reasons for semi-truck accidents. A personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable of these issues can help you prove your liability for your losses. In the majority of instances, a truck driver is responsible for any incident that was caused due to their negligence. However there are other avenues to compensation that could be pursued in the event that the cause of the accident was something else, such as an issue with the manufacturing process of the trailer or truck. 2. Contact the Police If an accident involving a semi-truck happens, the first thing you need to make is to contact the police. They will arrive at the scene and take official statements on what transpired, including any injuries. They will also provide you with a formal police report that you can use in your claim for damages. The NYPD keep their reports on site at their precincts indefinitely, so if you are close to the spot of the accident (or can visit there easily) then you should take one. Or, you can go to the NYPD's website to request an investigation. It's important that you speak to all those involved in the accident, including the truck driver as well as passengers. This includes the truck's drivers, passengers, and anyone else who was there. Try to find their names, phone numbers and insurance policy information and the name of the company they work for. If you can, also capture photos or videos of the scene. This will help you to document the accident, and will also give a visual recording of the moment of impact. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by driver negligence or error. This could include drowsiness or distraction, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or speeding. These types of factors are particularly dangerous when driving heavy, big vehicles. Another common cause of semi-accidents is poor road or weather conditions. Trucks can be difficult to maneuver and could easily become uncontrollable in bad weather conditions. Improper maintenance of the truck or its trailer is the third major reason for truck accidents. Trucks that are not maintained properly are more likely to rollover or have mechanical issues. This could be due to poor weather, driver fatigue or inattention on the part the trucking company. A reputable truck accident lawyer will investigate the crash, determine all liable parties and gather evidence to support your case. They will also handle all communications with trucking company's insurance company so you don't have to be concerned about them trying to get you to admit to the responsibility or reducing the amount of compensation you deserve. 3. Gather Information While you are waiting for the police to arrive, it's crucial to take pictures of everything. Included in this are damage to any vehicles involved and skid marks or any other thing which could aid in your case. You should also take pictures of the passengers and driver of the truck, and any witnesses who may have witnessed the accident. It will be less time-consuming to find them later and your lawyer will be capable of determining who is accountable. Make sure to inquire with eyewitnesses whether they will be willing to testify under the oath. This will ensure that their assertions are truthful and are not influence by other people's perceptions of events. Witness statements can be vital in determining what caused an accident. They can also be used to establish the negligence of the trucking firm. It is important to gather as much information about the trucking company, the driver and their background. This could include an image of the driver's commercial driver's permit along with their qualification for employment and their training file. It could also include a history check, results of a drug screening and safety performance records. This can be subpoenaed by your attorney should it be required. The trucker's phone logs are another crucial piece of evidence. This could reveal if the driver was on the phone when the accident took place and could provide the basis for a lawsuit. The phone records of the trucking company could be used to determine if they have any guidelines regarding texting while driving. It is also essential to gather medical records and bills. This will help you establish the severity of the injury and the amount you should be paid for your financial loss. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost earnings and future earning potential. Non-economic damages include intangible losses like pain and suffering mental distress, and loss of consortium. If you're interested in filing a claim for a semi-truck accident An experienced attorney will be able to help you put all the information you need and bargain with the insurance company on behalf of you. 4. Contact a Lawyer It's normal to feel angry after a collision involving semi-trucks however, it's important to remain calm. If you're injured or even in the event that you're not, do not leave the scene of the accident. This is not only unprofessional, but also illegal. Instead, stay at the location until the police allow you to leave. Once at the scene, note any damage that has occurred to your vehicle or personal property and any injuries you sustained. If possible, it's best to document this with photographs or video. However notes will suffice. It is also important to note down the names of the driver and company they work for as this information could be useful later on in your case. Also, speak to witnesses you know and get their contact details as soon as possible. When you're cleaning up it's a good idea to take photographs of the wreckage scene. These could be used as evidence in case you need them. If you have been injured in a semi-truck collision it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately and contact the police. It is also important not to admit guilt, since this could impede your chances of getting an adequate settlement for your claim. If the trucking company contacts you and offers to settle to settle your claim, you must decline the offer and get in touch with an attorney. There are various kinds of damages that you might be able to claim from the responsible party in a semi-truck accident. The most common is compensatory damage, which is meant to reimburse any monetary loss you might have suffered in the aftermath of the accident. This can include emergency room visits, hospital charges continuing treatments, and any loss of income resulting from the injuries you sustained. You could also be entitled to punitive damages in addition to the economic damages. These are meant to punish the defendant for their negligent actions and prevent similar actions in the future. It can be challenging to prove this kind of compensation in court, but certain factors can help you determine the proper amount. These include the logs of the trucker as well as electronic data from the driver's seat and evidence of the use of a cell phone as well as reports or opinions by financial or forensic experts.