Truck accidents can be devastating — causing destruction to vehicles, serious physical harm, and even psychological injuries. Because of the repercussions that can be faced financially and otherwise, it’s important to gather sufficient truck accident evidence that demonstrates the negligence of the truck driver or truck company.
There are certain types of standard proof that can be used in any type of accident. One of the most common is a crash report. This can be obtained by contacting the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT). Keep in mind that this report costs $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy.
Additionally, the person requesting a copy must be able to provide at least two of the following:
Crashes that are investigated by law enforcement require those involved to fill out a Texas Peace Officer’s crash report. These are completed when police respond to the crash and it’s obvious at least $1,000 worth of damage has occurred and/or there has been an injury or death.
Witness Statements:
Another common standard of proof is eyewitness testimony. Sometimes witnesses of a truck accident will provide a statement to police, who make note of it in the crash report.
But if the victim or someone else was able to get names and phone numbers from those who witnessed what happened (or those who can provide any type of relevant information), they can be contacted later on. In a serious accident, it’s best to have an attorney make contact.
Photographs:
Pictures are yet another standard of proof that can be helpful in any type of accident case. It could be that the victim was able to take photographs. If someone else (such as a bystander) got some pictures and had provided his/her contact information, those pictures could be requested later on. Again, it’s a good idea to have an attorney handling these details when the injuries from the accident were severe.
Electronic Onboard Recording Devices:
Some types of truck accident evidence are unique to truck accident cases. One example is an electronic onboard recording device, located on most semis. This device records information that could help establish fault. For instance, it may indicate the speed of the truck at the time of the crash.
But most often, it keeps track of the amount of driving time. This could reveal the driver exceeded the number of driving hours allowed or a failure to take a 30-minute mandatory break after a certain amount of time behind the wheel. An attorney can help in getting this truck accident evidence.
Trucking Records:
There are numerous other types of records that can be obtained. The driver’s personnel file and inspection/maintenance reports on the truck itself are some examples. Again, these are usually obtained by an attorney.
When it comes to some of the more unique types of proof — such as electronic data or trucking records — it may even necessitate a truck accident lawyer like Julie Johnson sending a letter of spoliation to the truck company. This is a notice that requires them to preserve all truck accident evidence. To get this process started as soon as possible, call 214-290-8001.
