A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 40 tons. When crashes happen, the consequences can be terrible. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 5,700 people were killed in semi-truck accidents in 2021 alone. If you were involved in a crash, it is imperative that you have the evidence to get justice—and the trucking company often has control over key evidence. Here, our Kansas City trucking accident lawyer provides an overview of the evidence that may be held by the truck company and explains what you need to do to get access to that information.
Evidence that the Trucking Company Holds
A trucking company often controls a wide array of evidence/information that could be relevant to your personal injury claim. Here are three of the most notable examples:
- Black Box Data: Also known as an Electronic Computer Module (ECM), a truck’s black box can play a vital role in reconstructing the events leading up to an accident. It is a digital record that provides an array of information, including speed, braking, and steering movements, moments before the incident.
- Driver Records: Driver records offer a historical perspective on the driver’s performance and adherence to traffic laws. These records—which include past violations, license suspensions, and any history of accidents—can be essential for evaluating the driver’s reliability and experience.
- Inspection Records: Inspection records are indicative of the vehicle’s maintenance history and compliance with safety standards. Inspections ensure that all components—from brakes to lighting systems—are in proper working condition.
Your Lawyer Can Take Action to Ensure the Company Turns Over Relevant Evidence
Unfortunately, you cannot simply rely on a trucking company to step up and willingly turn over all relevant evidence and information. A top-tier Kansas City semi-truck accident lawyer can help. Your attorney can take action to ensure the trucking company provides relevant evidence. To start, a lawyer will typically send a demand letter to the trucking company to clarify its duty to preserve records. Beyond that, a lawyer can take action during the discovery process to compel the trucking company to turn over vital evidence, including black box recording data, driver records, inspection records, and other relevant evidence.
Truck Accident Liability: Other Evidence is Key as Well
Of course, the trucking company does not control all of the relevant evidence. Injured victims should try to proactively preserve all other relevant evidence, including:
- The police report (accident report);
- Photographs of the crash scene;
- Photographs of the vehicle damage; and
- Eyewitness statements.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Kansas City Trucking Accident Attorney Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City trucking accident attorneys are aggressive advocates for justice. If you or your family member was hurt in an eighteen-wheeler crash, we are here to help. Get in touch with us by phone or send us a message to arrange your no-cost, no-obligation case review. From our Kansas City office, we advocate for semi-truck accident victims in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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