Key Pieces of Evidence Needed In a Truck Accident Claim
After you’ve suffered through a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, your first thought probably isn’t preserving evidence that can help prove your 
liability claim. In this article, we will be reviewing the Key Pieces of Evidence Needed In a Truck Accident Claim.
But the problem is that in many instances the insurance company that provides coverage for the carrier that owns the truck that hit you is going to do everything it can to discredit your actions during the accident so that it can escape paying for your pain and suffering and lost wages.
That’s why it’s important to understand the essential pieces of evidence you need to help strengthen your claim.
Important Evidence Needed In Truck Accident Cases
After an accident, some of the most important evidence you need to obtain from the truck that was involved include:
- Logbook – All commercial truck drivers must keep a logbook that tracks their driving hours and rest periods. These logbooks are now electronic, which makes it far more difficult for drivers to falsify their driving time. If fatigue is the cause of the accident, the logbook can be helpful in proving whether a driver violated rest regulations.
- Truck Inspection Report – The law requires carriers to perform safety inspections and provide a record of the results. This is valuable evidence if the accident was caused by a mechanical malfunction.
- Driver Drug and Alcohol Test – Commercial drivers must submit to drug and alcohol tests to keep their commercial licenses.A driver’s most recent report can provide evidence if the impairment is suspected as a contributing factor to the accident.
- Event Data Recorders (EDRs) – An EDR is similar to the black box in an airplane. It records critical information such as speed, braking, steering wheel angle and other behaviors that a driver took before and during an accident. Many truck carriers have installed EDRs as a means of monitoring driver behavior, and in cases in which speed or driver error was the cause of the accident, an EDR can provide strong evidence to prove liability.
Other important pieces of evidence are the official police report, which would include details provided by witnesses, and the testimony of an accident reconstruction specialist.
The Importance of a Truck Accident Attorney
The truth is that even with strong evidence, you will still need an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled truck accident cases in the past. That’s because the commercial truck insurance providers who cover these big rigs are not that interested in paying for your injuries or compensating you for your pain and suffering. But that’s not going to be an issue if you place your trust in the team at Hilton & Somer, LLC. For more than 40 years, we have built a reputation as one of the most outstanding personal injury lawyers in the D.C, tri-state area. Please call us today at (703) 560-0700 for a free evaluation of your case.
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