If you or somebody you love has been injured in a crash caused by the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, then you will need to act quickly in order to preserve evidence. It is crucial that you receive the compensation you are entitled to after an incident like this occurs, but the reality is that evidence is crucial. Evidence also begins to disappear very soon after a truck crash happens. Here, we want to discuss steps that crash victims can take to preserve evidence both right after the incident as well as in the days and weeks that follow.
Gathering Evidence at the Scene of a Crash
The preservation of evidence after a crash involving a large commercial truck begins almost immediately. However, we do want to add this caveat – truck accident victims should not try to gather evidence if it is not safe to do so or if they have sustained any injuries that need immediate medical care. The number one priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of every person present at the crash scene.
However, if it is safe to do so, and if the victim does not need to seek medical care at that moment, they can begin preserving evidence that could help their truck accident claim. We always suggest that crash victims use their phones or another type of camera to take photographs of everything at the scene. This can include:
- All vehicle damage
- Debris laying around the scene
- Skid marks
- Traffic and weather conditions
- Federal identification numbers on the truck
- Any other evidence that could play a role
Additionally, it is crucial to get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the crash. This can include drivers and passengers in other vehicles as well as bystanders nearby who may have seen the incident. Truck crash victims should take note of any surveillance cameras they see nearby, including those on homes, traffic lights, businesses, etc.
Gathering Evidence in the Days and Weeks After a Crash
In the days and weeks that follow a truck crash, it is critically important for a victim to contact a skilled Philadelphia truck accident attorney to help them with their case. The reality is that investigating truck crashes can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. However, an attorney can use their resources to gather additional evidence that can help prove liability. This can include the following:
- Any video surveillance captured on nearby cameras
- Electronic control modules (EMCs) that record made about the truck’s trip, similar to how a flight recorder works for airplanes
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs) that keep track of specific data regarding the trucker’s hours of service
- Records related to vehicle inspection and maintenance kept by the trucking company
- Any camera footage from devices located on the truck
An attorney can also get involved early and send letters to the other parties involved to ensure that there is no spoliation of evidence. In other words, an attorney will work to make sure that other parties do not destroy, alter, hide, or withhold any evidence related to possible legal proceedings. If the insurance carriers refuse to offer a fair settlement in these cases, it may be necessary for a crash victim to file a personal injury lawsuit, and all of this evidence will be incredibly important for a jury.