When discussing truck accidents, we’re referring to a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more. Some semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when a trailer is fully loaded. These trucks can include everything from tractor-trailers to tanker trucks, delivery and box trucks, dump trucks, flatbed trucks, and more.
Also, there is usually a company behind the vehicle. A truck driver can be either the owner of the truck, the company’s employee, or the company’s contractor.
Truck accident investigations can be very different from car accident investigations and involve many additional factors. Multiple parties can be at fault and involved in the lawsuit. The company that owns the truck may conduct its own investigation in addition to the police investigation.
Evidence that is analyzed from the accident can include a long list of documents related to the truck driver, such as weigh-in documents, trip documents, cell phone data logs, and more. This is vital evidence for all parties to gather.
Different Types of Truck Accidents
There are many different types of truck accidents. Sometimes, multiple truck accidents can happen at once, such as a tire blowout, a rollover, and a cargo accident, which causes damage to multiple vehicles.
Head-on and rear-end collisions, rollovers, and tire blowouts are common truck accident types that are similar to car accidents. Some accident types that are unique to these big, commercial trucks include underride truck accidents, jackknife truck accidents, and cargo accidents. These happen due to the large size and shape of tractor-trailer trucks.
How Truck Accident Investigations Work
No matter the type of truck accident, an investigation will begin at the scene of the accident after the police arrive. If applicable, the truck driver will inform the company that owns the truck. Since truck companies can be large, multi-million (and even billion) dollar companies, they may have their team ready to come out to the scene to perform their own analysis and gather evidence for their defense.
Because truck accidents cause a great deal of damage, the truck company’s insurance investigation team will gather evidence on its behalf to defend itself in the event of a lawsuit. When millions of dollars of damage are at stake, it is understandable why they summon their own investigation team.
The police will come to the scene to prepare their report by interviewing witnesses and all parties involved, gathering evidence, analyzing the details, and helping coordinate any immediate medical help. If a victim of the accident has an attorney ready, they may also call them to come out to the scene.
Evidence analyzed during a truck accident will be more than just visible damage, like property damage and injuries. All investigative parties will likely ask to review many of the truck driver’s documents, such as the record of hours logged driving and resting, any receipts or tickets obtained during the trip, GPS information at the time of the accident, cell phone data, weigh-in information, and more.
Truck drivers are required to log and provide a lot of data to their employer regarding each trip they make. The plaintiff’s investigation party can use this to their advantage to prove the negligence and fault of the truck driver.
What To Do If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident
Truck accidents investigations can produce large, complex, high-dollar lawsuits. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a top truck accident lawyer to help you stand up to an aggressive insurance company that is paid to defend its client against all claims. They will do everything they can to minimize or eliminate any major damages that they are at fault for.
A truck accident lawyer can help you build a rock-solid claim against the truck driver, the company that may be held responsible, and the insurance company standing in its defense. Mike Rafi goes above and beyond to find documentation of any negligent behavior, analyzes every detail of the case, and meets you on the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.
Truck accident damages can be severe and life-changing, and you deserve to get every bit of compensation you need. We will work together to identify all of the damages that resulted from the accident, including mental pain and suffering, physical damages, expenses, lost wages, future wages, and more.
While this may be a scary and challenging time, Mike Rafi has the results and experience to stand up against big insurance companies and win.
Get In Touch with Your Top Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney
Mike Rafi is an Atlanta truck accident lawyer you can trust to fight for your rights every step of the way – from the investigation at the scene of the accident to fighting an intimidating insurance company during trial, if necessary. Whether you have questions or are ready to move forward in your lawsuit against the truck company that caused your accident, Mike is here to help.
Call Mike today at 404-948-3311 or send our team a message to schedule your free consultation!