How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal Accidents involving semi trucks are common on the nation's highways Due to their size, the injuries sustained in a collision with a truck could be severe If you have suffered injuries due to a collision with a truck, an experienced lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you're due Find out about the various types of truck accidents and how they could impact your case 1 Investigate the Cause of the Accident In the event of an accident, evidence needs to be taken and preserved right away This is particularly crucial when it comes to semi-trucks There are more sources of information available, including the black box data of the truck driver and his cell phone records Other devices like crash recorders, or the "nanny camera" on a truck can also be used as evidence In the event of a semi-truck crash it is essential to notify the police as soon as possible This will ensure that an accurate and complete report is submitted of the incident It can be difficult to prove the truth and determine who is responsible for the crash without a thorough and proper police investigation After the police arrive at your home, you should answer any questions only in the amount you feel at ease It is not advisable to speculate or make guesses to enhance your image These kinds of answers could later be used by the truck driver, trucking company, or their insurance companies against you in court The officer of the police will collect many different kinds of evidence on the scene, such as photographs of both vehicles and the surrounding area They will also write down the names and contact information of anyone who may witness the incident It is also a good idea to photograph the license plate of the truck and any other identifying marks that are on the vehicle or trailer One of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents are rear-end collisions These kinds of accidents typically occur when a vehicle is following too closely In these cases the driver of the truck is likely to crash into the rear of the vehicle ahead of them This will cause serious or fatal injuries to the passengers of that vehicle or truck Tire blowouts, shifting loads, improper maintenance of trailers or trucks and other issues are all causes for semi-truck accidents A personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable of these issues can help you prove liability for your damages In most cases, a truck driver is the sole responsible party for any accident that was caused by their carelessness However, there are other routes to compensation that can be pursued in the event that the cause of the accident was a different cause, such as a manufacturing defect in the truck or trailer 2 Contact the Police Contacting the police is the first step you should take after an accident with a semi-truck occurs They will come to the scene and record official statements regarding what happened including any injuries This will also provide you with an official police report to use in your claim for damages The NYPD keep reports on site at their precincts over 30 days and if the incident occurred close to your home or where you can easily visit in person then you should visit the police station and get an original copy Alternatively, you can use the NYPD's website to request reports In addition to speaking with the police, it's also important to gather information from everyone involved in the accident This includes the truck driver, the passengers, and any other witnesses Be sure to collect their names, contact numbers as well as insurance policy details, and the name of the company they work for If you are able, also take pictures or videos of the scene This will help you to record the accident, and will also give an image record of the moment of the impact Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by driver error or a mishap This could result from drowsiness, distraction, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or speeding These factors are especially dangerous when driving large, heavy vehicles Another reason for semi-accidents is poor road or conditions Trucks are not easy to maneuver, so when they're driven in bad conditions, they may become uncontrollable and crash into smaller vehicles Unprofessional maintenance of the truck or its trailer is a third common cause of truck accidents A poorly maintained truck could be dangerous as it is more likely to tip over or have mechanical failures This could be caused by bad weather, driver fatigue or neglect on the part of the trucking company A reputable truck accident attorney will investigate the crash and determine the responsible parties, and gather evidence to strengthen your case They will also handle all communications with the insurance company of the trucking company so that you do not have to worry about them trying to get you to admit to the responsibility or reducing the amount of compensation you're entitled to 3 Gather Information Take pictures of everything while you wait for the police This includes the damage to the vehicles involved, skid marks and any other evidence that could aid your case It's important to take pictures of the driver of the truck and their passengers and any witnesses that may have seen the accident You won't have to search for witnesses later and your lawyer will be capable of determining who is responsible If you are talking to eyewitnesses, be sure that they are willing to be under an oath This will help ensure that their claims are true and don't get influence by other people's perceptions of events Witness statements can be vital in determining the root of an accident They can also be used to establish the negligence of the trucking firm It is important to collect as much information regarding the trucking company, the driver and their background This could include their personal qualifications and training files and a copy of their commercial driver's license, history tests, results of drug screening and safety performance records Your attorney can request this information if necessary The trucker's phone records are a different important piece of evidence This can show whether the trucker was on the phone at the incident, and could be the basis for a lawsuit The phone records of the trucking company can be used to determine what sort of policies they have in place regarding texting while driving Finally, it is essential to collect medical records and bills This will enable you to prove the severity of your injuries and the amount of compensation you will receive for your financial losses https//vimeocom/709779830 can include medical expenses loss of earnings, as well as future earning potential Non-economic damages are those that result from intangible losses such as pain and suffering mental distress, and loss of consortium If you're looking to file an accident claim for semi-trucks An experienced attorney will be able to help you get all of the information you need and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf 4 Contact a lawyer Although it's natural to be upset following a collision with a semi truck, it's important to remain calm Don't leave the accident scene, whether you are injured or not Not only does this look unprofessional, but it's also illegal Instead, remain on the scene until authorities allow you to leave Once at the scene, note any damage that has occurred to your vehicle or personal property and any injuries you may have sustained If you can, it's best to document this incident with photos or videos However notes can also be used Also, you should note the name of the driver and company they work for as this information could help later in the event of a case Additionally, talk to any witnesses you have and get their contact details as soon as you can It's also helpful to have photographs of the wreckage site before you begin cleaning up, as this can be used as evidence if required If you've been injured in a semi-truck collision it is imperative to seek medical attention right away and call the police It is also important to not admit fault as this could reduce the chances of obtaining an acceptable settlement If the trucking firm contacts you and offers to settle to settle your claim, you must decline the offer and get in touch with an attorney You could be able to recover damages from the person at the fault in a semi-truck crash One of the most common is economic compensatory damages, which are designed to compensate you for any financial losses caused by the accident These may include hospital costs or ongoing treatment as well as any income loss due to your injuries In addition to financial compensatory damages, you may be able to receive punitive damages from the party at fault These are intended to penalize the defendant and prevent similar actions in the future It can be challenging to prove this kind of compensation in court, however certain factors can help you determine the right amount These include the trucker's log as well as electronic data from the driver's seat and evidence of use of cell phones as well as reports or opinions by financial or forensic experts