We’ve all seen the detailed investigations that accompany TV shows like Law and Order, CSI, and Bones. Strong evidence is crucial in any legal case, and the importance of preserving evidence after a truck accident case is no different.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may need to prove that the other driver was at fault—and to do that, you’ll need to demonstrate your case for compensation based on evidence. If you can show the other party was responsible, you could secure damages for your losses.
What Is Considered Evidence?
Evidence plays a crucial role in determining fault when you are working to prove an accident injury claim. A truck accident lawyer will help you collect evidence to show how the accident happened, demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, and show how the crash affected you as a victim.
Almost every form of documentation related to the accident can be used as evidence in a truck accident case. Some essential items will be:
- Pictures from the scene
- Hospital records and bills for treatment
- The accident report
- Medical reports from your doctor for follow-up care
- The name of the other driver and their insurance information
- Names of witnesses that may have seen the accident
- Anything that might support your injury case
If you talk to witnesses, try to write down a few notes about what they said. If you decide to hire an injury lawyer, it will help you relay your story to your attorney.
Do I Need Rubber Gloves and Evidence Bags?
No, you won’t need special evidence bags and rubber gloves. We can offer some handy tips to make your collection and organization better.
Begin a notebook about your accident and injuries. Start with a written description of the accident as you remember it. Include as many details as you can. This written record will help you explain your case if you hire a personal injury lawyer.
Jot down appointments, tests, and notes about what the doctor says during meetings. Get into the habit of tracking everything in one notebook.
Leave a Paper Trail
Put every piece of paper involving your accident into a file or even a shoebox. The general rule is to keep everything relating to your injury, including your receipt for lunch in the hospital cafeteria while waiting for an appointment.
Depending on how organized you are, you may want to use a small file envelope with separate sections for medical bills, receipts, or notices from your employer.
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
If you could move around at the scene, hopefully, you used your cell phone to capture images right after the accident. The police may also take a few pictures.
If your injuries were too severe, it’s not too late. You can return to the scene later to snap pictures of the area where your accident occurred. Try to arrive around the same time of day as your accident with similar weather. Take photos of the area, including road signs, obstructions to visibility, nearby buildings, and the road condition.
Suppose an accident investigator needs to reconstruct your accident. In that case, these images will help them gain an accurate visualization of the scene.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Truck Accidents FAQs
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If you’re at the scene and trying to collect the information from the truck driver and they aren’t cooperating, don’t push the issue. They’re upset, too, and likely not thinking clearly. Police will collect the information, and you will have access to it later.
When feasible, the police may also take pictures of the vehicles and a few limited views from the area. Images may be available with the accident report. You can request a copy of your accident report using the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) online portal.
I Have My Evidence – Now What?
Follow up on any medical problems from injuries caused by the accident. It is crucial that you attend appointments, get recommended testing, and complete prescribed physical therapy.
Call your vehicle insurance carrier as soon after the accident as you can. You won’t have to give them many details yet, but you do need to notify them that there was an accident.
The laws can be confusing when filing a personal injury claim. The driver’s insurance may contact you and attempt to get you to settle for a low amount. The full extent of your injuries may not be evident yet, so it is best to wait to accept a settlement only after you understand the expected costs of your future care.
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Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is up to you if you want to hire a lawyer, but having a lawyer on your side can be greatly beneficial in a truck accident case. These accidents can be complex, as the trucking company could be liable for your damages—and you may be facing a major company on the other side of the negotiating table.
The truck accident attorneys from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers are familiar with truck accidents. We can guide you through the process of filing an injury claim. From your first complimentary consultation through your settlement or a court trial, we will be by your side fighting for your rights. Contact our team for your free case review today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
