A collision with a fully-loaded, 80,000 lb. semi tractor-trailer often leads to serious injuries or death for passenger vehicle occupants. Unfortunately, many truck accidents are caused by large trucks or their drivers. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a commercial truck crash, obtaining the right records can help support your claim for compensation. Contact Bross, McAllister & Williams, LLC in Atlanta or Suwanee today for strong and compassionate representation in a truck accident case.
Why Choose Our Firm?
We are well-versed in all matters of personal injury, including commercial truck accidents. Our firm has skilled Gwinnett County truck accident lawyers and staff certified in medical coding, billing, counseling, and assistance.
We have a history of success, recovering millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We practice clear, proactive communication with our clients, always keeping them up-to-date on the status of their claims.
What Evidence Do You Need after a Truck Accident in Gwinnett County?
After a truck accident with serious injuries, it is crucial to document the crash to build a strong foundation for your claim. The following are among the most important records to obtain.
Police Report
The police officer who arrives at the scene of a truck accident will open an official police report documenting the investigation. The report will contain basic data, including the drivers and vehicles involved in the crash and insurance information for all parties. The officer should list any witnesses to the accident, possibly taking down their statements, and state whether anyone required emergency medical care and where injured persons were taken for treatment. The report may contain the officer’s initial conclusion about why and how the truck accident occurred.
Crash Report
Although it will have an impact, the officer’s opinion of how the crash occurred is not the final word in a truck accident case. An investigator may be brought in from the Department of Public Safety, particularly if the wreck involved multiple vehicles or other complications. These investigators specialize in determining causes of truck and bus accidents and conduct thorough investigations based on knowledge of federal regulations. The crash report from such an investigation will be vital to your claim.
Open Records
Obtain police departments open records regarding your truck accident, in addition to the police report. These records may provide additional information that can be helpful to your tractor-trailer accident claim, particularly if the police report contains inaccuracies and errors. Request transcripts from the emergency department that received the 911 call to help identify potential witnesses who may have left the scene before the police arrived.
What Are the Main Causes of Large Truck Crashes?
In its Large Truck Crash Causation Study Analysis Brief, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigned the critical reason for the crash to large trucks and their drivers in 55 percent of the 120,000 large truck accidents studied. The top 10 factors contributing to wrecks assigned by researchers to large trucks and their drivers were:
Brake problems
Traffic flow interruption (heavy traffic, earlier wreck on the road)
Prescription drug use
Traveling too fast for conditions
Driver unfamiliarity with the roadway
Roadway problems
Required to stop before a crash (traffic light, crosswalk)
After a serious truck accident, your best course of action is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Atlanta as soon as possible. Contact Bross, McAllister & Williams, LLC for dedicated legal advocacy in your truck accident claim.
