How to Collect Evidence After a Truck Accident

truck accident collision scene at the centre of the road that blocked a major part of the road.

Key Highlights:

Here’s a step by step process on how collect evidence after a truck accident:

Call Emergency Services: Ensure that the police and medical professionals are informed. A police report is crucial evidence.
Take Photographs: Capture images of the accident scene, vehicle damage, license plates, injuries, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs.
Gather Witness Information: Obtain names and contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
Document Your Injuries: Keep a record of all visible injuries through photographs and descriptions, along with medical evaluations.
Keep Track of Medical Records: Collect all medical documents, treatment records, and bills related to your injuries.
Preserve Evidence from Vehicles: If possible, avoid moving the vehicles until the authorities arrive. If they must be moved, document their positions first.
Obtain Dashcam Footage: If available, secure any dashcam video from vehicles in the vicinity during the accident.
Review Traffic Cameras: Check if there are traffic cameras in the area that may have captured the incident.
Collect Any Digital Evidence: Look for information from phones or GPS devices that may have relevant data or location tracking.
Consult with an Attorney: Engage a truck accident lawyer who can help guide you in gathering and preserving evidence effectively.

Getting into a truck accident can be really tough. You might have injuries, feel upset, and face big medical bills. To get the compensation you deserve, it’s important to collect good evidence. This evidence will support your claim and help prove what happened.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about how to collect evidence after a truck accident occurrence.

Contact our truck accident lawyer to help you collect this evidence and build a strong case.

Types of Evidence to Collect

After a truck accident, you need to show that someone else was at fault to get the compensation you deserve. Different parties might be responsible, such as:

The trucking company
The loading company
The parts manufacturer

They might be at fault if they didn’t maintain the truck, overloaded it, or if the driver was distracted while driving.

Here are some types of evidence to collect after a truck accident:

Police Report: This document includes details about the accident.
Driver’s Logbooks: These show how long the driver was on the road and how far they traveled.
Driver’s Phone Records: If you think the driver was texting or using their phone during the accident, these records can help prove it.
Driver’s Work History and Records: This includes their training and driving history.
Truck Inspection Reports: These show if the truck was in good condition.
Dispatch Instructions: These are the orders given to the driver.
Weigh Tickets: These show if the truck was overloaded.
Maintenance Records: These show if the truck was properly maintained.
Drug and Alcohol Test Results: These are important to check if the driver was under the influence.

Steps to Take to Collect Evidence After a Truck Accident

Getting into a truck accident can be scary and stressful. To help you get the compensation you deserve, it’s important to collect strong evidence. Here’s how to collect evidence after a truck accident:

Step 1: Secure the Accident Scene:

Right after the accident, move to a safe place if you can. Turn on your hazard lights and use warning signs or flares to keep other drivers aware. This helps keep everyone safe and protects important evidence.

Step 2: Document the Scene:

Once you’re safe, take photos or videos of everything you see. Capture the damage to vehicles, any skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs. These images are key to showing what happened and the damage done.

Step 3: Gather Witness Statements:

Talk to people who saw the accident and get their contact information. Ask them to share what they saw and heard. Their statements can help prove what happened and who is at fault.

Step 4: Obtain Police Reports:

Ask the police for a copy of the accident report. This report includes details like the officer’s observations and any traffic violations. It’s an important document that can support your claim.

Step 5: Preserve Medical Records:

See a doctor right away, even if you think you’re okay. Keep all medical records, including treatments and expenses. These records show how the accident affected your health and help with your compensation claim.

Our experienced truck accident attorney can help speed up the process by gathering evidence efficiently, handling insurance companies, and guiding you through each step. This ensures everything is done correctly and helps you get the compensation you deserve faster.

Why Collecting Enough Evidence is Key in Truck Accident Claims

When you’re trying to get money after a truck accident, the amount you receive can be reduced based on how much fault you or the other party had. Sometimes, both sides might be partly responsible for the crash.

If it’s not clear who caused the accident, you’ll need strong evidence to show that the other party is mostly at fault and that you aren’t. The more evidence you have, the better.

Here’s some evidence you and your lawyer might gather:

Witness Reports: Statements from people who saw the accident.
Traffic Camera Footage: Videos from nearby cameras that recorded the accident.
Photos of the Scene: Pictures showing what happened and how it looked.
Expert Witness Reports: Opinions from experts like accident reconstruction specialists who can explain what happened.

Why Keeping Evidence Safe is Crucial

Trucking companies don’t have to keep records forever. For example, they only need to keep logbooks for six months.

To make sure important evidence isn’t thrown away, you need your lawyer to send a special letter called a “letter of spoliation.” This letter tells the trucking company to keep all evidence related to your case safe and not get rid of it.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

After a truck accident, gathering evidence is crucial for a strong personal injury claim. Hiring an experienced lawyer like those at Wetherington Law Firm can make a big difference. Our team knows how to handle truck accident cases and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win your case. Contact us today or call us at (404) 888-4444 for a free consultation, and let us help you through this process.

Conclusion

After a truck accident, collecting evidence is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve. It’s important to secure the accident scene, document everything, gather witness statements, obtain police reports, and preserve medical records. Each piece of evidence helps build a strong case and shows who is at fault.

At Wetherington Law Firm, we understand how to handle truck accident cases and will help you gather all the necessary evidence quickly and effectively. Our experienced lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay us if we win your case. Call us today at (404) 888-4444 for a free consultation. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve and guide you through every step of the process.