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In the aftermath of a truck accident, the process of uncovering the truth and determining liability is critical for victims seeking justice and compensation. Truck accident investigations are complex undertakings that require meticulous attention to detail and expertise in navigating the unique challenges posed by commercial trucking operations.
A truck accident lawyer typically has a different skillset and experience than other types of personal injury lawyers, as crashes involving commercial vehicles can be much more complex than other types of traffic accidents. Our friends from Council & Associates, LLC are delving a little deeper into the steps of an investigation after a truck accident.
Gathering Evidence
The foundation of any truck accident investigation is the collection of evidence from the accident scene. This may include photographs of the vehicles involved, skid marks on the road, debris scattered at the scene, and any visible damage to property or infrastructure. Additionally, evidence such as surveillance footage from nearby cameras or dashcams from other vehicles can provide valuable insights into the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
Interviewing Witnesses
Eyewitness testimony can provide crucial information about the circumstances surrounding a truck accident. Investigators will conduct interviews with witnesses who observed the accident or arrived at the scene shortly afterward. Witness statements can help corroborate or refute the accounts of the parties involved and provide valuable context for understanding how the accident occurred. Your lawyer has the power to subpoena witnesses, too, such as the other driver’s passengers, to get at the truth.
Obtaining Trucking Company Records
Trucking companies are required to maintain detailed records of their operations, including driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, inspection reports, and dispatch records. These records can offer valuable insights into the truck driver’s actions leading up to the accident, as well as the maintenance history of the vehicle involved. Obtaining and analyzing these records is a critical aspect of any truck accident investigation.
Analyzing Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data
Many commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track the driver’s hours of service and monitor their compliance with federal regulations – like an airplane’s black box. ELD data can provide valuable information about the driver’s activities in the hours and days leading up to the accident, including their driving hours, rest breaks, and adherence to mandated rest periods. Analyzing ELD data can help investigators determine whether driver fatigue or violations of hours-of-service rules contributed to the accident.
Expert Analysis And Reconstruction
In some cases, truck accident investigations may require the expertise of accident reconstruction specialists. These experts use advanced techniques and computer simulations to recreate the events leading up to the accident and determine factors such as vehicle speeds, trajectories, and points of impact. Their analysis can provide critical insights into the cause of the accident and help establish liability.
Truck accident investigations are complex undertakings that require a thorough and methodical approach to uncovering the truth. By gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, obtaining trucking company records, analyzing ELD data, and leveraging expert analysis and reconstruction, investigators can piece together the puzzle of how and why the accident occurred.