Truck crashes are seldom easy. In comparison, car crashes are usually minor in terms of damage and injuries because large commercial trucks usually cause extensive damage and injuries to their occupants compared to other cars. And more so, it is a complicated issue to find out what caused the crash. This is the reason as to why it is necessary to hire a truck accident lawyer. Essentially, these are attorneys who understand how to investigate relentlessly with the help of specialized modes and sources of evidence and standards of investigations to find the truth behind them.
This is how a truck accident lawyer in Florida conducts an investigation on the complex crash case in order to build a successful legal representation.
Black Box Data Recovery
A majority of commercial trucks are ready with the Event Data Recorder (EDR), usually known as the black box. This device records essential data regarding the work of the truck and the behavior of the driver right before, during, and after an accident. This will be Speed at moment of impact, Brake, Sudden acceleration or deceleration, Steering inputs, and Hours of service (engine on/off times).
Hours of Service and Driver Logs Violations
The federal law (FMCSA regulations) mandates that truck drivers carry out stringent hours-of-service regulations to avoid fatigue. These regulations restrain the time between driving and rest. The records of the electronic logging device (ELD) or the log books that are on paper will be reviewed by the lawyers to know whether the driver had violated the allowed number of hours or written false entries. Any infringement can not only fault but also can demonstrate negligence of the trucking company that was unable to implement secure schedules.
Truck Maintenance/ Inspector Records
Truck accidents are also very common due to poor maintenance of the vehicle. Broken tires, defective brakes, steering issues, or lights failure may cause disastrous collisions. A lawyer will ensure that he has the maintenance history of the truck, the inspection reports and the logs of the truck repair to see whether the truck was in a road worthy condition. Trucking companies could have also caused the accident by failing to carry out much-neede repairs on their trucks, or failing to conduct the necessary inspection.
Employment and Driver Qualification Records
Did the driver have a license? Were they violators and accident-prone? Accident truck lawyers will research the employment file of the driver, such as the background checks, training, drug test results etc. The mere fact that the firm employed an unskilled or a hazardous driver can be used to rival negligent recruiting or management.
Accident Scene Investigation and Expert Analysis
Serious cases can also resort to the placing of accident reconstruction experts at the crash scene by the attorneys. These experts operate on physical facts (skid marks, debris, vehicle positioning etc.) and digital models to reconstruct the events of the crash. Video recordings with surveillance cameras, a dash-cam, and witness testimonies are also collected to give more background information. Such a combination of evidence will prove to be critical in dismantling insurance company defenses or misformed police reports.
The Importance of This
Truck crashes are usually a matter involving several actors such as drivers, companies, people in charge of maintenance, even packaging freights. It does not take pictures or testimonies to be guilty of negligence. Experienced truck accident attorney employs powerful investigatory resources and legal tactics to create an effective case to win compensation.
