How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal Accidents involving semi trucks are common on the nation's highways Due to their size truck accidents can result in serious injuries If you have been injured in a car accident An experienced attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve Learn about the various types of truck accidents and how they can impact your case 1 Investigate the cause of the accident Evidence must be gathered immediately following an accident This is particularly crucial in cases involving semi-trucks There are more sources of information, such as the black-box data of the truck driver's cell phone records Other devices like crash recorders or the "nanny camera" on a truck could also be used as evidence In the event of a semi-truck crash it is imperative to involve the police as soon as possible This will ensure that a full and accurate report is filed of the incident It is difficult to establish the truth and determine who was responsible for the crash without a thorough and thorough police investigation If the police show up at your home, you should answer any questions only in the amount you are at ease It is not a good idea to speculate or make guesses about anything to make yourself look better These types of answers can later be used by the truck driver, the trucking company, or their insurance companies against you in court The police officer will gather many different kinds of evidence at the scene, including photos of both vehicles as well as the surrounding area They will also record the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur It is also a good idea for you to take a photo of the truck's number plate and any other identifying marks on the vehicle or the trailer Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent causes of semi-truck accidents These accidents usually occur when a vehicle is following too closely In these cases the driver of the truck is more likely to smash into the back of the vehicle in front of them This can be dangerous and can cause serious or fatal injuries to the passengers of that vehicle or truck Tire blowouts, shifting loads, inadequate maintenance of trailers or trucks and other issues are all causes for semi-truck accidents A personal injury lawyer who can address these issues can help establish the liability for your injuries In most situations, the truck driver is responsible for any accident that is the result of their negligence However there are other avenues to recover compensation that may be pursued if it is determined that the cause of the accident was not related to like a manufacturing defect in the trailer or truck 2 Contact the Police If you're involved in an accident with semi-trucks occurs, the first thing you should do is call the police They will arrive and record official statements regarding the crash, including any injuries that may have occurred You will also receive an official police report that you can use to back your claim for damages The NYPD keep their reports on file at their precincts for a long time, so if you are near to the scene of the accident or is able to go there easily, you should take one You can also request an NYPD report online It is crucial to talk to all those involved in the accident including the truck driver as well as passengers This includes the truck's drivers, passengers, and anyone else who was there Try to find their names, numbers as well as insurance policy details, and the name of the company they work for It's also an excellent idea to take photographs or videos of the scene, if you are able to This will help record the accident and also provide a visual recording of the moment of the impact In many instances truck accidents are the result of driver error or negligence This could include drowsiness, distraction, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or speeding These issues can be particularly risky when driving a large automobile that is heavy and large Weather or road conditions that aren't ideal are another common cause of semi-accidents Trucks are difficult to maneuver and can easily become uncontrollable if driven in bad weather conditions Improper maintenance of the truck or its trailer is the third leading cause of truck accidents Trucks that are not maintained properly are more likely to tip over or suffer mechanical issues This could be caused by poor weather, driver fatigue, or negligence on the part of the trucking company An experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident and determine the responsible parties, and gather evidence to support your case They will also handle any communications with the insurance company of the trucking company's firm, so you don't be concerned that they attempt to entice you into accepting the blame or decreasing the amount of compensation you receive 3 Gather Information Take photos of everything as you wait for the police This includes the damage to the vehicles involved, skid marks, and anything else that could help your case It's also a good idea to capture the driver of the truck as well as their passengers and any witnesses that may have witnessed the accident This will save you from having to track people down later, and it will help your lawyer determine who is responsible for the crash Be https//vimeocom/709355612 to ask eyewitnesses if they will speak under oath This will ensure that their claims are true and are not altered by other people's accounts of events Witness statements can be vital in determining the cause of an accident They can be used to prove the trucking company's negligence In addition to eyewitness testimony It is also important to collect as much information about the trucking business and the driver This can include their personnel qualifications and training files, a copy of their commercial driver's license, a history of checks, drug screening results and safety performance records Attorneys can subpoena the information if needed The phone records of the trucker are another significant piece of evidence It can be used to determine if the driver was on the phone at the time the accident took place, and could be the basis for an action The phone records of the trucking company can be used to determine if they have policies regarding texting while driving In the end, it is crucial to gather medical records and bills This will allow you to prove the severity of the injury and the amount you should be paid for your financial loss Economic damages include medical expenses as well as lost earnings and earning potential Non-economic damages include intangible losses like suffering and pain, mental anguish and loss of consortium If you're planning to file a semi truck accident claim An experienced attorney can help you gather all of the information you need and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf 4 Contact a Lawyer It's normal to feel angry after a collision that involves a semi-truck, but it's also 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, remain at the location until the police permit you to leave Document any damage that has occurred to your car or personal property, as and any injuries you have sustained If you can, it's recommended to document the incident using images or video However notes will suffice This information can prove useful in the future In addition, speak with witnesses that you know and obtain their contact details as soon as you can It's also helpful to have photos of the scene prior to any cleanup as they could be used as evidence should it be needed If you've been hurt in a semi truck crash it is crucial to seek medical care immediately and get in touch with the police right away It's also crucial not to acknowledge fault, as this will hinder your chances of obtaining a fair settlement for your claim If the trucking company tries to contact you with a proposal to settle but you're not comfortable, you should politely decline and contact a lawyer You may be able recover damages from the person at the fault in a semi-truck crash One of the most common is economic compensation damages, which are designed to compensate you for any monetary losses due to the wreck This could include hospital expenses as well as ongoing medical treatment any income loss due to the injuries you sustained In addition to the economic compensation damages, you may also be able to receive punitive damages from the responsible party These are intended to punish the defendant and prevent similar actions in future This type of compensation can be difficult to prove in court, but there are certain factors which can help you determine a fair amount This could include evidence from the trucker's driver log as well as electronic driving data as well as evidence of cell phone usage, reports or opinions from forensic or financial experts