How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal On the nation's roads collisions with semi-trucks are not common Because of their size truck accidents can result in serious injuries If you've suffered an injury in a collision involving the truck, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you're due Find out about the various types of truck accidents and how they can affect your case 1 Investigate the accident In any accident, evidence needs to be preserved and collected immediately This is especially crucial when it comes to semi-trucks There are many sources of information available, including the black box data of the truck driver's cell phone records It is also possible for other devices to be used to provide evidence, like crash data recorders and even a truck's "nanny camera" All of this data can be used to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault It is also important to get the police involved immediately in the event of a semi-truck accident This will result in an accurate and complete report of the incident It can be difficult to prove the truth and determine who was responsible for the crash without a thorough police investigation If the police show up and you are questioned, it is recommended to answer any questions to the extent you feel comfortable https//vimeocom/709745638 's not an ideal idea to speculate or guess at anything to make yourself appear better These answers could be used against you by the trucking company or driver in court The officer from the police department will gather the evidence they can on the scene, such as photographs of the vehicles and the surrounding area They will also note down the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the incident It is also an excellent idea to take a photo of the truck's number plate and any other identifying marks on the trailer or the vehicle One of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents are rear-end collisions These accidents usually occur when a vehicle is following too closely In these instances the driver of the truck is more likely to smash into the back of the vehicle ahead of them, and often may cause fatal or serious injuries to the passengers of the car or truck Tire blowouts, shifting of loads, poor maintenance of trailers or trucks and many other things are causes for semi-truck accidents A qualified personal injury attorney will understand these issues, and will help you establish who is liable for your losses In most situations, a driver of a truck is accountable for any accident that was caused due to their negligence There are other options to seek compensation in the event that a different incident caused the accident or an error in manufacturing on the truck or trailer 2 Contact the Police If you are involved in an accident that involves semi-trucks the first thing to take is to notify the police They will come to the scene and make official statements on what transpired and any injuries You will also receive a formal police report you can use to support your claim for damages The NYPD keeps reports on the premises at their precincts over 30 days which means that if the incident happened close to where you live or which you can easily visit in person then you should visit the location and pick up an original copy You can also use the NYPD's website to request an investigation It's important that you speak to everyone involved in the accident, including the truck driver and passengers This includes the truck driver, passengers and any other witnesses It is recommended to obtain their name, number, insurance information, and company name It is also a good idea to take photographs or videos of the scene, if you can This will help you record the accident and can also give a visual record of the moment of impact which can be useful in the future The majority of accidents involving trucks are caused by driver carelessness or a mistake This can be due to drowsiness, distraction, driving under influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding These can be particularly dangerous when driving a large, heavy vehicle Bad road or weather conditions are another frequent cause of semi-accidents Trucks are not easy to maneuver, so if they're driven in poor conditions, they can easily become unstable and cause collisions with smaller vehicles The third most frequent cause of truck accidents is poor maintenance of the trailer or the truck A truck that is not maintained properly is a risk because it is more likely to roll over or suffer mechanical failures This could be due inclement weather, driver fatigue or even a lack of care from the trucking company An experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate the crash and identify all parties at fault and gather evidence to strengthen your case They will also handle all communication with the insurance company of the trucking company so that you do not need to worry about them trying to convince you to admit fault or reducing the amount of compensation you're entitled to 3 Gather Information While you are waiting for the police to arrive, it is important that you take photographs of everything Included in this are damages to the vehicles involved, as well as skid marks or anything else which could aid in your case Also, you should take photos of the driver and passengers of the truck, along with witnesses who might have witnessed the incident This will save you from needing to locate people later, and it will help your lawyer determine who's responsible for the accident Be sure to ask eyewitnesses whether they will be willing to testify under the oath This will help ensure that their claims are true and don't get influenced by other people's versions of events Witness statements are critical for determining the reason for the accident They are also used to prove negligence which is one of the ways you can claim 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 a copy of the driver's commercial driver's permit along with their qualification for employment and their training file It could also include a history check, results of a drug screening and safety performance records Your attorney may subpoena this information should it be required Another piece of crucial evidence is the trucker's phone records It can be used to determine that the trucker was using the phone at the time of the accident and could be a basis for a lawsuit The trucking company's phone records can be used to determine what kind of policies they have in place regarding texting while driving It is also essential to gather medical records and bills This will enable you to prove the severity of your injury and the amount you must be compensated for financial losses Economic damages cover things such as medical expenses, loss of earnings and the potential for future earnings Non-economic damages include intangible losses such as mental anguish, and loss of consortium An experienced attorney can assist you in gathering all the data you need and negotiate on behalf of you with the insurance company when you are looking to file a claim for an accident for a semi-truck 4 Contact a Lawyer It's normal to feel upset following a collision with a semi-truck however, it's equally important to remain calm Don't leave the accident site, regardless of whether you're injured or not This is not only unprofessional but also illegal Stay at the scene until you're allowed by authorities Once you are at the scene note any damage to your vehicle or personal property as well as any injuries you may have sustained If possible, it's ideal to document the incident with video or pictures However notes are also sufficient It is also important to note down the name of the driver and company they work for and this will help later in your case Talk to witnesses and obtain their contact information as soon as you can When you're cleaning up it's a good idea take photos of the crash site These can be used as evidence in the event that you need them If you've been injured in a semi truck crash, it's important to seek medical care immediately and get in touch with the police right away It's also essential to not admit guilt as it could impede your chances of receiving an acceptable settlement If the trucking company contacts you and offers a settlement, politely decline it and seek out an attorney You could be able to recover damages from the party who is at fault in a semi-truck collision The most straightforward is economic compensatory damage, which is intended to reimburse any monetary damages you could have suffered as a result of the accident These can include emergency hospital visits, medical bills, ongoing treatments, and any loss of income resulting from the injuries you suffered In addition, to the economic compensatory damages, you may be eligible for punitive damages from the party at fault These are meant to penalize the defendant for their illegal actions and deter similar behavior in the future It can be difficult to prove this kind of compensation in court, but certain elements can help you determine the right amount This includes the log of the trucker electronic driving records, evidence of mobile phone use, as well as the opinions or reports of financial or forensic experts