Truck accidents tend to result in major, if not life-threatening injuries, for victims. And as the victim of such accidents that are caused by the actions of a negligent (careless) party, you should not have to bear the financial burden of medical expenses and other damages. It is true that truck accidents are typically more complex than car accidents. This is mainly due to the fact that there are more defendants involved in these types of incidents such as the truck driver, his or her employer (often the trucking company), or a large corporation that owns and operates the trucks.
These companies have legal defense teams and insurance companies that get on the case very quickly – often in a matter of minutes after the truck accident. This is why it is crucial for truck accident victims to seek the counsel and guidance from an experienced New York truck accident lawyer who will remain on their side and protect their legal rights.
Types of Documentation You Need
Here are some of the types of documentation you may need in order to file and strengthen your truck accident claim or lawsuit:
Police reports: Immediately after the accident, it is important that you get a copy of the police report. If you need to get to the hospital or emergency room soon after the accident, make sure you request and get a copy of this report a few days later from the responding agency. Your truck accident lawyer will also be able to obtain this report for you. A police report typically has crucial information documenting the accident including the date, time and location of the incident and the parties involved. Often, it might also contain a determination of fault. If a truck driver was arrested after the incident, you should also get a copy of the arrest report for your records. Again, your truck accident lawyer can assist you and obtain all of the above for you.
Information about the truck: It is also important that you get the truck driver’s commercial licensing information, the truck’s license plate number, the trucking company’s name and insurance information. Trucking companies typically have several layers of insurance coverage, which may add up to millions of dollars.
Truck logs: Truck drivers are required to follow the federal Hours of Service rules. This means, they are required to take rest breaks and can drive only a set number of hours in a row. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires the use of an electronic logging device. This system essentially provides accurate data about how long the truck driver has been behind the wheel and may help shed light on whether driver fatigue played a part in the accident. In addition to this log, it is also important to obtain the truck’s maintenance and repair logs, which will show whether the trucking firm neglected to maintain the truck. This may be significant especially if malfunctioning truck parts caused your truck accident. Your truck accident lawyer can do the above for you.
Medical records: After a truck accident, it is crucial that you get prompt medical attention, care and treatment. It is also important that you preserve all your medical records carefully so you have a documentation of doctor’s visits, hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, etc. Your medical records not only show that you received prompt treatment for your injuries and that you followed doctor’s orders, but it also helps show the expenses you incurred to treat your injuries and rehabilitate after the accident. Your truck accident lawyer can obtain the above for you.
How an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com