Commercial truck accidents can cause catastrophic physical and financial damage. In the aftermath of these devastating collisions, it can be challenging for accident victims to recover the compensation they deserve. Trucking companies and insurers want to protect their bottom line, which can mean shifting blame or refusing to accept liability. Proving the truck driver or other entities are at fault means collecting and preserving vital evidence only obtained through a complete investigation into the cause of the crash.
Understanding how truck accident investigations work in Augusta and how an experienced attorney can preserve the evidence needed to build a solid compensation claim is essential to pursue maximum compensation for your accident-related injuries.
Why Is a Truck Accident Investigation Necessary?
Truck accidents are unique and not like other motor vehicle crashes. More than one entity may often be liable for causing crashes and compensating injured victims. The truck driver, trucking company, parts manufacturer, and cargo loading company, in addition to other parties, may all have a role to play in the cause of the crash. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident is often the only way to establish liability and gather the evidence needed to build a compelling compensation claim.
What Is a Truck Accident Investigation?
A truck accident investigation uncovers the specific circumstances and contributing factors that led to the commercial truck crash. It should seek to identify the cause of the accident and the at-fault parties responsible for the collision. A complete truck accident investigation should include evidence gathering and preservation to support claims and legal remedies for recovering compensation.
Following a commercial vehicle accident, multiple parties may pursue an investigation into the cause of the crash, including:
- Law enforcement
- Insurance companies
- Trucking companies
- Government entities
It is essential to note that each entity investigating the cause of the accident may have a specific agenda. Insurance and trucking companies want to reduce their liability significantly, avoiding high victim payouts. Law enforcement agencies only have so many officers to investigate crashes and don’t always have the resources to complete an intensive investigation into auto accidents.
Attorneys representing commercial truck accident victims have the knowledge and tools to thoroughly investigate truck accidents while prioritizing the accident victim’s best interests. An attorney also has the legal resources necessary to collect and preserve specific evidence that may be out of reach of other entities. Black box data, safety inspection reports, cargo manifests, and hours of service logs belong to the trucking company. Compelling the company to turn this vital evidence over can be challenging without legal intervention.
How Do Augusta Truck Accident Investigations Work?
Not all parties investigating the cause of an Augusta truck accident will use the same investigation techniques. The number of steps in the accident investigation process varies depending on who is conducting the investigation, the severity of the accident, and other factors. Generally, an experienced truck accident attorney employs several strategies to get to the bottom of the cause of the accident. These tactics can include:
- Recovering evidence like the police report, photographs, and videos from the crash site
- Collecting and preserving physical evidence from the scene, like vehicle debris and photographs of skid marks, and examining the physical damage to each vehicle
- Collecting eyewitness statements from those who saw or were involved in the accident
- Carefully inspecting the vehicle for mechanical defects or failures that may have contributed to the accident
- Collecting, preserving, and reviewing data from electronic recording devices, such as the truck’s “black box” and service logs
- Collecting, preserving, and reviewing cellular phone records, driving records, medical history, drug and alcohol testing results, and other information about the truck driver
- Reviewing the trucking company’s history and compliance with state and federal commercial trucking regulations
- Analyzing all available evidence and consulting expert witnesses to generate a complete picture of the accident and how it occurred
An attorney can turn to several sources to help complete an intensive investigation into the cause of the accident, from law enforcement reports to witnesses and reconstruction experts. They can also leverage the legal system, using subpoenas and letters of spoliation to compel entities to preserve and turn over evidence critical to building a solid truck accident case.
Evidence Needed to Build a Commercial Truck Accident Case in Augusta
The key to any truck accident investigation is uncovering crucial evidence that proves liability. Some of the most valuable evidence needed to help build a solid truck accident claim can include:
- Police report
- Back box data
- Hours of service logs
- Dash camera video
- Cargo loading manifests
- Safety inspection reports
- Driver background information
- Cellular phone records
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Surveillance footage
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert witness testimony
Often, trucking companies have rapid response teams who respond to commercial truck accidents in the blink of an eye. These teams protect the trucking company, not you. They may use tactics to hide or destroy crucial evidence before an accident victim has time to consider their situation and get help. To protect yourself and your legal rights, contact an experienced truck accident attorney immediately following a collision with a commercial vehicle.
The trucking company’s rapid response team moves quickly to protect the truck driver, trucking company, and insurers. Make sure you have someone equally aggressive on your side, advocating for you and working to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
How an Augusta Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You
At Chris Hudson Law Group, our Augusta truck accident attorneys fight for you, standing up to aggressive trucking companies and insurers for fair compensation for your injuries and losses. We understand what it takes to complete a detailed investigation into the cause of trucking accidents and will advocate for you from start to finish.
Contact our office today at (706) 863-6600 to arrange a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation. We want to be the team you turn to that can deliver results.