It is important to begin a truck accident investigation right away because some evidence won’t last forever. You need supporting information to prove the cause of your accident and the cost of your damages. Furthermore, you don’t want the insurer to discredit your case. Pursuing an investigation as soon as possible upholds your right to compensation.
Beginning an Investigation Allows You to Gather Time-Sensitive Evidence
As noted, some evidence can degrade with time. For example, a witness’s testimony may become hazy as they forget certain details. Forensic evidence, such as skid marks, could erode––making it hard to determine who caused the collision.
Other pieces of evidence that you should promptly gather include:
Black Box Data
In truck accident cases involving commercial trucks, there’s a lot of evidence that could support your claim. This evidence can be collected from a truck’s data recorder (the black box). The device records relevant data, including data before, during, and after a truck accident.
Black box data can contain:
- The accident’s force of impact
- The speed of the vehicles involved
- The time and date of the collision
Black box data becomes overwritten after three to four weeks. Also, the truck company could delete this information to protect itself from liability. By promptly initiating a truck accident investigation, we can preserve this evidence and use it to bolster your claim. We can also send a spoliation letter to prevent the trucking company from discarding this evidence.
The Truck Itself
In your case, the other party’s truck may be crucial evidence. The truck may have been poorly maintained or even poorly designed, leading to the accident. An engineer can help your lawyer determine whether there was an issue with the truck itself. We want to hire this expert before the trucking company attempts to repair or discard the vehicle.
The Truck Driver
It may also be important for your lawyer to immediately hire an expert who can provide some insight into the truck driver’s physical and mental condition at the time of the accident. For instance, we can talk to a healthcare provider to learn whether substance abuse or intoxication could have caused your collision.
The Accident Report
The state only keeps accident reports on file for a certain period. We want this document to answer some important questions about your collision, such as its time and date. Sometimes, the attending police officer will include important information about the accident itself. For instance, if the trucker was arrested for drunk driving, this could bolster your claim.
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The Trucking Company May Also Be Starting Its Investigation Right Away
Many trucking companies and their insurance providers conduct their own investigations into truck accidents. They tend to begin their investigations immediately, and they also tend to come to their own conclusions.
If you and your attorney begin your investigation right away, you can keep up with the other side’s investigation and contradict their conclusions. You can also give yourself more time to delve into the trucking company’s history of accidents and hiring practices, which may be valuable evidence for your case.
Evidence Isn’t the Only Reason to Start a Truck Accident Investigation
Another time-sensitive aspect to consider is the state’s statute of limitations. You may need to file a lawsuit to recover damages from the trucking company. Investigating your case, interviewing witnesses, and seeking medical attention do not prolong this deadline.
You generally have two years to file your lawsuit, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10. If the insurer refuses to settle, you want to keep this option open. A lawyer can do more than uphold the statute of limitations; they can also investigate your case, consult witnesses, and build your claim.
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A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Manage Your Injury Claim
After your accident, you may be struggling with your injuries and family matters. You shouldn’t have to manage legal matters, too.
One of our Ohio truck accident attorneys can take over your entire investigation. For instance, they can consult with experts, send the spoliation letter, and interview eyewitnesses to bolster your case.
Your attorney can also:
- Collect and preserve invaluable evidence for your case
- Keep your case moving forward
- Check whether the driver or the trucking company committed any federal trucking violations
- Establish all of your damages with the insurer
- Establish the responsible party’s negligence
- File your claim
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Meet your case’s required deadline
Your lawyer will render services that meet your case’s many obligations.
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Contact Bressman Law for Your Free Case Review Today
It’s important to start your truck accident investigation as soon as possible. However, you don’t have to undertake this burden alone. A truck accident lawyer from our firm can accomplish this for you. Bressman Law has one goal: to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. With our 30-plus years of experience, you can trust us to champion your rights. To begin a free case review, call now.
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