Whether you’re a commercial driver or an average person on the road, the odds of winning your case are tied to your ability to prove your case. Testimony plays a role, but it is easily challenged due to the fallibility of memory. This is why your odds of winning depend on the strength of your evidence. Here is the evidence that can win your truck accident case.
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Police Reports
Only the police can prove that the other person was drunk or high when they cut you off. The police report regarding the accident is an independent third-party report regarding events. It also has more weight than your testimony, because the police don’t have a vested interest in the outcome of the case.
Medical Reports
It is standard procedure for attorneys to advise you to see a doctor to verify the severity of your injuries after a car accident. In a truck accident, the odds are high that you were taken to the Emergency Room or forced to seek medical attention. However, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to be seen again. For example, an attorney may suggest that you be seen by a second or even a third doctor to determine the best course of treatment. Will you need surgery? Can the issue be addressed by physical therapy? What are the possible long-term effects of the accident? Don’t accept a settlement assuming the worst is behind you if there may be a traumatic brain injury or permanent disability resulting from the accident.
Real-Time Photos
The first obligation everyone involved in the accident has is to ensure that everyone else is safe. If they’re injured, call an ambulance. If the car is on fire, pull them to safety and call 911. If possible, push cars out of the way so that they won’t be hit by oncoming traffic.
Once the immediate danger has passed, it is time to document what is going on. Take photos of your vehicle, the other vehicle and the road conditions. Take pictures of the traffic signs and any confusing road intersections that may have contributed to the accident. Take pictures of the license plates of cars that have stopped to look, since these witnesses may be able to tell their side of the story later on. If you have a dash cam, make sure that the snapshots or video are saved and made available to your attorney. Take pictures of any traffic cameras in the vicinity, so this footage can be pulled by the accident investigator. When police come to investigate the accident, take pictures of their badges in addition to writing down their badge number. This will ensure that your truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX has the necessary information to get a copy of the report from Houston PD.
Electronic Logging Devices
Professional truck drivers are legally required to have electronic logging devices or ELD in their vehicle. This tracks how long you’ve driven, how far you’ve driven and when you’ve taken breaks. More advanced tracking devices can record far more information than this. It may track engine temperature, fuel efficiency, vibration levels, speed and braking habits. Top of the line systems collect far more information than the devices insurance companies use to track driver behavior and bill them accordingly. If you have a logging device tied to your car or truck, make sure that the data from it is saved. And report the existing of the device to your attorney.
