Five Important Pieces of Evidence that Need Be Preserved after a Missouri Truck Accident

To receive fair compensation after a Missouri truck accident, it is important to secure certain documents from the truck driver and the truck company. Driver logs, delivery receipts, bills of lading, any other similar documents can help prove your case against a negligent truck company and its driver. The more evidence you secure, the better your chances are of recovering the money you are entitled to for your injuries.

Additional evidence includes:

1. Physical evidence from the crash. This may include roadway debris, photos of any skid marks, damaged property, and evidence of environmental conditions at the time of the crash. If you cannot secure evidence because of your injuries, have someone gather it for you.

 

2. Eyewitness statements. It can help your case to have written statements from witnesses that saw the accident happen. It is important to get contact information from all witnesses. Check to see if there are roadway cameras, intersection cameras, or security cameras nearby that may have recorded the crash.
3. The electronic onboard recording device. This device often provides a great snapshot of the tractor trailer’s movements leading up to the crash. The onboard recording device often tracks the number of hours the driver is operating the tractor every day. The information downloaded from the device can be used to cross reference driver logs, delivery receipts, bills of lading and other related documents.
4. Records kept by the trucking company. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires trucking companies to keep certain records regarding its operations for a certain amount of time, depending on the type of document. Some of these records include the employment application and driving history of its drivers, Out of Service Inspections, maintenance records, etc.
5. The truck itself. It is important to send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, its driver, and all insurance companies demanding they preserve the tractor trailer, its contents, and all related documents until your expert has had an opportunity to see everything. The truck company will be in a hurry to get its tractor back on the road, so it’s important to act quickly.

Immediate attention is required after a truck crash to increase your chance of getting fully compensation for your injuries and damages. Gathering evidence right away will help ensure crucial evidence is not lost, misplaced, or destroyed. An experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer can help secure all of this evidence.