How to Make a Semi Truck Accident Legal Accidents involving semi trucks are commonplace on the nation's highways Because of their intimidating size, the injuries sustained when a collision occurs with a truck could be severe If you've been injured in a truck crash An experienced attorney will help you obtain the compensation you're due Learn about the different types of truck accidents that occur and how they impact your case 1 Investigate the Accident Evidence must be taken as soon as possible after an accident That is especially important in the case of semi-trucks There are a variety of sources of information, such as the black-box data of the truck driver's cell phone records It is also possible for other devices to be used for evidence, including crash data recorders or a truck's "nanny cam" All of this information can help determine the cause of the accident and who's at fault It is also important to involve the police as quickly as possible in the event of a semi truck accident This will ensure that a full and accurate report is filed on the incident Without a proper and thorough police investigation, it could be difficult to establish what really happened and who was the culprit in the crash It is recommended that you only answer questions as long as it you are comfortable after the police arrive Don't think about or speculate to attempt to improve your image These answers could be used against you by the trucking company or driver in court https//vimeocom/709780807 from the police department will collect a number of different kinds of evidence from 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 witness the incident It is also recommended to take pictures of the license plate of the truck and any other identifying marks that are present on the trailer or vehicle One of the most frequent causes of semi-truck accidents is rear-end collisions These accidents typically occur when a vehicle is following too closely In these instances the driver of the truck may smash the rear of the car or truck in front of him, inflicting severe or fatal injuries Other causes of semi-truck crashes include tire blowouts shifting loads, poor maintenance of trailers or trucks, and more An experienced personal injury lawyer will understand these issues, and will help you establish who is liable for your losses In the majority of cases, the truck driver will be liable for any accident that is the result of their negligence There are other options to claim compensation if a different factor caused the accident for example, an issue with the manufacturing process of the truck or the trailer 2 Contact the Police When an accident involving semi-trucks the first thing you need to take is to notify the police They will be able to record official statements about the accident including any injuries that may have occurred You will also receive a formal police report that can be used to support your claim for damages The NYPD keep their reports on the premises at their precincts permanently, so if you are near to the scene of the accident or could easily visit the area it is recommended that you pick one up You can also request an NYPD report online Besides speaking to the police, it's essential to collect information from all involved in the accident This includes the truck drivers, passengers as well as anyone other person who was Be sure to collect their names, phone numbers and insurance policy information and the name of the company they work for It's also an excellent idea to take photos or videos of the scene, if it's possible This will allow you to record the accident, and also provide an image of the moment of the collision Most accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error or a mistake This can be caused by drowsiness or distraction, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding These issues can be particularly dangerous when driving a large or heavy vehicle Another major cause of semi accidents is bad road or conditions Trucks aren't easy to control, so when they're driven in bad conditions, they could become uncontrollable and collide with smaller vehicles Another common cause of truck accidents is the insufficient maintenance on the trailer or truck Trucks that are not maintained properly are more likely to tip over or have mechanical problems This could be due to inclement weather, driver fatigue or simply a lack of attention from the trucking company A truck accident lawyer will investigate the incident and determine the responsible parties, and collect evidence to support your claim They will also handle any correspondence with the insurance business, so you don't be worried that they try to trick you into accepting the blame or reduce your compensation 3 Gather Information While you are waiting for the police to arrive, it is essential to take photos of everything This includes the damages to all vehicles involved, skid marks and any other evidence that could aid your case It is also important to take pictures of the passengers and driver of the truck, and any witnesses who may have witnessed the incident You won't need to look for them later on, and your lawyer will be in a position to determine who is responsible Be sure to ask eyewitnesses whether they'll be able to speak under an oath This will ensure that their claims are true and not altered by other people's accounts of the events Witness statements are essential to discovering the root of the accident They can be used to prove negligence, which is one of the ways you can seek compensation from the trucking company In addition to eyewitness testimony It is also important to collect as much information regarding the trucking company and the driver This could include their personal qualification and training file as well as a copy of their commercial driver's license, their history checks, drug screening results and safety performance documents It can be compelled by your attorney, if required Another important piece of evidence is the trucker's telephone records This could reveal whether the driver was on the phone when the accident happened, and could be the basis for an action The trucking company's phone records can also be used to determine what kind of policies they have in place regarding texting while driving Finally, it is essential to gather medical documents and bills This will help you establish the severity of your injuries and the amount of compensation you will receive for your financial losses Economic damages cover things such as medical expenses as well as loss of earnings and future earning potential Non-economic damages cover intangible losses such as 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 you with the insurance company when you are looking to file an insurance claim for a semi-truck 4 Contact a Lawyer While it is understandable to be upset after the collision with a semi truck, it's important to stay calm If you're hurt, or even if you're not, don't leave the scene of the collision This is not only unprofessional but also illegal Keep your eyes on the scene for as long as you are allowed by authorities Document any damage that has occurred to your car or personal property as well as any injuries that you have sustained It is best to do this using pictures or videos but notes will work too This information can prove useful in the future Also, speak to witnesses that you know and obtain their contact details as soon as possible It is also beneficial to have photos of the scene prior to any cleanup because they could be used as evidence if required If you've been injured in a semi truck accident it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible and contact the police It's also essential to not admit fault since this could hinder your chances of getting an equitable settlement If the trucking company contacts you and offers a settlement to settle your claim, you must decline the offer and get in touch with an attorney There are a variety of damages that you may be able to claim from the person at fault involved in a semi truck accident The most straightforward of these is economic compensatory damages, which are meant to reimburse you for any monetary losses associated with the wreck This can include emergency room visits, hospital charges, ongoing treatments, and any loss of income resulting from the injuries you suffered In addition, to the economic compensatory damages, you may also be eligible to receive punitive damages from the at-fault party They are designed to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions and discourage similar behaviour in the future It can be challenging to prove this type of compensation in court, however certain factors can help establish an appropriate amount These include the trucker's log electronic driving record and evidence of mobile phone use and reports or opinions from forensic or financial experts