Key Evidence to Strengthen a Truck Accident Case
Truck accident injuries can be catastrophic, causing permanent disability that requires 24-hour assistance to perform even the most basic of daily tasks. Only by establishing fault can you recover just compensation. Given the various moving pieces of a truck accident, proving liability can be complex unless you have convincing evidence. Although multiple forms of evidence may be available following a truck accident, understanding which evidence will support your claim is crucial to achieving a successful outcome.
At John Price Law, our truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping individuals recover the fullest extent of their losses following a collision. Our legal team will gather the evidence and information you need to help you move past the trauma, stronger than ever before.
Police Report
South Carolina law requires that you contact law enforcement following an accident if there are any injuries, deaths, or more than $1,000 in property or vehicle damage. The officer who responds to the scene will take a report of the accident details, including the names of the drivers involved, the date/time/location of the incident, the weather and road conditions, and who the officer believes is at fault. Your insurance company will require a police report when filing a claim with the city of Charleston. You can request a copy of the report online, by mail, or in person.
Eyewitness Testimony
An eyewitness who witnessed the accident can provide an impartial perspective. By describing what they saw, heard, or the general mood on the scene following the accident, they may fill in missing details you may have forgotten. If their account aligns with your version of events, they can further support your case and clarify any confusion.
NTSB Investigation Report
If a truck accident results in serious injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage, then the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the matter. Upon completing their investigation, the NTSB will issue a report that includes details of the accident, analysis of factual data, probable cause of the accident, and their safety recommendations to prevent the event from occurring in the future.
The Truck’s “Black Box”
While not widely discussed, a truck’s “black box” will record the moments before and during a crash. Known as an event data recorder (EDR), the Code of Federal Regulations regulates the collection, storage, and retrievability of EDR data. An EDR will begin recording once a truck’s computer system senses a significant change in speed or another event that signifies a crash is about to occur. An EDR does much more than record a collision—it also provides information regarding the driver’s brake use, if stability control was engaged, and the driver’s speed in the moments leading up to the incident.
Dashcams
It is estimated that commercial trucks equipped with dashcams resulted in an 86% decrease in accidents. Whether the dashcam is in your vehicle or on the dashboard of the “big rig,” it can capture whether the truck driver was speeding or otherwise exhibiting aggressive behavior that caused the collision. Nobody can argue with video footage, meaning that the truck driver’s insurance company is more likely to approve and expedite your claim.
Speak to Our Truck Accident Attorney Today
A collision with a commercial truck can result in extensive injuries, including cognitive and physical impairments. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer truck, our legal team understands the trauma that you have been through.
Extensive losses necessitate comparable compensation to ensure that you have the resources to heal physically and emotionally. At John Price Law, our Charleston, SC, truck accident lawyers will work tirelessly to advocate for the compensation that is rightfully due to you, even pursuing your case in court if needed. To schedule a consultation with an attorney, contact us online or call (843) 552-6011 today.