If you or your loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident, you probably feel thankful for surviving it. Given the size, weight, and height of a truck, any accident involving it could be fatal or lead to serious injuries. As you deal with the effects of your injury, you now want to get compensation and hold the negligent parties liable for the accident.
Whether you want to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you must prove the other party acted negligently or recklessly. This makes evidence collection and preservation after an accident important. A personal injury lawyer near me can collect this evidence for you and use it to support your claim. After a truck collision, you need to get a hold of the following documents:
Official Police Report
Once the police arrive at the accident scene, they will document the investigation and create a police report. They will collect facts such as the identifies of all the drivers, the vehicles involved, and the drivers’ insurance information. Also, the police report will include information on the witnesses as well as a record of anyone who needed emergency medical attention and where they went.
Accident Report
Often, it can take a few weeks to get a copy of the official police report. But, you can get the accident report. This document will also be helpful in documenting what occurred at the accident scene. Usually, it contains the information of all drivers, witness testimony, and other information the police report includes. Also, it includes a narrative opinion from the police officer who responded to and investigated the crash.
Your Medical Records
These records will help prove that you sustained injuries due to the accident and that you must get compensation to recover from the loss your injuries have caused you. Make sure to see a doctor right after the accident because the resulting records will prove our damages if you wish to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Truck Maintenance Records
Every trucking company is expected to keep detailed records of the vehicles in their fleet and maintain them regularly. But, some companies fail to adhere to regulations, allowing a poorly maintained vehicle on the road. Issues such as engine problems, brake failures, and tire blowouts can result in accidents.
A personal injury lawyer can get the maintenance records for the truck that caused the crash. They will examine these records to prove the cause of the collision and hold the trucking company liable for the victim’s injuries based on the truck’s maintenance history.
