Protect Your Rights by Preserving Accident Evidence
After any truck or commercial vehicle accident, it is important to immediately begin to collect and preserve all relevant and necessary evidence. This includes evidence from the scene, evidence regarding any injuries and property damage incurred in the accident, and information about the driver and the trucking company. Knowing how to preserve this evidence can be critical to the success of your case.
At the law firm of Nagle & Associates, P.A., our attorneys help our clients understand evidence preservation and its importance in any personal injury case involving a truck or commercial vehicle accident. We will immediately begin investigating the accident and creating strategies designed to help you obtain maximum compensation from all parties responsible for your injuries and losses. Contact us for a free initial consultation by calling toll-free at (800) 411-1583.
Evidence in Truck and Motor Vehicle Accidents
In any accident, there is typically plenty of evidence that is left behind that will help investigators understand what happened, how it happened and who was at fault. For the victims of these accidents, proper gathering and preservation of this evidence is critical in obtaining positive case results. The preservation of evidence includes:
- Photographing the accident scene, including photos of all vehicles involved
- Obtaining and securing North Carolina State Patrol accident documents, photos and videos
- Requesting immediate inspection of the tractor and the trailer by a qualified expert
- Securing personal photographs of your vehicle on 35mm and digital film
- Securing photographs of all visible injuries
- Downloading black box evidence from the truck's data recorder to learn information about pre-accident and post-accident speeds and conditions
- Sending an evidence spoliation letter to the trucking company, demanding the preservation of trip inspection reports, driver's logs and other pertinent evidence
- Performing research on the trucking company, their drivers and their safety history
- Securing early depositions of the commercial vehicle driver to collect honest information and answers before lawyers for the defense have time to guide testimony
- Collect maintenance records for the commercial vehicle
- Identify all shippers, freight brokers or cargo handlers who share legal responsibility for the victims’ expenses and damages
The preservation of evidence should always be done with assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands the rules and regulations regarding truck and commercial vehicle accidents. While preserving evidence, it is important to be thorough and detailed.
Additionally, it is never a good idea to speak with representatives from trucking companies or insurance carriers that are involved in the accident and may be looking to minimize or eliminate their liability for the results of the accident.
After any truck or commercial vehicle accident, it is crucial to contact an attorney at Nagle & Associates, P.A., to begin your case in the right way. Call us toll-free for a free initial consultation at (800) 411-1583.
