What Evidence Do You Need for a Truck Accident Case?
Find out what kinds of records, reports, and expert documents you need to back up your truck accident case
Salt Lake City is one of the busiest cities in the Intermountain West. Every day, commuters, long-haul freight trucks, and travelers from other states share crowded roads. As Utah’s population grows, so does the amount of traffic on the state’s major highways and surface streets. This leads to more serious accidents, which in turn leads to more deaths and injuries on the road. In 2024, the Utah Department of Transportation and Public Safety reported that about 281 people died on Utah roads, with 43 of those deaths involving commercial vehicles.
If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a truck accident, it’s important to know what makes a strong legal claim and what makes a weak one in this dangerous safety environment. For people who live and work in Salt Lake City, knowing what proof is needed for a truck accident case is the first step toward protecting their rights and getting paid. Experienced Salt Lake City truck accident lawyers can help you gather evidence and walk you through the steps of building a case that will stand up to scrutiny by the insurance company and hold the people who were at fault accountable.
Official Documents and Police Reports
Getting a copy of the police report is very important if you are in a truck accident. This document usually has information about the accident scene, the people involved, and the first thoughts on who was at fault. It is an official report that may also have drawings of the accident site or statements from people who saw it happen.
Along with the police report, getting any other official papers, such as citations or tickets, can also give you more information about what happened. These papers do a lot more to show what the facts are in this case.
Evidence in the Form of Photos and Videos
Photographic evidence is the most important thing for putting together what happened in a car accident. Pictures and videos of the scene can show where the cars are, how the road is, and any visible damage. It will be helpful later to write down skid marks, weather conditions, and traffic signals. Dashcam footage can give you a firsthand look at what happened before the crash. This proof can help back up what witnesses say and show when things happened.
Statements from Witnesses
Witnesses can tell you what happened before, during, and after the accident. Statements from people who were there can help back up other evidence that has been collected. Witness statements can give you information that you can’t get from just looking at physical evidence. It’s important to get contact information for witnesses as soon as possible because it’s so important. Their testimony may be very important for reaching an agreement or in court.
Records and Logs for Drivers
In truck accident cases, driver logs and records are very important. These papers can show if the driver followed federal rules about breaks and hours of operation. Breaking these rules can show that the driver is tired, which is a common reason for accidents.
These reports can also include information about the driver’s work history, training, and credentials. This information helps us figure out if the driver was qualified and got the right training to drive the vehicle.
Records of Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance
The state of the truck at the time of the accident is also very important. Maintenance records show if the vehicle was serviced on time and if any repairs are still needed. Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failure, which can cause accidents.
Inspection records might also show problems that were already reported but not fixed. That could mean that the trucking company or owner was careless.
Data from the Electronic Control Module (ECM)
Most trucks today have an Electronic Control Module (ECM), which is also known as the truck’s “black box.” This device keeps track of things like speed, braking patterns, and engine performance. Another objective source of information about what the truck was doing when the accident happened is the ECM data. We can find out if there were any mechanical problems or if the driver was being careless by looking at this data.
Records from Doctors and Expert Witnesses
To show damages, you need medical records of the injuries you got in the accident. These records show how bad the injuries were and what happened as a result. They also help figure out how much money you should get.
Testimony from medical experts could further substantiate claims by elucidating the long-term consequences of suffering. In addition, experts in accident reconstruction can give their professional opinion on what caused the accident based on the evidence they have collected.
Talking to and Getting Information from Your Insurance Company
It’s a good idea to share your insurance information right after an accident. If you don’t do this, your claim could be weaker, which could make the settlement more difficult. It’s also important to keep track of all the times you’ve talked to insurance companies.
Emails, letters, and other written records are good proof of what the parties agreed on and disagreed on. For both openness and responsibility, it is important to keep records.
Conclusion
To prove who is at fault in a truck accident, a lot of evidence needs to be gathered. To put together the order of events, police reports, information from the electronic control module (ECM), medical records, and any other relevant information are all used. A thorough presentation of this evidence is helpful in increasing the chances of a good outcome. To get a fair result, you need to prepare well and work hard.
