As you may expect, a lot of evidence may be difficult to obtain, because in most cases you have to get it right from the trucking company.
A car accident can rattle your entire life. The emotional toll alone can be enough to cause some long-term effects, but in most cases, the bigger the impact, the more negative effects a victim may have to face.
In the case of trucks involved in car accidents, the magnitude of the impact is often great, and therefore the negative repercussions follow suit. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that every year trucks get involved in car accidents on U.S. roads, and often these incidents have fatalities.
It’s common for victims of truck accidents to seek compensation for their injuries and property damage. However, car accident claims pose the burden of proof on you, which means you’ll have to gather the evidence that shows you are entitled to compensation. In the case of truck accidents, obtaining evidence may be a lot more difficult.
Why Is It More Difficult?
In regular car accidents, the evidence you need in a typical car accident claim can be everything from police reports to footage of the crash, medical bills and prescriptions, witness testimony, and other information on the accident and its effects. But in the case of truck accidents, there’s an additional layer of evidence you have to consider.
A lot of the times, a potentially liable party is the trucking company that employs the driver, not just the individual behind the wheel. As a result, you may need to acquire any of the following evidence:
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection history
- Data from the truck’s GPS system
- Driver logs
- Whether the company screen the driver before hiring them
- If the company offered the driver sufficient training
- Any prior accidents involving either the company or the driver, etc.
Accidents involving trucks often require this type of evidence to win a claim, because it can help you build a better case against the at-fault party. For instance, if the accident was caused by a vehicle malfunction, you could prove the company is liable if you find they skipped a mandatory inspection.
As you may expect, a lot of this evidence is difficult to obtain, because in most cases you have to get it right from the trucking company. They may be reluctant to show you all their documents, and their lawyers will most likely try to postpone handing them in as much as they can.
Speak With an Attorney ASAP
If you’ve been in an accident with a truck, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer and discuss your case with them. It’s the best way to ensure you get the necessary evidence in due time, and they can help negotiate a better settlement for you, whether the at-fault party is the driver or the trucking company. For FREE legal advice 24/7, give us a call at (314) 361-4242.