14 Businesses Doing A Great Job At Semi Truck Case
How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal On the roads of America, collisions with semi trucks are not common. Because of their intimidating size, the injuries suffered when a collision occurs with a truck may be serious. If you've suffered an injury due to a collision with the truck, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you're due. Learn about the kinds of truck accidents and how they could affect your case. 1. Investigate greensboro semi truck accident lawsuit must be gathered immediately after an accident. This is especially true in cases involving semi trucks. There are a variety of sources of information, including the black-box data of the truck driver and his cell phone records. Other devices that are technological like crash recorders or the “nanny camera” on a truck could also be used as evidence. It is also important to involve the police as soon as possible in any semi truck crash. This will ensure an accurate and complete report is submitted of the incident. If there isn't a thorough and complete police investigation, it can be extremely difficult to prove the truth about what happened and who was responsible in the crash. It is best to answer questions in a way that feels comfortable once the police arrive. It is not recommended to speculate or make up your mind about any information in order to impress the police. These kinds of answers can later be used by the truck driver, trucking company, or their insurance companies against you in court. The officer from the police department will gather the evidence they can on the scene, such as photographs of the vehicles and the area around. They will also note down the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who might have witnessed the accident. Additionally, it is an excellent idea to take photos of the truck's license plate and any other identifying marks that are on the vehicle or trailer. Rear-end collisions are one of the most frequent causes for semi-truck accidents. These accidents usually occur when a vehicle follows too closely. In these cases the truck driver is most likely to hit the back of the vehicle in front of them, and often will cause serious or fatal injuries to the passengers of the car or truck. Tire blowouts, shifting of loads, improper maintenance of trucks or trailers as well as other factors are reasons for semi-truck accidents. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand these issues and can help you prove who is liable for your damages. In the majority of instances, the driver of the truck is responsible for any accidents caused by their negligence. However, there are other routes to redress that can be pursued if the source of the accident was something else, such as an issue with the manufacturing process of the truck or trailer. 2. Contact the Police When an accident involving semi-trucks happens the first thing to do is contact the police. They will attend and record official statements about the accident, including any injuries that were sustained. You will also receive a formal police report that can be used to prove your claim for damages. The NYPD keeps reports on the premises in their precincts for a period of 30 days, so if the accident was close to your home (or in a location that you are able to visit in person) it is recommended that you go there and pick up the report. You can also use the NYPD's online portal to make a request for reports. Besides speaking to the police, it's also important to gather information from everyone involved in the accident. This includes the truck driver, passengers, and any other witnesses. Make sure you know their names, telephone numbers and insurance policy information and the name of the company they work for. If you are able, also take pictures or videos of the scene. This will help record the accident and will also give an image of the moment of impact. Most accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error or a mishap. This can be due to drowsiness, distraction, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or speeding. These are all factors that can be dangerous when driving a large, heavy vehicle. Another cause of semi-accidents is bad roads or conditions. Trucks are difficult to maneuver and may quickly become uncontrollable in poor conditions. Improper maintenance of the truck or its trailer is the third major reason for truck accidents. A truck that isn't maintained well could be dangerous as it is more likely to overturn or have mechanical failures. This could be due to bad weather, driver fatigue or carelessness on the part the trucking company. A reputable truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident and identify all parties at fault and gather evidence to support your case. They will also handle all communications with the insurance company for the trucking company, so you do not have to worry about them trying to convince you to admit fault or reducing the amount of compensation you're entitled to. 3. Gather Information While you are waiting for the police to arrive, it's essential to take photos of everything. This includes the damaged vehicles involved, skid marks, and anything else that may help your case. It is also important to take pictures of the passengers and driver of the truck, and witnesses who may have witnessed the crash. This will prevent you from needing to locate people later, and it will aid your lawyer in determining who's responsible for the accident. When speaking to any witnesses, make sure that they are willing to give a statement under an oath. This will ensure that their assertions are truthful and not influence by other people's perceptions of events. Witness statements can be crucial in determining the reason for an accident. They can be used to demonstrate the negligence of the trucking company. In addition to eyewitness testimony In addition to eyewitness statements, it is essential to gather as much detail on the trucking company and the driver. This could include a copy of the commercial driver's licence of the driver, their personnel qualification and their training file. It can also include a past check, drug screening results and safety performance records. The information could be requested by your attorney if needed. Another vital piece of evidence is the trucker's telephone records. This will reveal if the driver was on the phone at the time the accident occurred, and could be the basis for a lawsuit. The phone records of the trucking company can also be used to determine what type of policies they have in place regarding texting while driving. It is also essential to gather medical records and bills. This will enable you to establish the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation you'll receive for your financial losses. Economic damages cover things like medical expenses loss of earnings, and future earning potential. Non-economic damages are those that result from 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 your behalf with the insurance company should you decide to file a claim for an accident for a semi-truck. 4. Contact a Lawyer It's normal to feel angry following a collision with semi-trucks however, it's important to remain calm. If you're injured or even if you're not leave the scene of the collision. It's not just unprofessional, but it's also unlawful. Instead, stay at the location until the police allow you to leave. Once at the scene, note any damage to your vehicle or personal property and any injuries you may have sustained. It is recommended to do this through video/pictures if possible but notes are fine too. This information can prove useful in the future. In addition, speak with any witnesses you have and obtain their contact details whenever you can. Before you do any cleanup it's a good idea to capture photos of the crash site. These could be used as evidence in case you need them. If you have been injured in a semi-truck collision, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible and contact the police. It's also essential not to acknowledge fault, since this could impede your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your claim. If the trucking firm contacts you and offers a settlement to settle your claim, you must decline the offer and seek out an attorney. You may be eligible to claim damages from the party at fault in a semi truck accident. The most basic of these is economic compensatory damages, which are meant to reimburse you for any financial losses that result from the wreck. This can include emergency hospital visits, medical bills ongoing treatments, as well as 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 and discourage similar behaviour in future. It isn't easy to prove this kind of compensation in court, however certain elements can help you determine the right amount. These include the records from the driver log of the trucker, electronic driving data and evidence of mobile phone usage, and reports or opinions from financial or forensic experts.