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How Can Your Lawyer Preserve Evidence for a Truck Accident Claim?

How Can Your Lawyer Preserve Evidence for a Truck Accident Claim?

Shapiro Law Team August 21, 2023 Personal injury,Trucking Accidents

Accidents involving large trucks can end in catastrophe. Injuries succumbed from such accidents can range in severity, from mild to fatal. If you or a loved one was involved in a semi or cargo truck collision, you’re entitled to securing the best possible compensation.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, don’t hesitate to call Shapiro Law Team. An experienced truck accident attorney will be waiting for you on the other line, ready to discuss your case.

Your Rights After a Truck Accident

You have the right to seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses following a truck accident. Protect your rights by immediately filing a police report, itemizing your damages, and getting medical attention right away—no matter how minor your injuries may seem. Seemingly small injuries can lead to fatal outcomes if ignored. Damages may include:

  • Medical care — including bills, surgeries, doctor visits, and mental health services
  • Lost wages — including the first day you miss work and future lost earnings
  • Pain and suffering – including physical pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Once you get the medical attention you need, seek legal help from an experienced personal injury lawyer. Hiring an attorney from Shapiro Law Team will propel your case into receiving the best possible compensation and outcome. Call for a free consultation to speak with an attorney today.

Common Truck Accident Causes

Truck accident injuries can lead to fatal outcomes. In 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that approximately 4,998 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes. Many medical professionals observe injuries like broken bones, head trauma, and even paralysis. These types of accidents can result from a range of causes, like brake failure, blind spots, and driver error.

Identifying the cause is essential, as it helps establish liability for the accident.

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What You Need to Document After a Truck Accident

If you’re the victim of a truck accident, then you should document your case straight away. Keeping tabs on your expenses, losses, and damages will significantly increase the final amount of compensation you receive post-case.

1. Your Expenses and Losses

Keep track of medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, and any other financial losses incurred as a result of the accident. This will help determine your maximum amount of compensation.

2. Your Injuries

Make sure you’re keeping records of any injuries obtained from this accident. Remember to seek medical help right away; if you don’t do this, it will raise the eyebrows of insurance companies.

3. Vehicle Damage

Evidence of vehicle damage is crucial. Photographs in conjunction with the police report will help convey the impact of the accident.

4. Pain and Difficulties With Daily Activities

If you’re struggling with day-to-day activities, you must make that known. Document everything you’re struggling with due to your truck collision.

5. Communications With the Trucking Company or Insurer

Any amount of communication you have with the trucking company or insurer must be documented. Don’t say too much when communicating with these entities, as anything you say can be misinterpreted and held against you later.

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How to Preserve Evidence After an Accident in Phoenix

1. Photo Evidence

There’s no stronger piece of evidence than photographic evidence. Ensure your photos are clear, and don’t forget to snap photos of the semi or cargo truck. And don’t just focus on the vehicles. Get pictures of the location to collect evidence of potential property damage.

2. Witness Statements

Witnesses see what you don’t. Following the trucking accident, preserve evidence in the form of concrete witness statements. These statements are incredibly important in determining fault and helping you win the max amount of compensation.

3. Driver’s Records

Obtaining the at-fault driver’s records can help your case if the trucker has a history of reckless or negligent driving.

4. Medical Records

Presenting medical records will do wonders for your case. From doctor visits to any medical devices needed proceeding with the accident, keep a meticulous record of your medical necessities.

5. Driver Cell Phone Data

Cell phone records and data can be used to demonstrate distracted driving. If the records show that the truck driver was talking on the phone, liability will likely fall on them.

6. On-Board Electronic Data Records

These are like the black boxes of trucks. Electronic data recorders capture important information like speed and the use of a seat belt.

7. Truck Maintenance Records

Truck maintenance records may reveal if the truck was properly maintained. If it wasn’t, this negligence could be the main cause of your accident.

How the Other Party May Try to Avoid Liability

The other party may try to avoid liability if they believe you were at fault. You could be held liable for a truck accident if you failed to acknowledge the truck driver’s blind spot or cut them off. Big rigs take a lot longer to brake than cars, so an abrupt lane change could end in an accident.

How Can an Attorney Prepare Your Truck Accident Claim?

Navigating the legal proceedings of a trucking accident can be frustrating, confusing, and even detrimental. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could lose out on a significant amount of compensation. Instead of speaking with your insurance company, let Shapiro Law Team do the talking for you. Don’t miss out on securing a max settlement amount, and leave the hard stuff to our lawyers at Phoenix’s go-to law firm.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Too Long to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Truck Accident

Even though you have the right to seek compensation, that right doesn’t last forever. In Arizona, you have just two years to file a personal injury claim after a truck accident. Recover your losses within the statute of limitations by contacting an experienced lawyer at Shapiro Law Team today.

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Contact Arizona’s Personal Injury Lawyers

Everyone needs a helping hand, especially when it comes to car accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi, bus, or cargo accident, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Shapiro Law Team. Call now for a free, confidential consultation in Phoenix or Scottsdale.

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