How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal On the nation's roads collisions with semi-trucks are not uncommon Due to their size, truck accidents can cause serious injuries If you've suffered an injury in a collision involving a truck, an experienced lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to Learn more about the different types of truck accidents and how they can impact your case 1 Investigate the accident In the event of an accident, evidence must be collected and preserved immediately This is especially crucial in cases involving semi trucks This is due to the fact that there are numerous sources of evidence and information like the black box of the truck driver's data and cellphone records Other technological devices, such as crash recorders, or the "nanny camera" on a truck are also a possibility for evidence In any semi-truck collision It is crucial to inform the police as soon as you can This will ensure a full and accurate report is filed of the incident If there isn't a thorough and complete police investigation, it will be very difficult to prove what actually happened and who was responsible in the crash When the police arrive and you are questioned, it is recommended to respond to any questions only in the amount you are comfortable You should not speculate or make guesses to enhance your image These answers could be used against you by the trucking company or the driver in court The officer of the police will collect a number of different kinds of evidence from the scene, including photos of both vehicles and the surrounding area The police officer will take down the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who could have witnessed the accident In addition, it's ideal to take a picture of the truck's license plate and any other markings that are present on the vehicle or trailer Rear-end collisions are among the most common causes for semi-truck accidents These kinds of accidents typically occur when a vehicle is following too closely In these instances the driver of the truck will probably smash the back of the car or truck in the direction of him, causing serious or fatal injuries Other reasons for semi-truck accidents include blowouts of tires shift loads, inadequate maintenance of trailers or trucks, and many more A personal injury lawyer who is aware of these issues can help you prove the responsibility for your injuries In most instances, the driver of the truck will be liable for any accidents caused by their negligence There are other options to claim compensation if a different cause of the accident was to blame, such as a manufacturing fault in the truck or the trailer 2 Contact the Police Contacting the police is the first step to take after an accident involving semi-trucks happens They will attend and make official statements about the crash and any injuries that occurred You will also receive an official police report that you can use to back your claim for damages The NYPD keeps their reports on the premises at their precincts permanently which means that if you live close to the spot of the accident or is able to go there easily then you should pick one up Or, you can go to the NYPD's website to request the report It's important that you speak to anyone involved in the incident including the truck driver and passengers This includes the truck driver, the passengers, and any other witnesses Be sure to collect their names, phone numbers, insurance policy information, and the name of the company they work for https//vimeocom/709772163 's also a good idea to take photos or videos of your scene, if it's possible This will help you to document the accident, and also provide an image of the moment of the impact In many instances, truck accidents are the result of negligence or driver error This could result from drowsiness, distraction, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or speeding These dangers are particularly pronounced when driving large, heavy vehicles Conditions on the road or in the weather are another common cause of semi-accidents Trucks aren't easy to maneuver, and when they're driven under poor conditions, they can easily become unstable and cause collisions with smaller vehicles Another common cause of truck accidents is poor maintenance of the truck or its trailer A truck that is not maintained properly could be dangerous as it is more likely to overturn or suffer mechanical failures This could be due inclement weather, driver fatigue or simply a lack of attention from the trucking company A truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident, determine all responsible parties and gather evidence to support your claim They will also handle any communication with the insurance company of the trucking company's firm, meaning you won't be worried that they attempt to convince you into assuming blame or reducing the amount of compensation you receive 3 Gather Information Photograph everything as you wait for the police Included in this are the damages to any vehicles involved as well as skid marks, or any other evidence which could aid in your case It is also a good idea to capture the driver of the truck as well as their passengers and witnesses who may have witnessed the accident This will prevent you from having to track people down later, and it can aid your lawyer in determining who might be liable for the accident Make sure to inquire with eyewitnesses whether they'll testify under an oath This will help ensure that their accounts are accurate and are not altered by other people's accounts of the events Witness statements are crucial for discovering the root of the accident They can also be used to prove negligence which is one of the ways you can seek compensation from the trucking company It is essential to gather as much information as you can about the trucking company, the driver and their background This could include an image of the commercial driver's licence of the driver, their personnel qualification and their training file It may also include a history check, results of a drug screening and safety performance records This information can be requested by your attorney should it be required Another crucial piece of evidence is the trucker's phone records This can show that the trucker was using the phone at the incident, and could be a basis for a lawsuit The records of the trucking company's phones can also be used to determine what sort of policies they have in place for texting while driving It is essential to keep all medical records and bills This will enable you to establish the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation that you must receive for your monetary losses Economic damages are a way to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings and future earning potential Non-economic damages are those that result from intangible losses like pain and suffering mental distress and loss of consortium An experienced lawyer can help you gather all the information you need and negotiate on behalf of the insurance company when you are looking to file a claim for a semi truck 4 Contact a lawyer It's normal to feel upset after a collision involving semi-trucks however, it's equally important to remain calm If you're injured or even if you're not leave the scene of the collision It's not just unprofessional, but it's also illegal Instead, stay at the location until the police permit you to leave After arriving at the scene, note any damage to your vehicle or personal property, as well as any injuries you sustained It is recommended to do this using pictures or videos but notes will work as well This information will be useful in the future Additionally, talk to witnesses you know and get their contact details as soon as possible Before any cleanup is done it's a good idea to capture photos of the crash scene They can be used as evidence should you require them If you've suffered injuries in a semi truck crash It is essential to seek medical attention immediately and get in touch with the police right away It's also crucial to not admit guilt as this could reduce your chances of receiving an acceptable settlement If the trucking firm contacts you and offers to settle to settle your claim, you must decline the offer and contact an attorney There are various kinds of damages that you might be able to claim from the at-fault party in a semi-truck accident The most straightforward of these is the economic compensatory damages which are designed to compensate you for any financial losses due to the wreck These could include hospital bills as well as ongoing medical treatment any income loss resulting from the injuries you sustained You could also be entitled to punitive damages in addition to economic damages These are meant to punish the defendant for their wrong actions and deter similar behavior in the future This kind of compensation may be difficult to prove in court, however there are certain factors which can help you determine an appropriate amount This includes the trucker's log as well as electronic data from the driver's seat and evidence of mobile phone use, as well as the opinions or reports of financial or forensic experts