Truck Crash

If you were involved in a truck crash with a big rig, tractor-trailer, delivery truck, or another large commercial vehicle, it’s vital to consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately and to obtain all relevant truck accident documents. 

Each year, roughly 6 million traffic accidents occur in the US. The results are devastating, with 3 million people suffering injuries. While there are certainly more cars on the roads than large trucks, these trucks still account for a significant portion of road accidents. 

What’s frightening is that these types of crashes are on the rise. Statistics show that truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009.

An experienced attorney can strengthen your case and defend your rights when negotiating with the truck company’s insurance. After a truck crash, here is all of the documentation you will need to help build your case.

Your Insurance Policy

After finding an experienced lawyer to work with, you will need to begin collecting all of your truck crash documents. 

First, your lawyer will want to see your vehicle insurance policy. This indicates what your plan covers.

If you don’t have an actual copy of your auto insurance card, it can still be obtained. If you do not have car insurance, you and your attorney can discuss alternative options. 

Evidence of Your Premium Payments

Your lawyer will also require proof that you’re up to date with the payments of your auto insurance premiums. Insurance companies typically send bills and statements to notify you when your premiums are due. 

Your truck accident lawyer will most likely ask to see that correspondence, along with proof of payments. That proof may be through receipts, e-mail confirmations, and so on. 

The goal here is to confirm that your policy is, in fact, active. 

Police Report

Typically, the police who show up at the scene of the accident draft an accident report. This report may include a diagram showing where you and the truck collided.

In the report, the police also give their initial impression of what they believe caused the accident. Secondly, they summarize what happened based on the information they are given by the parties involved and witnesses. 

The information contained in an accident report is highly beneficial in helping your lawyer understand your case fully. Give your attorney a copy of this truck accident document, as well as any other documents the officers provided you with.

If you do not have this report, you or your attorney can always request it at a later time. However, it’s ideal to get a copy prior to your consultation. 

Details Exchanged at the Scene of the Accident

There are precautions and recommended steps that should be taken immediately after the accident while still at the scene. 

For instance, you and the other involved parties may have exchanged information. This includes phone numbers and proof of insurance. 

Other details you should provide are the other vehicle’s registration number, the driver’s insurance provider, and their driver’s license. 

Tickets Issued at the Scene of the Accident

If the police issued any tickets related to the accident, you need to show them to your attorney. Some of the possible tickets the police may issue include:

• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Running a stop sign
• Improper lane change
• Failure to yield

Photographs and Videos

Taking photos and videos of the accident scene is always a good idea. These can serve as very valuable evidence during your cases.

Depending on the severity of the accident, your vehicle may have suffered major damage. As long as you have photos and videos to prove this damage, your attorney will have an easier time building your case.

The footage that was taken can also indicate other factors that could have contributed to the accident, like poor roadways, construction, or bad weather. 

E-mail and Letter Correspondance

There’s always a chance that representatives from the trucker’s insurance company will contact you following your accident. When they do, they’ll want to obtain a statement regarding the accident.

Note that you do not have to provide a statement until you have spoken with your lawyer first. Similarly, you do not need to give a statement to your auto insurance company either. 

However, if you already provided a statement, you have the right to retain a copy of anything that was sad. Give this truck crash document to your attorney. 

Notify your attorney the moment an insurance adjuster contacts you.

Medical Records

If you sustained injuries and received medical attention, retain copies of all of your visits. 

Show these truck accident documents to your attorney. These medical records indicate the level of injury and how long it will take to recover from them. Don’t forget to provide copies of psychological records as well if you sought psychiatric or psychological care following the accident. 

If you didn’t obtain the records, your lawyer can do it on your behalf. You will just need to provide written permission.

These records to prove the extent of your losses are vital in determining how much compensation you’re entitled to.

Proof of Employment and Income

Injuries sustained in an accident can keep you from work. As a result, you lose wages. 

Be sure to provide evidence of your pre-accident earnings, as well as the amount of time you missed work following the accident. 

Your direct superior can provide paperwork that confirms your place of employment and how much you would have been making if you were able to work.

Your attorney will then be able to calculate how much compensation you’re entitled to for lost wages.

Truck Crash Lawyer | Call Us For a Free Consultation

After you’ve been involved in a truck crash, one of the smartest things you can do is to hire an attorney to fight for your rights. To help build your case, you need to provide your attorney with the right truck crash documents.

Were you involved in a truck crash and need reliable legal representation? The Law Offices of Daniel Kim can help. We have recovered over $100 million for accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.