Unlocking the Secrets: Documenting Evidence After a Truck Crash
Are you prepared if a truck accident occurs in New Jersey? Documenting evidence after such an incident is crucial. A Shrewsbury truck accident attorney can help you navigate this challenging process.
After a truck accident, evidence like photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries can be vital. Remember, the moments following a truck accident are critical for preserving evidence.
Quick Summary
Below is an overview of the critical points of this blog article.
- After a truck accident, gather information about the truck driver, police reports, photos of the scene, black box data, injury photos, dash cam footage, witness statements, medical records, photos of vehicle damage, and your account of the accident. Store this evidence carefully to avoid losing it before filing your claim.
- To document evidence after a truck accident in New Jersey, gather crucial documents like the police report, the other driver’s information, witness statements, photos of the accident, and medical records. It’s also important to preserve the evidence properly and act quickly if you suspect evidence tampering.
- Gathering evidence after a truck accident is crucial for several reasons. It helps determine who caused the accident, strengthens your case in court, proves the extent of your injuries and damages, supports your insurance claims, protects you against false claims, and gives you peace of mind during a challenging time.
- Keep all evidence from a truck accident for as long as possible, especially in New Jersey, where you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Legal proceedings can be lengthy, so hold your evidence to be safe.
- Spoliation of evidence is when someone messes with or hides important evidence for a legal case. This is a big deal, especially with evidence from a truck accident, and can lead to serious legal trouble for the person who did it.
- If evidence is messed with or destroyed after a truck accident, it can make legal actions harder. Act fast by documenting everything, calling your lawyer, informing the police, gathering more evidence, and preparing for a legal fight to protect your case.
What Important Evidence That Should Be Gathered After a Truck Accident?
Here are some vital evidence and documents to collect after a truck accident:
- Information about the truck driver
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Data from the truck’s black box
- Pictures of your injuries right after the accident
- Dash cam and surveillance videos
- Statements from witnesses
- Medical records, including expenses, reports, and visits
- Photos of any damage to your vehicle
- Your account of the accident and its impact on your daily life and work
Along with collecting the evidence mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to store it correctly to prevent losing important information before you file your claim.
How to Document Evidence After a Truck Accident in New Jersey?
Truck driving has unique safety concerns for the driver and other vehicles nearby. The large size of a truck, like an eighteen-wheeler, makes it harder to drive and pass on the highway, leading to significant collisions. While not always deadly, truck accidents should be taken very seriously.
It’s essential to handle them carefully to avoid future physical issues and to get the support you need when filing a claim. Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be challenging, especially because trucking insurance companies often move quickly to limit their liability.
After a truck accident, gathering the right documents promptly is crucial. Even though you may be shaken, try your best to collect and document the following before seeking legal advice:
A Detailed Police Report
Remain at the accident site. The police or other officials will create a report that explains when and where the crash occurred. Ask for a copy of this report to keep for your records if you need it as evidence for your claim. Also, get the police officer’s name and badge number at the accident site.
Information From the Other Driver
Collect the other driver’s details, such as their full name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company, agent’s name, and insurance policy number.
Statements From Witnesses
Obtain the names, phone numbers, and other contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident. Write down what they say about what happened, as these statements can be necessary evidence for telling your side of the story.
Photos of the Accident
Take photos of the accident scene, any damage to your property, and any injuries you have. Use your phone to capture these images. Photos can show how the accident occurred and who was responsible.
They provide strong evidence that is difficult to dispute, especially if the truck driver’s insurance company tries to challenge your claim. Be sure to take thorough and detailed photos.
Medical Records for Any Treatment
Even if you don’t see any physical injuries, seeing a doctor after a truck accident is essential. Keep all records from your visit, including X-rays, scans, diagnoses, bills, and treatment instructions. Some injuries may not show up immediately, so having medical records is crucial for making a claim.
Truck accidents are not the same as regular car crashes, so they need special attention. You’ll review these records with your lawyer, who will assist you throughout the claims process. Some evidence can be complex for people like you to collect and document independently. This is where a Shrewsbury truck accident attorney can help.
Data From the Black Box
Most commercial trucks have electronic modules, often called “black boxes.” These boxes can store the driver’s duty record, showing how long they drove, their routes, stops, and other important information. Experts can extract this data, and your truck accident attorney can help you.
Truck Inspection Reports
If the trucking company didn’t properly inspect and maintain the truck, that’s essential evidence for your case. For example, this is crucial information if the brakes failed because of poor maintenance and caused an accident.
Getting these truck inspection reports can be challenging unless you go through the legal process of discovery, which happens after a lawsuit is filed.
Alcohol and Drug Tests
Many truck drivers don’t drink alcohol or use drugs before driving, but some do not act responsibly. If the police think the driver is drunk or on drugs, they will probably ask for a sobriety test. Your lawyer can ask for a copy of this report. Your lawyer can also hire a toxicologist to explain the test results to the jury if needed.
Accident Reconstructionist Testimony
If there’s uncertainty about how the accident occurred, your lawyer might consult an accident reconstructionist. This expert uses evidence like skid marks, debris patterns, and road conditions to understand what happened in your case.
What is the Importance of Gathering Evidence Following a Truck Accident?
Evidence includes photos, witness statements, medical records, police reports, and other relevant information that can help prove fault or establish damages after an accident. Here are some reasons why collecting evidence after a truck accident is so important:
Establishing Fault
One important reason to collect and keep evidence is to determine who caused the truck accident. Evidence like damage to cars, injuries, skid marks, and surveillance videos can help lawyers, accident experts, and investigators understand what happened and who was to blame for the crash.
Legal Proceedings
Also, collecting and keeping evidence after a truck accident can help you prove your side in a personal injury case. Having strong evidence strengthens your case against the person you’re suing. This improves your chances of getting the best result in your case.
Proving Damages
You should collect lots of evidence to show how much you were hurt, the damage to your property, and all the losses from the accident. This evidence helps you persuade the insurance company or court about the full extent of what happened to you.
Supporting Insurance Claims
Filing a claim for injuries after a truck accident can be challenging. The insurance company might try to pay you less than you deserve or deny your claim altogether. You’ll need strong evidence to prove your claims and strengthen your case.
Protecting Against False Claims
The other party or the insurance company might try to twist the facts of the case. Sometimes, the truck driver at fault might even make false claims against you. But you can protect yourself by using solid evidence from the accident scene to fight against false accusations.
Peace of Mind
Anyone can be in a truck accident. It can affect you financially, emotionally, and physically. After a truck accident, having the right documents, facts, and evidence for your case can give you the security, confidence, and peace of mind you need.
How Long Should I Keep Evidence Related to My Truck Accident?
It’s a good idea to keep all evidence from a truck accident for as long as you can. This evidence might be needed if there are legal proceedings, which can take a long time.
Keep evidence from a truck accident for at least two years in New Jersey because the State has a two-year limit for personal injury claims. This means you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit.
What is Spoliation of Evidence?
Spoliation of evidence means destroying, changing, or hiding evidence important for a legal case, investigation, or argument. Doing this with evidence from a truck accident is a serious issue and can have legal consequences for the person responsible. If evidence is purposely destroyed or changed, it can lead to penalties, fines, or criminal charges.
What to Do If Evidence is Tampered With or Destroyed?
If evidence was tampered with or destroyed after a truck accident, it can greatly affect any legal actions that might happen later. Right after the accident, you might be shocked and busy looking after your passengers and your vehicle at the scene. But try your best to gather and check all the details at the scene. Try to:
- Document Everything. Take photos of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage, tire marks, injuries, and other vital details.
- Call Your Lawyer. Talk to your Shrewsbury truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you understand the legal process.
- Tell the Police. Tell the authorities right away if you think someone has messed with evidence. They can look into it and determine who is responsible for destroying the evidence.
- Gather Any Other Evidence. If there are any more pieces of evidence, like statements from witnesses or photos, gather and keep them. This evidence can help your case.
- Get Ready for a Legal Fight. If evidence has been messed with or destroyed, it’s harder to prove your case. Prepare for a legal fight and work closely with your lawyer to strengthen your case.
If you think evidence has been tampered with or destroyed after a truck accident, act fast. By taking quick action, you can get compensation and make those responsible face consequences.
Don’t Let Time Slip Away
If you’ve been in a truck accident in New Jersey, Kreizer Law is here to help. Our trusted Shrewsbury truck accident attorney understands the complexities of documenting evidence after such incidents. We can guide you through the process, ensuring that all crucial evidence is collected and preserved.
With Kreizer Law on your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Kreizer Law today for a free consultation. We can also assist you with Burn Injury, Face Injury, Foot Injury, and Knee Injury. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
