The Most Hilarious Complaints We've Received About Semi Truck Case
How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal Collisions involving semi trucks are commonplace on America's highways. Due to their size truck accidents can cause serious injuries. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an experienced attorney will help you obtain the compensation you're due. Find out about the various types of truck accidents and how they could impact your case. 1. Investigate the cause of the accident. In any accident, evidence needs to be preserved and collected immediately. This is especially crucial when it comes to semi-trucks. There are many sources of information, such as the black-box data of the truck driver's cell phone records. It is also possible for other devices to be used to provide evidence, like crash data recorders or a truck's “nanny camera.” All of this data can be used to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. In any semi-truck accident it is imperative to involve the police as quickly as you can. This will ensure an accurate and complete report is filed on the incident. It is difficult to establish the truth and determine who is responsible for the crash without a thorough and proper police investigation. It is recommended that you only answer questions as much as feels comfortable once the police arrive. Do not think about or speculate to attempt to improve your image. These kinds of answers can later be used by the truck driver, the trucking company or their insurance companies to sue you in court. The police officer will collect various evidence from the scene, such as photographs of the vehicles as well as the area around. The police officer will record the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. It is also recommended to take pictures of the license plate of the truck and any other identifying marks that are visible on the vehicle or trailer. One of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents is rear-end collisions. These accidents typically occur when a vehicle is following too closely. In these instances, the truck driver is most likely to slam into the back of the vehicle ahead of them. This can be dangerous and could cause fatal or serious injuries to the passengers of that vehicle or truck. Tire blowouts, shifting loads, poor maintenance of trailers or trucks, and others are also factors in semi-truck accidents. A qualified personal injury attorney will be able to address these issues and can help you determine who is responsible for your damages. In most cases, the driver of the truck will be liable for any accident that is the result of their negligence. There are other options to seek compensation if another factor caused the accident for example, an error in manufacturing on the truck or trailer. 2. Contact the Police Contacting the police is the first step to take when an accident with semi-trucks happens. They will come and make official statements about the accident, including any injuries that occurred. You will also receive a formal police report that you can use to back your claim for damages. The NYPD maintains reports on-site at their precincts over 30 days, so if the accident happened close to the area where you live (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 portal online to request reports. It is essential to speak to anyone involved in the incident including the truck driver as well as passengers. This includes the truck driver, the passengers, and any other witnesses. Be sure to collect their names, contact numbers and insurance policy information and the name of the company they work for. If you are able, also capture photos or videos of the scene. This will help you document the accident and can also give a visual record of the moment of impact, which can be useful in the future. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by driver carelessness or a mishap. This could include drowsiness or distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding. These are all risky when driving heavy, big vehicles. Another reason for semi-accidents is poor road or weather conditions. Trucks are difficult to maneuver and can easily become uncontrollable in bad conditions. The improper maintenance of the truck or its trailer is the third most common reason for truck accidents. Poorly maintained trucks are more likely to tip over or have mechanical problems. This could be due to bad weather, driver fatigue or inattention on the part the trucking company. A reputable truck accident attorney will investigate the crash and determine the responsible parties, and gather evidence to prove your case. They will also handle any communication with the insurance company of the trucking company's company, so you won't need to worry about them trying to try to trick you into assuming blame or decreasing your compensation. 3. Gather Information While you wait for the police to arrive, it is important that you take photographs of everything. This includes the damage to all vehicles involved, skid marks and anything else that may help your case. indianapolis semi truck accident attorney to capture the driver of the truck as well as their passengers and any witnesses that may have witnessed the crash. This will save you from needing to locate people later, and it will help your lawyer determine who is accountable for the accident. If you are talking to eyewitnesses, be sure that they are prepared to be under oath. This will help ensure that their assertions are truthful and not influenced by other people's versions of the events. Witness statements are crucial for determining the reason for the accident. They are also used to prove negligence which is one of the ways you can claim compensation from the trucking company. It is important to collect all the information you can about the trucking company, the driver, and their background. This can include their personnel qualifications and training files, a copy of their commercial driver's license, a history of checks, drug screening results, and safety performance records. This can be subpoenaed by your attorney if needed. The trucker's telephone records are another crucial piece of evidence. This can reveal if the driver was on the phone at the time the accident happened and could provide the basis for an action. The company's phone records can also be used to determine what type of policies they have in place with regard to texting while driving. In the end, it is crucial to gather medical records and bills. This will allow you to prove the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation that you must receive for your monetary losses. Economic damages can include medical expenses loss of earnings, as well as future earning potential. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering, mental distress, and loss of consortium. If you want to file a claim for a semi-truck accident an experienced attorney can help you put all this information together and bargain with the insurance company on your behalf. 4. Contact a lawyer While it's normal to be upset after collisions with semi-truck, it's crucial to remain calm. Don't leave the crash site, regardless of whether you're injured or not. This is not only not professional, but it's also illegal. Instead, stay at the location until the police allow you to leave. Document any damage that has occurred to your vehicle or personal property as and any injuries you've suffered. If possible, it is best to document this with images or video. However notes are also sufficient. This information could prove useful in the future. Speak to witnesses and obtain their contact information as quickly as you can. Prior to any cleanup it's a good idea to take photos of the scene of the crash. These could be used as evidence in the event that you need them. If you've been injured in a semi-truck accident It is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible and call the police. It is also important not to acknowledge fault, as this will hinder your chances of obtaining a fair settlement for your claim. If the trucking company contacts you with an offer to settle and you're not sure how to respond, it's best to accept the offer but politely decline, and then contact a lawyer. You could be able to recover damages from the person at fault in a semi-truck collision. The most basic is economic compensatory damages which are designed to compensate you for any losses in money that result from the wreck. This can include emergency hospital visits, room charges continuing treatments, and any loss of income as a result of the injuries you suffered. In addition to economic compensatory damages, you may be able to receive punitive damages from the party at fault. They are designed to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions and discourage similar behaviour in the future. This type of compensation could be difficult to prove in court, however there are certain elements that can help you establish an appropriate amount. This could include evidence from the trucker's driver's log and electronic data from the driver's log and evidence of mobile phone usage, reports or opinions of forensic or financial experts.