If you get injured or a loved one dies in a truck accident in Connecticut, taking legal action can give you a sense of justice and closure. Unfortunately, establishing liability can be challenging when going up against a trucking company and its powerful legal team. Knowing what types of evidence to collect can help you build the strongest claim possible.
Accident Scene Evidence
Commercial truck accidents involve various types of evidence that may not exist in standard motor vehicle accident cases. However, a victim should also gather the traditional types of evidence that are typically available in any car accident case, such as:
Photographs of the accident scene
A description of all vehicles involved
The other driver’s information
A police accident report
Surveillance or traffic videos of the crash
Eyewitness statements
If you cannot collect evidence yourself at the scene of a truck accident, have a trusted friend or family member do so for you. Contacting the police can also help you document the details of the crash, including information about the truck driver and trucking company.
Evidence Related to the Truck Driver
Truck drivers must hold valid commercial driver’s licenses and adhere to a variety of federal trucking laws to operate trucks safely. Evidence and information regarding the driver’s qualifications, driving history, medical records, daily logs and cell phone records could help establish a negligence claim against the trucker. If the truck driver has a history of being involved in truck accidents, for example, this can serve as proof against the driver.
The Truck’s Black Box
A black box is a type of event data recorder that is affixed to most big rigs. It records information about the truck’s operation that can be critical in deciphering the events leading up to an accident, including the truck’s speed, braking efficiency, engine data and airbag deployment. This data can be used and analyzed to determine the cause of the crash.
Truck and Equipment Inspection Reports
Trucking companies must obey federal rules and regulations that are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes laws regarding truck maintenance and performance requirements. Obtaining the trucking company’s history of equipment inspections, repairs and maintenance could serve as evidence if the truck experienced an equipment breakdown that caused the crash, such as brake failure or a tire blowout.
Trucking Company Compliance History
Other documents obtained from the trucking company may also provide evidence showing that the carrier was in violation of one or more federal safety regulations. Examples of violations that could serve as evidence include broken cargo securement rules, hazardous material standards, truck driver training and hiring practices, fleet maintenance requirements, and hours-of-service regulations.
Loss Documentation
In addition to establishing fault and liability during a truck accident claim, the victim will also need to provide proof of his or her losses. This may include the victim’s medical records, injury documentation, photographs, property repair estimates, wage and employment documentation, expert testimony, and an accident reconstruction report.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Wallingford Can Help
If you get involved in a truck accident in Wallingford, an attorney who specializes in this type of case can help you build a strong claim to damages. A law firm can send investigators to the scene of the truck accident, preserve and collect evidence, gather records and documentation from the trucking company, and hire qualified experts to strengthen your case.
For more information about how an attorney can help you collect evidence for a truck accident case, contact Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., to schedule a free consultation
