When you are involved in a trucking accident, it often leads to a range of consequences from the physical to the emotional to the financial. It might seem impossible to think about anything else when you’re overwhelmed by what’s just happened and are worried about the safety of yourself and others. But if you fail to collect, preserve and document key pieces of evidence, it may make it more challenging to prove your case in court and receive compensation for these damages. If you are in a trucking accident in Georgia, here are some things to keep in mind.
Accident reports and truck inspectors
One of the first things to acquire is an official accident report. There may be multiple reports created depending on the number of officers who show up. When the police officers arrive at the collision scene, they’ll write up this official report. It’s up to you to ask for your own copy of this so you can keep it for your records.
In most truck accidents, the state police will send an inspector who specializes in truck accidents. This certified expert will inspect the truck involved before it is moved.
This inspector looks for any defects in the vehicle itself or any other malfunction that might have made the crash occur or added to it in some way. They will then check to see if the load being hauled was above the recommended weight or if it had been loaded irregularly or improperly. The truck’s tires will also be examined to see if the tread is low. Make sure to get your own copy of the truck inspector’s report to keep it in your records.
Electronic logs, photos and witness statements
Thanks to the stringent rules mandated by Federal law, truckers have to abide by Hours of Service regulation. This means all trucking companies require their workers to keep detailed records of their activity on electronic logs. These logs may contain important evidence for your case.
A spoliation letter is one way to request evidence. It’s something an attorney might write and submit for you that asks the trucking company to preserve all evidence that is related to the accident. It’s also important to keep all photographs and statements from witnesses you obtain from the accident.