What Evidence Is Necessary to Prove Fault in a Truck Accident Claim?
Proving that a truck driver or trucking company caused an accident requires far more than simply pointing to your injuries. You will need to establish that someone acted negligently, that their negligence directly caused the collision, and that the collision caused your damages. This means gathering specific, compelling evidence before it vanishes. The following types of documentation can make or break your truck accident claim in New Haven.
The Police Accident Report
The official police report serves as a foundational document in your case. Officers who respond to the scene document their observations, note traffic violations, record weather and road conditions, and often include a preliminary determination of fault. While the report itself isn’t the final word on liability, insurance companies and courts give significant weight to an officer’s on-scene assessment. Request a copy as soon as it becomes available.
Electronic Logging Device and Hours-of-Service Records
Many commercial truck drivers use electronic logging devices that track their driving hours. These records reveal whether a driver violated hours-of-service rules by driving too long without rest—a common factor in fatigue-related crashes. If a driver was behind the wheel for 14 hours straight when they rear-ended you, these records will show it, and you can leverage them to prove fault.
The Truck’s Black Box Data
Most commercial trucks contain an event data recorder, often called a black box, that captures critical information in the seconds before and during a crash. This data can include speed, brake application, steering input, and engine performance. However, this information can be overwritten quickly, so your attorney will need to send a preservation letter as soon as possible.
Your Medical Records
Your medical documentation directly links the accident to your injuries. Records from emergency rooms, specialists, and follow-up appointments establish both the nature and extent of the harm you suffered. Seek medical attention immediately after the crash, even if you feel fine—some serious injuries do not present symptoms right away.
Maintenance and Inspection Records
Trucking companies must maintain detailed logs of vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance. These records can expose a pattern of deferred maintenance or ignored safety issues that contributed to your crash. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions often trace back to negligent upkeep.
Photos and Videos from the Accident Scene
Visual evidence captures details that you might not remember. If you are physically able, photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, debris patterns, traffic signals, and road conditions immediately after the crash. Nearby surveillance cameras or dash cam footage from other vehicles may have recorded the collision itself.
Eyewitness Statements and Testimony
People who witnessed the accident can provide independent accounts of what happened. Their observations about the truck’s speed, lane changes, or erratic driving behavior can corroborate your version of events and strengthen your claim.
Trust a Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyer to Investigate Your Case
Truck accident cases are won or lost on evidence, and much of the most critical evidence starts disappearing the moment the crash occurs. A New Haven truck accident lawyer has the resources to launch an immediate investigation—issuing preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction, working with accident reconstruction experts, and subpoenaing records that trucking companies might otherwise keep hidden.
Schedule a free consultation today and start building your truck accident claim.