Evidence to Gather After a Truck Accident in Chicago
Seeking compensation in a truck collision can be a complex process. The tremendous size and weight of commercial vehicles can lead to catastrophic collisions, resulting in severe injuries and substantial property damage. Proving liability is often an intricate matter involving multiple parties.
One of the key factors in building a strong truck crash case is obtaining robust evidence. To do that, knowing what truck accident evidence to gather is crucial. For example, understanding who might be responsible for the crash and the legal help available to you is important.
The team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. proudly represents injured truck accident victims as they seek justice for their injuries. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you collect the evidence you need to prove your personal injury case and recover compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses. Contact us today to learn more.
What Evidence Should Be Preserved After a Truck Accident in Chicago?
Preserving evidence is the key to any successful personal injury claim, but it is even more crucial in truck accident cases. These collisions do not solely involve the truck driver but also the trucking company, and sometimes the truck’s maintenance providers and the cargo loading company. Each of these parties could be held responsible. Each of these potentially liable parties will likely attempt to limit their liability, and solid evidence may be the only way to hold them accountable.
From the moment they learn about the crash, the trucking company will begin working with investigators and attorneys to collect evidence to try to counter your claim. You need to act swiftly to gather and protect any evidence that supports your version of events.
Types of Evidence to Preserve
There will be a wide range of evidence to support your claim following the collision, but it may not be available for long. It is crucial to collect what you can before it is lost or destroyed and your case is compromised. Some of the most compelling evidence available after a truck crash includes:
Police Report
If police respond to the scene, they may prepare an official accident report that records their initial impressions about how the accident happened and who is responsible.
Photographs and Videos
Pictures and videos of the accident scene can provide powerful visual confirmation of your truck accident claim. Capture damage to all vehicles involved, skid marks, crash debris, road and weather conditions, traffic signals and signs, and any visible injuries.
Dashcam and Surveillance Footage
It is not uncommon for security cameras from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams to capture motor vehicle collisions as they happen. However, this footage can be overwritten or lost relatively quickly, so it is essential to request it as soon as possible.
Witness Information and Statements
Third-party testimony can lend credibility to your claim and offer essential details about the events leading up to, during, and after the crash. Collect names and contact information of any witnesses on the scene.
Medical Records
After an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Truck crashes tend to cause much more serious injuries compared to typical car accidents. Medical professionals can help document your injuries and establish a connection between them and the collision. Medical records that can help establish your personal injury claim could include:
- Emergency room records
- Physician notes
- Hospital bills
- Surgical reports
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription records
- Medical bills
Truck-Specific Evidence
Truck crashes often involve a variety of unique forms of evidence, due to the comprehensive state and federal regulations that govern commercial vehicles. It is essential to seek the following when pursuing your claim:
- Driver logs
- Vehicle black box data
- Maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Cargo loading records
- Truck company safety record
- Truck driver license and training history records
- Dispatch communications records
This evidence may reveal that the truck driver violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) trucking regulations, the trucking company encouraged violations or engaged in negligent hiring practices, or one of the companies responsible for the truck’s inspection, maintenance, or cargo loading failed in their duties to ensure the vehicle’s safety. However, much of this information belongs to the trucking company, which means working with an attorney who can obtain the evidence before it is lost or destroyed is crucial.
What If Multiple Parties Caused the Truck Accident?
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to share responsibility for truck collisions, including the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck maintenance company
- The truck manufacturer
- The cargo loader
- Another driver
- A government entity
Determining liability can be complicated when multiple parties may have contributed to the crash. These parties may further complicate things by disputing liability. This is why it is essential to work with an experienced truck crash attorney to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible.
Choosing the Right Truck Accident Law Firm Near You
The truck crash law firm you choose to represent you can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case. Not all personal injury firms are equipped to handle the unique complications of a truck collision claim, so it is critical to look for the following when making your decision:
A Track Record of Substantial Settlements and Verdicts
Past case results speak for themselves, and they can tell you a lot about what the law firm you choose has to offer. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we have recovered over $2.5 billion on behalf of our clients, including over 350 settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million.
A Diverse and Knowledgeable Team
Personal injury law includes many distinct areas, each requiring a dedicated team to handle cases effectively. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our team consists of 20 top litigators and more than 35 skilled, resourceful, and experienced supporting staff members, all of whom are equipped to tackle the complex challenges that truck crash cases present.
Experience with Truck Accident Cases
Truck crash claims must be processed quickly, or key evidence can be lost or destroyed. When choosing a law firm to represent you, look for one that is well-versed in how to swiftly gather evidence after an accident and prevent trucking companies from withholding or destroying the crucial truck-related evidence they have in their possession. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience and a proven track record of success in these cases, including a $14 million settlement we won on behalf of a Lombard client who was severely injured in a truck crash in 2012 and a $12.2 milllion jury verdict recovered for a truck driver who was injured in a truck collision on I-70 in 2018.
Contact a Chicago Truck Accident Attorney
If you have suffered injuries in a truck crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced truck collision attorney to protect your rights. Our team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. will be your fiercest advocates as you seek justice and the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.
