It is important to get to work right away after a truck accident. If you’ve been hit by a commercial truck or 18 wheeler, the trucking company is already working on their defense. The trucking company likely has a team of experts working for them. You need the same thing. Start your investigation early after an 18 wheeler accident.
Evidence is key to winning an 18 wheeler case. Beginning to investigate the cause of the accident right after accident helps gather the evidence you need. Contact an 18 wheeler accident attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been hurt in a truck accident.
18 Wheeler Cases Need Early Collection of Evidence
Trucking companies can get rid of evidence. An experienced trucking attorney should send notice to the company to keep evidence. After this notice is received, the trucking company must hold on to evidence such as the electronic control module (ECM). The ECM has information such as idle time and speed.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), track all of the 18 wheeler’s movements. GPS data can be used to check the accuracy of what the driver is writing down in their log. Qualcomm is an in-cab messaging system used by many trucking companies. Qualcomm saves information about where the truck has been. ECM, GPS, and Qualcomm produce electronic data that can be erased. An attorney can work to preserve this information for you. All of this electronic data can be used to show that the driver isn’t sleeping when he should be. It can also tell us if the driver likes to speed.
Having an investigator and experts working to collect evidence from the start helps your case. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can work with experts to pull together the evidence that you need. Don’t wait until this information has been destroyed.
Accident Reconstruction
An expert can do an accident reconstruction. The reconstruction can help us figure out what happened. An expert can use witness statements, measurements taken at the scene, and inspections to put together a reconstruction of the wreck.
Witness statements are extremely valuable in reconstructing the events of an accident. If you can, gather information from witnesses at the scene. This will help the investigation later. Witnesses provide useful information about what happened. Those statements can be checked against the physical evidence for accuracy.
The scene is also important. An expert can inspect the road surface for substances that may affect the wreck. They can measure skid marks or note the absence of skid marks. They can make note of all road signs and the grade of the road in question. They can also use the inspection of the vehicles to help recreate the wreck. Gathering this evidence and reconstructing the wreck may help the jury.
Driver and Company Records as Evidence
The driver’s records should be reviewed. An unsafe driving record or a history of speeding should be considered as evidence. Also, the employer’s records should be examined. Did the employer provide sufficient training? Did this driver receive any training? Employers are required to perform drug screening. Reviewing the employer’s records will show if that was done for this driver.
The company’s safety records should also be reviewed as possible evidence. The Department of Transportation maintains the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System (SAFER). SAFER provides safety data on commercial trucking companies. SAFER includes crash information, safety ratings, and their safety record. SAFER can provide valuable information, in particular with a company with a history of unsafe practices.
Contact an 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney for Help Today to Start Your Investigation Early After an 18 Wheeler Accident
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an 18 wheeler accident, an attorney can help. Getting a lawyer sooner, rather than later, can make your case stronger. Start your investigation early after an 18 wheeler accident. Contact Chelsie King Garza today to discuss your rights.
