How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal On the roads across America collisions with semi-trucks are not uncommon Due to their size truck accidents can cause serious injuries If you've suffered an injury from a crash with trucks, a skilled lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve Find out about the various kinds of truck accidents that happen and how they impact your case 1 Examine the incident Evidence must be collected immediately following an accident This is especially crucial in cases involving semi-trucks There are other sources of information, including the black box data from the truck driver and his cell phone records It is also possible for other technological devices to be used to prove the case, such as crash data recorders or even a truck's "nanny camera" All of this information can help determine what caused the accident and who's responsible In any semi-truck collision it is essential to inform the police as soon as you can This will ensure the most complete and accurate account of the incident Without a thorough and proper investigation by the police, it could be very difficult to prove what really happened and who was responsible in the crash It is recommended that you only answer questions as much as you are comfortable after the police arrive It's not recommended to think or make guesses about any information in order to make yourself appear better These kinds of answers can later be used by the truck driver, trucking company or their insurance companies against you in court The police officer will gather a number of different kinds of evidence on the scene, including photos of both vehicles and the surrounding area They will also take note of the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur It is also an excellent idea to take a photo of the truck's number plate and any other identifying marks on the vehicle or the trailer One of the most frequent causes of semi-truck accidents is rear-end collisions These types of accidents usually occur when a vehicle follows too closely In these situations, the driver of the truck will probably slam the back of the vehicle or truck in front of him, inflicting serious or fatal injuries Other causes of semi-truck crashes include tire blowouts and shifting loads, inadvertent maintenance of the trailer or truck and many more A personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable of these issues can help you prove the responsibility for your injuries In most cases, the truck driver will be liable for any injury caused by their negligence However, there are other routes to recover compensation that may be pursued in the event that the cause of the accident was different, such as an issue with the manufacturing process of the truck or trailer 2 Contact the Police If you are involved in an accident that involves a semi-truck happens the first thing to make is to contact the police They will arrive at the scene and make official statements regarding what happened, including any injuries This will also provide you with a formal police report that you can use in your claim for damages The NYPD keeps reports on the premises in their precincts for a period of 30 days, so if the accident happened close to your home or in a location that you are able to visit in person then you should visit the location and pick up an original copy You can also request a NYPD report online Besides speaking to the police, it's essential to collect information from all involved in the accident This includes the truck driver, passengers, and any other witnesses Try to find their names, telephone numbers as well as insurance policy details, and the name of the company they work for It's also a good idea to take pictures or videos of the scene, if you can This will help record the accident and also provide a visual recording of the moment of the impact Truck accidents are often caused by driver error or error This could include drowsiness or distraction, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or speeding These dangers are particularly pronounced when driving large, heavy vehicles Poor road conditions or weather conditions are another common cause of semi-accidents Trucks can be difficult to maneuver, and if they're driven in poor conditions, they can easily become uncontrollable and collide with smaller vehicles The third most frequent cause of truck accidents is poor maintenance of the truck or its trailer Poorly maintained trucks are more likely to tip over or suffer mechanical issues This could be due to poor weather, driver fatigue, or negligence on the part of the trucking company A reputable truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident and determine the responsible parties, and gather evidence to support your case They will also manage all communications with the trucking company's insurance company so you do not have to be concerned about them trying trick you into admitting guilt or reducing the amount of compensation you deserve 3 Gather Information Take pictures of everything while you wait for the police https//vimeocom/709780958 includes the damages to all vehicles involved, skid marks, and anything else that might aid your case It's also a good idea to capture the driver of the truck and their passengers, as well as witnesses who may have witnessed the crash This will help you avoid having to find them in the future, and will aid your lawyer in determining who is accountable for the accident Make sure to inquire with eyewitnesses whether they will be willing to testify under the oath This will ensure that their words are true and not affected by other people's interpretations of the events Witness statements are essential for discovering the root of the accident They can be used to prove negligence, which is one way you can claim compensation from the trucking company It is crucial to collect all the information you can about the trucking company, the driver, and their background This could include the driver's personnel qualifications and training files along with a copy commercial driver's license, a history of checks, drug screening results, and safety performance records This can be subpoenaed by your attorney in the event of a need The phone records of the trucker are a different important evidence It can be used to determine whether the trucker was on the phone at the moment of the accident, and it could provide grounds for an action The records of the trucking company's phones can be used to determine what kind of policies they have in place with regard to texting and driving It is important to collect all medical documents and bills This will enable you to prove the extent of the injury and the amount you will be paid for your financial loss Economic damages include medical expenses along with lost earnings and future earning potential Non-economic damages are those that result from intangible losses such as pain and suffering mental distress, 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 if you want to file an insurance claim for a semi truck 4 Contact a lawyer Although it's natural to be upset after collisions with semi truck, it's vital to stay calm If you're injured, or even in the event that you're not, do not leave the scene of the collision This not only looks unprofessional, it's also illegal Instead, remain at the location until the police allow you to leave Record any damage to your car or personal property as in addition to any injuries you've sustained If you can, it's best to document this with photos or videos However notes are also sufficient This information could prove useful in the future Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information as quickly as you can When you're cleaning up it's a good idea to take photos of the crash scene These are a great source of evidence should you require them If you've suffered injuries in a semi-truck crash It's crucial to seek medical care immediately and notify the police immediately It's also vital not to acknowledge fault, as this will hinder your chances of getting an adequate settlement for your claim If the trucking company contacts you with an offer to settle and you're not sure how to respond, it's best to be polite and decline the offer and consult an attorney There are several different types of damages that you might be able to claim from the person at fault in a semi-truck accident The most basic is economic compensatory damage, which is meant to compensate you for any financial expenses you might have suffered due to the crash These could include hospital bills as well as ongoing medical treatment any income loss due to the injuries you sustained In addition to economic compensatory damages, you may also be able to receive punitive damages from the at-fault party These are intended to punish the defendant for their negligent actions and discourage similar behaviour in the future This kind of compensation may be difficult to prove in court, but there are certain elements that can help you determine a fair amount These can include records from the trucker's driver log, electronic driving data, evidence of cell phone use, and reports or opinions from financial or forensic experts