A collision involving a commercial truck can raise questions that may not arise in an ordinary vehicle accident. The investigation may need to look beyond the scene itself and examine the driver’s actions, the trucking company’s records, the vehicle’s condition, and other circumstances surrounding the crash. A Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer can review these details to help determine how the collision happened and which parties may be responsible.
Why Does a Truck Crash Require a Detailed Investigation?
A commercial truck may involve several parties, including the driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo handler, maintenance provider, or another business. Determining responsibility may therefore require more than reviewing a police report.
A lawyer may begin by examining how the collision occurred, where the vehicles were traveling, the road conditions, and the sequence of events. Photos, witness accounts, traffic footage, and vehicle damage may help establish what happened.
Information about evidence can also become important when records or other information are held by another party.
What Trucking Records May Be Reviewed?
Commercial trucking companies maintain records that can provide useful information about a crash. Records that may help clarify the crash include:
- Driver qualification and employment records
- Hours-of-service information
- Electronic logging device data
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- Cargo and loading documentation
- Dispatch and delivery records
- Driver training information
- Available communication records
Electronic logging devices can record driving-time information for drivers who are required to maintain records of duty status. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also requires applicable carriers to retain certain ELD records for six months.
Reviewing these records may help determine whether fatigue, scheduling, maintenance, or another issue played a role in the collision.
Could the Truck’s Condition Have Contributed?
Mechanical problems can sometimes become part of a truck accident investigation. Tires, brakes, steering components, lights, and other equipment may need to be examined when a mechanical issue is suspected.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidance requires applicable commercial motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles under their control. Records may document the dates and nature of inspections, repairs, and maintenance.
Preserving the truck before important evidence is altered or lost can therefore be an important consideration.
Whose Actions Could Have Contributed to the Crash?
The truck driver may be responsible when careless driving contributes to a collision. The investigation may involve other parties as well.
Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may examine the conduct of the trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo loader, or manufacturer. Multiple parties can potentially have different roles in causing an accident.
Florida’s comparative-fault law provides for damages to be apportioned according to each party’s percentage of fault in applicable negligence actions. Reviewing liability can help explain how responsibility may be evaluated in a personal injury claim.
What Evidence Can Help Explain the Crash?
A truck accident investigation may involve many sources of information.
Useful evidence can include:
- Photographs and videos from the scene
- Police or crash reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Vehicle damage documentation
- Truck inspection records
- Driver logs and ELD information
- Cargo records
- Traffic or surveillance footage
An early effort to identify and preserve relevant information can be particularly important when records are controlled by trucking companies or other businesses.
When Should a Truck Accident Be Investigated?
A detailed review may be especially useful when a collision causes serious injuries, the cause of the crash is disputed, several parties may share responsibility, or a commercial trucking company is involved.
A Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer can review the available information, identify potential sources of evidence, and help determine whether additional records may be relevant to the claim. Jacobson Injury Firm also provides information about damages in personal injury claims and other issues that may affect an accident case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records are important after a truck accident?
Can a trucking company be responsible for a crash?
Can truck maintenance records help prove fault?
Which Details Can Help Explain a Truck Accident?
Understanding the Investigation Process
Truck accident investigations can involve information from several people, companies, and sources. Reviewing that information carefully may help clarify the cause of the collision and the parties who may have contributed to it.
Jacobson Injury Firm offers free consultations for personal injury matters. Discuss the circumstances of your truck accident and learn what options may be available for your claim.
