Investigating Truck Accidents: The Importance of Prompt Action

Accidents involving commercial trucks, semi-trucks, or tractor-trailers often result in serious, life-altering injuries or fatalities. As evidence does not last forever, it is essential to begin your truck accident investigation as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.

With the help of an experienced truck accident attorney, you can ensure all important evidence has been gathered to show who was at fault for the accident. Our team of compassionate truck accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, have extensive experience navigating the complexities of truck accident litigation, ensuring all evidence has been gathered, and working diligently to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.

The Power of Promptly Beginning an Investigation

Identifying the negligent party forms the backbone of the claim. However, it’s the meticulous gathering of evidence that bolsters your claims and carries considerable weight in court. The importance of evidentiary support, such as eyewitness testimonies, driver logs, and vehicle data, cannot be overstated. It can provide a fresh perspective, highlighting crucial details that might have been previously overlooked. As evidence can degrade with time and make it difficult to determine who caused the collision, you should consider gathering the following evidence as soon as possible.

Black Box Data

Truck data recorders, also known as black boxes, can provide evidence in commercial trucking cases. A black box records the force of impact, speed, time, and date of the accident, as well as the speed of any other vehicles involved.

Approximately one month after the black box data is created, it can become overwritten, and the trucking company may also try and delete this information to protect itself from liability. Preserving this evidence and preventing a trucking company from discarding it is best accomplished through prompt investigation of the accident.

The Truck

If the other party’s truck was poorly maintained or even poorly designed, the truck may be crucial evidence. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can determine whether there was an issue with the truck before the trucking company attempts to repair or discard the vehicle.

The Truck Driver

Hiring an expert who can provide some insight into the truck driver’s physical and mental condition at the time of the accident may be important to your lawyer and any expert who you can immediately hire to provide insight into the truck driver’s physical and mental condition at the time of the accident.

The Accident Report

The accident report can provide answers to some important questions about your collision, including what time and when it occurred. The investigating police officer will often include information about the accident, like whether the truck driver was arrested for drunk driving. Claims like these can bolster your case, and getting a copy of the accident report is important since the state only keeps these reports for a limited time.

Risks of Not Conducting Your Own Investigation

Several unique factors make investigating truck accidents more complex and time-consuming compared to normal car accidents. For this reason, promptly beginning a truck accident investigation by gathering and preserving all necessary evidence to establish liability is essential to support a claim for compensation. Many trucking companies conduct thorough investigations of the accident and tend to come to their own conclusions.

If you decide not to hire help for your own professional investigation, you risk losing valuable evidence, being blamed for an accident that was not your fault, and missing out on the compensation you deserve. You can avoid these issues and take the stress out of your accident case by working with an attorney who can determine what evidence you need and ensure it is gathered promptly.

How Bamieh & De Smeth Can Help

Seeking an immediate consultation with a seasoned truck accident attorney can significantly enhance your chances of a successful outcome. At The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, our exceptional team of car accident lawyers is committed to giving insightful advice to our clients and guiding them through every step of the legal process. Reach out today online or by calling 805-643-5555 to set up your free initial case review.