Rapid investigation of a truck accident is crucial to the success of the victim’s claim.

Truck accident lawyers and investigators at Arnold & Itkin LLP realize that rapid accident investigation is crucial to gathering evidence and capturing testimony before evidence disappears and memories fade.

Rescue workers approaching the scene of an 18-wheeler truck accident expect the worst. Sadly, they often find that occupants of the vehicles have suffered catastrophic or fatal injuries. When emergency personnel respond to a truck accident, their immediate concerns are to provide necessary medical attention, to transport injured occupants of the vehicles, to secure the scene and to investigate the cause of the accident. Police officers begin their investigation at that time — taking photos, interviewing witnesses, and checking the drivers for signs of drug or alcohol use.

Often the law enforcement officers called to the scene of a 18-wheeler truck accident are not trained in accident reconstruction and do not have the proper tools to fully investigate and analyze the situation. Experienced truck accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP work closely with knowledgeable experts to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash and determine causation. Our experts investigate and analyze numerous internal and external factors contributing to the cause of an 18-wheeler truck accident.

Truck Accident Scene Investigation

Thorough investigation of a truck accident scene is critical to protecting the victims of an 18-wheeler accident. Our truck accident lawyers and reconstruction experts will go to the truck accident scene, take photographs and look for skid marks, debris on the roadway and shoulder, obstructed traffic signs, and any other evidence that will enable them to reconstruct events leading to the crash. We examine law enforcement records and the records of the trucking company. We go over the truck driver's logbook with a fine-tooth comb, looking for signs of driver negligence or falsification of records.

Interview Accident Witnesses & Get Depositions

Truck accident attorneys and investigators at Arnold & Itkin LLP know that rapid response and thorough scene investigations are critical to protecting the victims of an 18-wheeler truck accident involving catastrophic injury or wrongful death. Accident witnesses are interviewed and depositions are obtained.

Truck accident scene investigators will quickly arrive at the accident scene and interview witnesses, including the driver, law enforcement officers, and other potential witnesses. Within hours the trucking company's insurance company will have its own investigators on the scene. There are good reasons for this urgency. Evidence of truck accidents disappears with time. Truck accident witnesses become unavailable or their memories of the event begin to fade.

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we recognize that time is critical. Our investigation begins when we first meet with a client, and stays focused on recovering fair compensation for our client's loss through a favorable settlement or verdict.

Inspect the Truck

We will locate the truck and inspect it, frequently at the scene of the truck accident. Our lawyers and accident experts look for evidence of failed brakes or other equipment, impact damage, and other factors that may have contributed to the crash. A truck accident investigation should include an assessment of the status of major vehicle components at the time of the crash as compared to state and federal inspection standards. The components examined should include mechanical and electrical connections, brakes, tires and steering. The information collected can analyzed to determine what role vehicle maintenance issues played in the accident and then can be compared to the mechanical records maintained by the company to determine if records were falsified or created post-accident in an effort to avoid liability for the accident.

Examination of Trucking Company Records

Obtaining and reviewing trucking company records can be essential for the success of a truck accident case. Federal and state trucking regulations require that companies maintain certain records related to truck maintenance, driver history and performance, safety and required equipment checks. dditionally government licensing authorities maintain driving records and records of criminal activity, if any, known to have occurred in a driver's past. All these records and more can help to establish a credible case when trucking company negligence has contributed to a serious 18-wheeler accident involving catastrophic injury or death.

Driving Record, Accident Reports, Motor Carrier Inspection Reports

Our truck accident lawyers will inspect a complete driving record for the truck driver from every state where the driver has a commercial drivers license. We will obtain and inspect the accident report from law enforcement agencies and motor carrier inspection reports from public safety agencies.

Trucking Company Records

Much of the information that exposes negligence is available from the trucking company. An employer's negligence in hiring truck drivers or in retaining an unqualified driver can be found in the driver's qualification file. The driver's logbook, onboard computer data, and dispatch records often provide evidence of truck driver negligence. Our lawyers will also examine the trucking company records of maintenance and records of the driver's required safety and equipment checks performed before, during, and after each trip.

Don't Wait to Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer

Current laws and regulations limit the time 18-wheeler semi truck drivers and commercial trucking companies must keep records. Act now before critical evidence is destroyed.

When you or your family have been in an accident with an 18-wheeler, hiring a lawyer and making a timely legal claim is critical. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) permit trucking companies to destroy all trucking records, including driver logbooks, after a 6-month period. Courts are limited in fairly adjudicating your case if they don't have this important evidence.

Waiting too long to seek legal advice and make a claim could seriously jeopardize your ability to receive compensation for catastrophic injury or deaths in your family.

Expert Investigations Make Strong Cases

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we have the resources, skill, and experience to build a strong case.
The truck accident investigation forms the basis of our case, and the information we develop often puts us in a position to obtain a full settlement for our client. If the insurance company insists on fighting, we welcome the opportunity to go to trial. Our attorneys have a reputation for preparedness and success, and so are not afraid to go to trial.

For a FREE consultation with a truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Ikin LLP, submit the "FREE Case Review" form at right (recommended), or phone toll free (866) 222-2606.