Truck Accident Litigation
The litigation involving truck accidents involves numerous potential defendants. These defendants may include the driver of the truck and their employer, as in addition to a company which manufactured defective equipment or a contractor who loaded cargo incorrectly.
Many trucks contain event data recorders, sometimes referred to as black boxes. salem truck accident law firm can aid investigators in determining the cause of the crash happened. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to match this information with log books.
Investigation of the Scene
If a car accident happens, the first step in an investigation is usually to gather evidence in physical form and take photos. In truck accidents, however, there are many more aspects to be considered. For example truck accidents often involve dangerous goods and even a minor crash can result in severe or fatal injuries.
The process of investigation is more complex than the typical car accident. It takes longer and requires the assistance of experts from a variety of areas. A lawyer who is qualified can assist you in finding the right professionals to handle this job.
A thorough truck accident investigation involves interviewing eyewitnesses and visiting the scene of the crash. Experts are also needed to reconstruct the accident based on the collected physical evidence. This information is crucial in making a defendant accountable for the incident.

A lawyer must also inquire of the trucking firm and the driver for any information that may be relevant to a particular case. This could include information regarding the safety policies of the trucking firm maintenance protocols, as well as training procedures. Also, the background of the truck driver is vital for any past incidents, reprimands, or alcohol/drug test results.
Another thing to look for is the information from the black box of the truck. These devices, which are similar to those installed in planes, may provide many details about the accident. Your lawyer must request this information as soon as possible, as it could disappear over time due to the elements or the passing traffic.
In addition, the attorney should also gather medical records from the victims of the crash. These records will prove that the injuries sustained in the crash have caused significant and long-lasting damage. It is essential to keep these documents, along with any medical notes and treatment schedules.
Expert Witnesses
The majority of truck accidents are settled between insurance company, the injured party and the trucking company. However, some are not and must be taken to court. This is where expert witnesses play a crucial role. They are experts who have the training, knowledge and expertise to review the evidence in your case, and provide their opinions to the jury. They can explain complicated medical concepts, mechanical concepts and economic concepts to jurors with very little or no knowledge of them.
Depending on the type of expert witness needed, they could be as basic as a car mechanic who will determine the reason your vehicle was damaged during the crash and metallurgists that can do a failure analysis on the truck part that is in question, or pathologists who can determine the cause of death. They could also be required to testify and examine particular aspects of your case like the impact of the crash and the speed of the vehicle, or even the reconstruction of the accident.
Medical experts are also required to determine the extent and severity of your injuries. Insurance companies will often contest this area, claiming that you exaggerate your injuries, or that they have pre-existing conditions and that the accident did not cause any additional harm. In these cases, your attorney will call in an independent medical expert to counter the claims of the insurance company's doctor.
Lastly an expert witness could be crucial when it comes to proving that the trucker involved in the accident was negligent in any way. They will make use of their expertise to help the jury comprehend the truck driver's omission to perform their duties, the financial consequences caused by that failure and how that failure affected the person who was affected.
GPS Tracking
When accidents with trucks occur it is not uncommon for their victims to sustain serious injuries. They deserve financial assistance to cover medical bills as well as lost wages, suffering and associated costs. Manhattan truck accident lawyers from Cellino Law are prepared to find justice for their clients and fight for the compensation they deserved.
GPS tracking is among the most effective technologies used for accident cases. These devices are a common feature of the trucking industry and usually have a variety of vital information that can be used to determine the extent of liability. A Qualcomm system, for instance can provide vital information about speed as well as braking performance engines performance and hours of service. This information can be combined with other evidence, such as eyewitness testimony to reconstruct the scene of the crash.
Other crucial pieces of information in a truck accident case may include records from the telematics software used by the trucking company and dash cams. Telematics involves the collection of data collected by a vehicle’s onboard computer. The data is used to coach fleet drivers and record incidents. This may include crucial information like speed, harsh brakes, phone usage and more. This information can be compared with the log books of the truck driver to see whether accurate records were recorded.
Another important aspect is any fax communications records which may have been sent regarding the trip prior to the accident. This information can include the route, destination, any stops along the way and any messages exchanged between the trucker and the company. This information can be used by a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to prove that the truck driver was distracted or not following safe procedures.
When a truck accident victim can show that the trucking company, driver or other defendants failed in their duty of care and caused the accident and resulting injury, they should be held accountable for any injuries sustained due to. To win a case, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant violated a statute or regulation and that the violation directly caused harm. It is easy to prove that a violation was not negligent in the context of traffic laws, however federal regulations require a much more complicated analysis.
Negotiating a Settlement
In many cases, truck accident victims are able to settle their claims without having to go to court. The process of negotiating settlement involves discussing the facts of your case with an insurance firm which includes the amount you are entitled to under the law of your state. A lawyer who handles truck accidents can evaluate your injuries and document the losses you have suffered that result from them to determine the value of your case. Then, the attorney can draw on the results of similar cases involving truck accidents and how juries have rewarded victims in similar circumstances to determine a fair settlement amount.
Your lawyer can also negotiate directly with the insurance company to ensure that the settlement you receive is sufficient to cover the damages you have which are documented. This includes the amount you've paid because of your inability to work to seek treatment for your injuries. The lawyer can assist with submitting documentation to prove these losses, such as old pay statements. If your injuries hinder you from returning to your previous job, you may also be entitled to compensation.
Insurance companies typically begin the discussion with an offer that is low. This tactic is used to determine how desperate you are to settle your claim and could have a negative effect on the value of your claim. An experienced attorney can avoid being mistreated by remaining at peace and not giving in to pressure to accept an inadequate settlement.
Once your lawyer has agreed to an acceptable settlement amount, they will make a written demand for settlement to the party responsible for the fault and they must respond within 30 days, or your right to take action against the responsible party in court will be revoked. In some cases, a trucking company will refuse to negotiate, and your lawyer will start a lawsuit against the negligent party.
It is impossible to give a general estimate for how much the settlement from a truck accident is worth as each situation is different including the degree of your injuries, as well as the length of time you'll be absent working to undergo medical treatments. Settlements from truck accidents can amount to millions of dollars.