Truck accidents in Houston can devastate their victims, leaving victims with severe injuries, extensive medical bills, and significant emotional trauma. And it’s not just a sporadic occurrence: According to the National Safety Council, in one recent year, 782 trucks were involved in fatal accidents in Texas, and the state ranked first in the nation for truck accident fatalities, almost double the number of the next-highest state.
Commercial trucks must abide by extensive federal and state regulations, and multiple parties may have played a role in your accident. However, proving these parties’ responsibility requires substantial evidence.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, once you call 911 and request both medical assistance and police presence, take photos of the accident from multiple angles. Try to capture all vehicles involved with clear images that show points of impact and damage. Don’t forget to photograph any visible injuries that you or your passengers sustained.
Collect contact information and statements from any witnesses who might have observed the accident, and take note of the road conditions, traffic signals, and weather circumstances that might have contributed to the crash.
Obtain the truck driver’s information, including their name, employer, and insurance details, as well as the truck’s DOT number and motor carrier number, which are typically visible on the side of the vehicle.
How Do Police Reports Factor Into Your Truck Accident Claim?
The official, on-scene police report serves as an unbiased account of the accident and can contain immediate statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses at the scene. The responding officer will note any citations issued or clear laws violated, and maybe even diagram the accident scene.
This preliminary report can go a long way toward indicating the at-fault party. Make sure to request a copy when you can.
Why Are Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and Black Box Data Crucial Evidence?
Modern commercial trucks contain a wealth of digital evidence: Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records show the driver’s hours of service and can reveal if they violated federal regulations by driving beyond legal time limits.
Additionally, the truck’s “black box” data records the driver’s speed, braking patterns, steering inputs, and other operational information. If this data reveals driving behavior that indicates negligence (such as speeding, distracted driving, or tailgating), you can use this evidence to establish liability. Many trucks also have on-board cameras that may have captured the accident itself or the driver’s behavior in the moments leading up to it.
What Medical Evidence Will You Need to Support Your Claim?
If you sustained serious injuries that forced you to see a doctor, the medical documentation from your appointment can help establish the extent of your injuries and link them to the truck accident. Insurance companies often question both aspects of your case to minimize your potential compensation, and a thorough doctor’s report can rebut their attempts.
X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans provide objective evidence of physical trauma; ongoing treatment plans and medication prescriptions establish the long-term consequences of your accident; surgical records can show the full amount of damage that you received; physical therapy and rehabilitation documentation will show your recovery efforts in the wake of your collision; and your mental health treatment records for trauma or emotional distress can quantify the impact of the accident on your mental health.
How Can Truck Maintenance Records and Inspection Reports Help Your Case?
Trucking companies must put their fleet through regular vehicle maintenance and inspections. If they don’t, the relevant maintenance documents can prove liability on the company’s part. These records can reveal if the trucking operators negligently skipped or delayed required maintenance, which could have caused your accident and resulting injuries.
Sometimes, the records might show a history of mechanical problems, which means that the trucking company knowingly kept a dangerous vehicle on the road.
Get Expert Help with Gathering Truck Accident Evidence with a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer at Mitchell Law, PLLC
So many more pieces of evidence can help your case after a truck accident in Texas – and a seasoned Houston truck accident lawyer at Mitchell Law, PLLC, can help you obtain it. If you’ve suffered injuries in a truck accident in Houston, don’t face the complex legal process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.