Anywhere you drive these days, it’s hard not to see a commercial vehicle or a big-rig sharing the road with you. Given the size of the haulers involved in a crash, when cars and trucks collide, the end result is usually catastrophic.
But did you know that car accidents and truck accidents can be as different as night and day, not only when you talk about the extent of driver and passenger injuries, but also when you consider the process of collecting evidence?
In a typical car accident, attorneys will gather witness statements, photographs of the vehicles involved, security camera footage, police reports, and more. When a commercial truck is involved, there are many more factors to consider.
Generally, the evidence falls into three categories:
DRIVER EVIDENCE: This includes the driver's qualifications file, training file, the hours of service documentation, the driver inspection records and post-collision drug and alcohol test results.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE EVIDENCE: This includes downloads of the onboard systems, maintenance history documentation, inspection history, and data GPS tracking systems.
CARGO EVIDENCE: This includes weight tickets, trip envelopes, dispatch instructions, delivery documents, and bills of lading.
The timeline is also key. In a big-rig accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations limit the amount of time some documents, like log books, need to be kept, so if you wait too long to consult an attorney, the evidence you need for a personal injury lawsuit may be gone.
After any type of commercial vehicle accident, it's extremely important to know what mistakes to avoid so you can receive a fair and proper settlement. Working with a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney can be your best move to get the justice you rightfully deserve. Contact St. Petersburg, Florida accident attorney J. Stanford Morse, P.A.
Call 727-347-7737 for more information.