After a collision with a truck, how can a truck accident attorney help me?

Truck accidents involve complex legal issues to determine who are the responsible parties and establish their fault for causing the collision.

Federal regulations and responsibility of multiple parties make truck cases more complicated than standard car accidents.

Trucking companies often have powerful insurance carriers and legal teams defending them. You need attorneys to represent your interests and advocate on your behalf.

Injuries in truck accidents are usually severe, requiring higher compensation and more substantial evidence.

A truck accident attorney will:

Investigate the Accident by:

• Obtaining police reports and reviewing their investigation.
• Interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements.
• Obtaining and reviewing photographic evidence of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles and their location.
• Obtaining and analyzing data from the trucks black box, electronic control module to determine speed and breaking distance.
• Obtaining and reviewing dashcam recordings.
• Inspect trucking logs and other records to determine hours of service
• Examine truck maintenance and repair records including brakes, tires, and steering mechanism.
• Conduct an accident reconstruction investigation.
• Obtain and review the driving record of the truck driver for any motor vehicle violations

Identifying Responsible Parties

There are often multiple parties that are responsible for the conduct of the driver and the trucking company.  Your truck accident attorney will Identify all responsible parties by:

• Reviewing employment contracts.
• Reviewing truck and trailer leasing and ownership records.
• Reviewing shipping, loading, and broker agreements.

Read more: Who is responsible for a truck accident in New York?

Reviewing Federal Regulations

Commercial truck drivers, and owners of commercial vehicles are subject Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety and driving regulations.

Your truck accident attorney will review these regulations, the facts surrounding the accident, the conduct of the driver and the trucking company to determine violations including:

• Driver qualifications
• Driver training
• Driver monitoring
• Speed restrictions
• Hours of service
• Vehicle inspection and repairs
• Cargo loading and weight restrictions
• Representing Your Legal Interests

Your truck accident attorney will:

• Communicate on your behalf with the insurance company for the truck and truck driver
• Understand the full extent of your injuries by obtaining your medical records and discussions with your doctors, therapists, and other health care professionals.
• Establish your pain, suffering, and enjoyment of the pleasures and pursuits of life
• Determine your past, present, and future loss of earnings
• Determine your past, present, and future expenses and costs
• Sue on your behalf
• Represent you in court, present evidence, obtain expert testimony to establish the fault and responsibility of the truck driver, trucking company or others responsible for the collision and the full extent of your damages.

Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer significantly improves your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.

To prove liability in a truck accident, it’s important to obtain the help of an experienced truck accident attorney who will conduct a thorough investigation, determine the responsible parties, and establish their fault.

Shana De Caro and Michael Kaplen have been advocating for the rights of truck accident victims for over four decades. Our history of winning multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts means that - when you hire De Caro & Kaplen, LLP to represent you in a truck accident case, you get an experienced and skilled attorney committed to getting you the most favorable outcome for your case.

Our partners are certified as Advocates by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys and members of the Interstate Trucking Accident Section of the American Association for Justice.