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Forensic analysis in truck accidents, such as black-box data findings, can reveal crash factors that tell a more complete story of how the collision occurred. These are critical pieces of evidence when proving another party is negligent and seeking compensation through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Inside Truck Accident Investigations and the Role Experts Play in Building a Strong Case
Expert witnesses often play a role in various stages of truck accident investigations, from determining the cause of an accident to attesting to the gravity of the victim’s injuries. Take a look at how they lend specialized knowledge to an investigation.
Accident Scene Analysis
Much evidence can be gathered directly from the accident scene, but sometimes, it takes an expert to connect the dots. A lawyer may call in experts to conduct a truck accident reconstruction using accident scene documentation, which can include:
- Pictures of the vehicle damage and surrounding area
- Traffic camera footage that captured the accident scene
- Black box data from the truck, which can reveal the truck’s speed at the time of the accident
- Eyewitness statements
- Police reports and recordings of 911 calls
- Cellphone data, which can help determine if distracted driving contributed to the accident
- Computer-aided design (CAD) drawings of the collision
Certain specialists, such as accident reconstructionists, engineers, and truck mechanics, can provide expert witness testimony to support a personal injury case.
Investigation of the Trucking Company and Truck Driver
Another thing a lawyer may review with an expert is the truck driver’s records and the trucking company’s records. They may hire experts in the trucking industry to determine if the truck driver and the trucking company followed industry standards, laws, and regulations. These compliance experts may look into:
- The truck driver’s log, training records, and commercial vehicle license
- The trucking company’s license and inspection reports
- The trucking company’s safety policies and procedures
Commercial vehicle collisions can lead to complicated legal cases. If investigations reveal a history of alcohol-impaired driving or violation of regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this evidence can help build a strong case.
Assessment of a Victim’s Injuries and Losses
Finally, expert witnesses can also attest to a truck accident victim’s injuries and their effect on their future. A truck accident attorney may hire medical and vocational rehabilitation experts to determine a victim’s current and future accident-related expenses. This is important because once accident victims accept a settlement offer, they usually cannot seek additional compensation later.
If you have a disability because of your injuries, you will likely require ongoing medical care, and you may not be able to work again. You will want to make sure you seek fair awards for these future losses. Expert witnesses can help make a case for compensation to cover your losses, including:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Ongoing medical care, such as rehabilitative therapy
- In-home aid and home modifications
- Property damage
Other experts can help a lawyer assign a monetary value to non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering and impaired quality of life.
Your Medical Records Will Help Build a Strong Case After a Truck Accident
You should see a doctor after a truck accident and follow through with your prescribed treatment plan. Your medical records can help your attorney connect your injuries and losses to the truck accident. Your physician’s prognosis will also go a long way to substantiate your compensation case, especially for future medical expenses.
The last thing you want is for an insurer to argue that you contributed to your injuries by delaying or forgoing necessary medical care. Protect your health and case by doing everything possible to reach your maximum medical recovery. Save all your medical bills, receipts, and records. Also, make it a point to attend all your doctor’s appointments and report any developing symptoms to your doctors.
Truck Accident Investigations Take Time, So Act Quickly to Start Your Case
It takes time to build a strong personal injury case. Between investigating a truck accident and consulting experts, your lawyer has no time to waste. The sooner you start, the better for your attorney and you.
This will help you meet California’s statute of limitations deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, which is generally two years from the accident date, as CCP § 335.1 states.
KJT Law Group Can Call in Experts to Build a Strong Truck Accident Case for You
You don’t have to build your truck accident case alone. Much of the required evidence will likely be difficult to obtain without the help of a truck accident lawyer and experts.
KJT Law Group can handle the legal work while you focus on your health. Call us today at (818) 507-8525 for a free initial consultation.
