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How is a truck crash investigation conducted?

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If you’ve been the victim of a truck crash, you know it was one of the most terrifying experiences of your life. This is the case for most truck collision victims.

Following the incident, they must try to heal from severe injuries, extensive medical expenses, lost wages, pain and and a lengthy recovery period. As a victim, worrying about these impacts on your life can impact your recovery. If you have suffered injuries in a truck crash, it is imperative to speak to a an attorney right away.

For starters, your truck accident attorney will need to find as much evidence as possible to prove the liable party. These claims can be highly complicated, as multiple parties can be at fault. However, truck collision claims usually begin with an attorney investigating the factors leading to your injuries.

What to know about truck crash investigations

Generally, in a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove the defendant was negligent and that any injuries the plaintiff has suffered were caused by the truck company’s negligence.

When it comes to running a trucking investigation, the most common steps include:

  • Collection of evidence: this includes taking photos of the scene, injuries, and damage to reviewing medical records.
  • Examining the truck driver and the trucking company: an attorney will analyze the truck driver’s logbooks, personnel file (searching for potential safety violations), and the trucker’s driving record.
  • Interviewing witnesses: this step involves identifying and questioning the witnesses of the incident, the other drivers involved in the crash, and first responders.
  • Analyzing the truck’s data recorder: your attorney may need to subpoena these records.
  • Expert witnesses: the attorney will consult various experts, such as medical providers, crash reconstruction experts, healthcare providers, and even forensic toxicologists.
  • Truck examination: This is a review of the vehicle to check whether a piece of equipment was defective or failed.

Some common causes of truck crashes

Following the truck crash, law enforcement officials must take statements from all witnesses and investigate the truck. Then, the truck driver must respond to several questions to identify what has led to the incident. These are most commonly associated with:

  • Design flaws
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Unsafe delivery requirements
  • Negligent driving
  • Negligent hiring processes
  • Failed truck parts

Why do you need an attorney after a truck collision?

Truck drivers are highly regulated, and in addition to the Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) required to operate these large vehicles, many have additional certifications to carry specific cargo and use certain vehicles.

While these licenses and certifications are a great indication that the driver is safe and responsible, the unfortunate reality is that no amount of regulation will ever guarantee that a truck driver will not cause a crash.

Once injured in a trucking collision, your life can be turned upside down due to the devastating effects on you and your family. Truck crashes usually lead to long-term complications, and you may need to deal with medical bills, lost work time, or mental and financial stresses.

It is critical to hire a top-rated accident attorney if involved in a crash. The trucking company may have a team of lawyers, so they will do whatever it takes to minimize the trucking company’s liability.

Hiring the right legal team that will aggressively fight for your rights might change the course of your truck-related case. A CDL oriented attorney will conduct an in-depth investigation to gather the evidence and information needed to build a solid case.

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