How Are Truck Accident Investigations Conducted?

Truck accident investigations are conducted in stages, which may include:

1. Investigation of the accident scene
2. Collection of evidence
3. Review of any relevant records—including driving logs and other documents from the trucking company
4. Witness interviews
5. Collection of any data from the truck’s operating system
6. Review of damage to all vehicles

Additional stages may be necessary. The process may vary based on who conducts the investigation.

Who Investigates a Truck Accident?

Multiple parties may investigate your truck accident, including:

• The law enforcement officers who respond to the accident scene
• Your attorney
• A trucking company
• Insurance companies
• Experts hired by your attorney or the trucking company

Each investigator may seek to determine why the accident happened. Each party may have a bias, though. You may want to hire an attorney to represent your interests.

As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explains, further investigations occur when signs of impairment are present. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) may conduct testing in such instances.

What Do Truck Accident Investigators Look For?

Parties conduct truck accident investigations for several reasons. The primary reason is to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators may look for signs of:

• Driver impairment: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains the dangers of impaired driving—29 people die each day from drunk driving accidents. If a truck driver shows any signs of impairment, blood tests may confirm alcohol or drug use.
• Vehicle defects: Investigators will look for any defects in brakes, tires, or other truck components.
• Indicators of driver error: Driver error causes most truck accidents, per the FMCSA. Video footage and witness accounts may expose driver error.
• Violations of trucking regulations: Truck drivers must abide by industry regulations. Among other rules, truck drivers must take regular breaks from driving. Investigators will determine if the driver broke any regulations.

Investigators will also review the actions of the trucking company. These companies have several responsibilities. They must only hire qualified drivers and keenly monitor those drivers. They must provide up-to-date trucks and service those trucks regularly. A trucking company’s failures can contribute to accidents like yours.

You May Have Difficulty Investigating Your Accident

Truck accident victims may hire a personal injury attorney. When you consider the complexity of truck accident investigations, it’s easy to see why victims turn to a lawyer. If you handle your truck accident case alone, you may:

• Face pushback from insurance and trucking companies: Don’t expect these parties to share their investigation reports with you. They may be aware that you’re seeking coverage from them, so they may be uncooperative with you.
• Need to obtain evidence on your own: Do you have the time and know-how to conduct a thorough investigation? For many truck accident victims, the answer is “no.”
• Put significant strain on yourself and your loved ones: The effort you dedicate towards a truck accident claim may come at the expense of your wellbeing and that of your loved ones.

You’ll also have to negotiate with insurance companies yourself. If those negotiations don’t produce a fair recovery, your next option may be a lawsuit. A lawsuit may be even more daunting than an insurance claim.

Rather than worrying about these challenges, you can entrust your case to a personal injury law firm. Our team will handle every step of your claim. From investigation to settlement negotiations, we’ll do it all.

What Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for You?

Our team will:

• Conduct an independent investigation into your accident: We won’t rely on investigators employed by the trucking or insurance company. We’ll complete our own investigation with help from qualified experts.
• Seek a fair insurance settlement: If an insurance policy can cover your losses, we’ll seek a fair recovery.
• File and complete your lawsuit: Insurance may not cover losses from your truck accident. In this case, we’ll file and complete your lawsuit.
• Defend your rights: Trucking companies and insurers have substantial resources. They may use those resources to violate your rights. We won’t let them.

Our goal is to help you recover both physically and financially after a truck accident.

What Are Recoverable Losses in a Truck Accident Case?

Every truck accident victim suffers different losses. Recoverable losses in your case may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Lost earning power
• Pain and suffering
• Counseling
• Medications
• Vehicle repairs
• Replacement of damaged property

If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, we’ll seek appropriate coverage. Recoverable losses may include funeral expenses, loss of consortium, grief counseling, and other damages.

Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ Today to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case

Our team prides itself on accessibility to clients. We’ll lead your truck accident case in an open, empathetic manner. Review our client testimonials. They show how hard we fight for victims like you.

Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today at 1 (855) PRO-LAWYERS for a FREE consultation. A team member will answer your questions. Don’t wait to call; we may have a limited period to file your truck accident case.