Sources of Evidence in a Truck Accident Case

Vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks, such as eighteen wheelers and semi-trucks, are extremely dangerous and can result in fatal injuries to the victims. This is because of the large size and sheer weight of such trucks that make the collision with a comparatively smaller vehicle catastrophic. There are several forms of negligence on part of a truck driver that can lead to a truck accident, including:

• Dangerous maneuvers
• Distractions from a radio or GPS
• Drug use
• External distraction
• Fatigue
• Inadequate surveillance
• Inattention
• Over-the-counter drug use
• Speeding or traveling too fast for conditions
• Use of cell phone or any other handheld device

Getting solid evidence to support your claim can make a world of difference in getting the rightful compensation for your damages. An experienced and reliable truck accident attorney can work with you to gather evidence to support your claim and build a strong case against the responsible party.

Here we have shared a few ways for collecting evidence for your truck accident claim:

Driver Logbooks

According to the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all commercial truck drivers must keep a logbook of their routes. The information in logbooks should have details about the number of hours a truck has driven and how many stops they made during their commute. This is mandatory because one of the most common reasons for truck accidents is fatigue, which makes driver logbooks an important piece of evidence in accident cases.

For example, a driver can only stay on the road for no more than 11 hours during a single commute. If the logbook entries suggest that they have exceeded the daily driving limit, this point can be linked to driver fatigue and can be used in your truck accident case.

Black Box

A majority of today’s commercial trucks are equipped with devices for recording speed and location through GPS. With the help of data from a truck’s black box, you can obtain evidence that the driver violated company guidelines or trucking regulations at the time of the accident.

Social Media

The internet can provide crucial information related to both the trucking company and the driver. You can search for trucker’s social media, and find out their activity on their account during the time of the accident. For example, if the driver tweeted or commented on a post on social media just before the accident, it can be used as a piece of evidence that the trucker was involved in distracted driving.

Inexperienced Driver

Human error is another common factor leading to serious accidents on roadways. Often times, the accident are a result of driver’s inexperience. Federal regulations require companies to conduct proper background checks and scrutinize documentation to ensure the eligibility of the driver for the trucking job. Some records that can be used in your case include driver’s qualification and training documentation, previous accident record, and post-accident alcohol and drug test.

Truck accidents can be devastating and lead to many serious injuries. For making a claim for your damages, it is essential to work with a trucking accident attorney to make sure the right evidence is presented in the court to get maximum compensation. Contact Fisk & Monteleone Ltd. today at 815-209-9030 to schedule a free case consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.