If you were injured in a truck accident, you will need to prove that the truck driver, trucking company, or other party was responsible for the crash. Because truck accident evidence is time-sensitive and complex, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced truck accident attorney in San Antonio who knows how to identify and preserve valuable evidence. Some of the evidence your lawyer may look for might include:
Electronic Logging Devices
Electronic logging devices are now required in modern-day commercial vehicles. They record key information about trucks every 15 minutes. Obtaining this crucial evidence may help you demonstrate that the driver had exceeded hours-of-service regulations or may have been fatigued while driving, which increases the likelihood of causing the accident.
Black Box Data
Most commercial trucks today have electronic data recorders, also known as black boxes, which are similar to the devices used in commercial airplanes. These devices record vital information before the accident, such as:
- Driving hours
- Braking patterns
- Speed
- GPS data
Truck Maintenance Records
Commercial trucks must be regularly maintained to ensure their thousands of components work properly so mechanical issues don’t lead to crashes. Trucking companies may ignore or defer maintenance because they don’t want their vehicles to be out of commission, since that can decrease their profit margin. Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain these records.
Inspection Records
Commercial trucks must be inspected before each trip and periodically throughout the trip, and for each workday. Trucking companies are required to maintain this evidence, too.
Driver Qualification File
Trucking companies must maintain a driver qualification file for each of their drivers. If they don’t comply with this requirement or there is evidence that the driver was not properly licensed, trained, or skilled, this can help your case against the trucking company.
Personnel Records
Trucking companies must also maintain records of their drivers, including the training they have completed, any reports, accidents, or tickets involving them, and drug and alcohol testing results.
Camera Footage
Some trucking companies install onboard cameras that may capture what was happening before the accident occurred. Other trucks and cars have dash cameras that record what could be valuable information that is relevant to the case. Traffic cameras could have also recorded the events leading up to the accident. An experienced attorney can help identify if cameras in the truck, car, street, or other locations recorded valuable information about the case.
Witness Statements
Objective witness statements can help demonstrate how an accident occurred and can carry significant weight when making an insurance claim.
Cargo Loading and Weight Documents
Cargo loading and weight document records may help show that the cargo was not added safely to the truck or in compliance with relevant trucking regulations.
Accident Scene Evidence
Various pieces of evidence can be preserved or documented at the accident scene, such as:
- Photos of the accident scene and damage
- Surveillance footage
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage
- Skid marks
- Debris on the roadway
Contact Us for Help with Your Texas Truck Accident
If you would like to learn more about the evidence our lawyers can gather and how this can help your case, the experienced personal injury legal team at George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.