Being involved in a car accident is bad enough, but things get even more complicated when the other party is a truck, and injuries tend to be more extensive and severe. These injuries also call for lengthy recovery periods with hefty medical expenses. If you have been in an accident with a big rig, you might need a legal expert to defend your rights and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Why are truck accident investigations important?
If you and your attorney plan on filing a lawsuit against the truck driver or the trucking company, it is crucial to prove that the truck driver was negligent and that your injuries are the direct result of that negligence. Also, you should know that truck accident claims are usually more complex because there might be more than one party at fault.
This is why conducting a thorough investigation into the accident is so important. Your attorney will reach out to accident investigators so that they can start collecting all the evidence before it is destroyed or no longer exists. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the cause of the accident, discover who might be at fault, and find out whether alcohol or drugs were involved, among other pieces of evidence they may uncover.
What steps must be taken in a truck accident investigation?
With the collaboration of the trucking company, accident investigators must do the following:
Gather all evidence – This means taking photographs and videos of the scene and collecting any debris found related to the vehicles involved or other structures that might have been hit.
Go through the truck driver’s and trucking company’s records – By poring through the truck driver’s logbooks and driving record, investigators can find any potential driving violations that might have resulted in the crash.
Look for any witnesses to interview – If there were pedestrians or other drivers around as well as first responders, the investigators will interview them and get their testimonies relating to the accident.
Extract and analyze the truck’s data recorder – By listening to the truck’s black box, investigators may reach conclusions regarding the accident. The entire truck will also be examined to determine if any defect in its equipment might have contributed to the collision.
Consult with other experts – In some cases, it is also necessary to bring other experts such as healthcare providers or forensic toxicologists to shed further light on the incident.
Investigating the Driver and the Truck
It is essential in this process to get a clear idea of the driver and the state they were in when the accident took place. Investigators will focus on how many hours the driver had been on the road that day, whether tired or distracted or under the influence.
The truck investigation can help reveal any design flaws, failed truck parts, or poor truck maintenance. Also, if the hiring process was negligent or there was negligent supervision.
Lawyers at Timothy J. Ryan & Associates know how complicated truck accidents can be and how many parties can be involved. That is why they recommend you reach out to an experienced accident attorney to talk about your case and get help fighting for your rights.
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