When semi-trucks and tractor-trailers are involved in accidents with cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, the consequences are often severe for the drivers and passengers in those smaller vehicles. Big trucks can range from 57- to 61-feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they’re fully loaded. In comparison, even some of the most oversized passenger vehicles weigh less than 6,000 pounds.
Because of the size and weight difference, big truck accidents can cause victims to suffer debilitating and even life-threatening injuries. That means they often face expensive medical treatments and disabilities that can put them out of work for weeks, months, or even years.
Trucking accident victims need maximum compensation after an injury accident. However, large trucking companies and their insurers often fight these claims aggressively. They don’t want to pay accident victims what they deserve unless they are required to pay. This is why evidence is so important in a truck accident case. Without evidence, the trucking companies may dig their heels in and refuse to pay you what you rightfully deserve. But what evidence is important to present in an Arkansas truck accident case? Schedule a consultation with our truck accident attorneys to learn how to build a strong case.
The aftermath of a truck accident is often complex. Police and emergency personnel arrive at the scene and cart away the accident debris and damaged vehicles. Emergency medical teams rush injured victims to receive medical care. The accident site is cleaned and opened back up to traffic relatively quickly.
Injured truck accident victims are likely hospitalized and dealing with serious medical issues and injuries. They may face an uncertain future and even a lifetime of disabilities. During this time, insurance companies and trucking companies begin trying to minimize their liabilities. They may remove or destroy valuable evidence and even write over important black box data.
Preserving evidence is critical after a serious trucking accident. For this reason, it is important to act quickly. The evidence left behind is a key to collecting the money you need, and insurers know this. While it is not always possible to gather evidence in the immediate moments after a truck crash in Arkansas, our attorneys can obtain a lot of valuable information in the days and weeks following the truck accident.
We can visit the location of the crash vehicles and examine them closely. We can interview eyewitnesses and collect the black box data and prevent it from being destroyed. We can even employ accident reconstruction teams to help us begin building your case.
Proving negligence after a serious truck accident is the key to collecting compensation. Without negligence and liability, you cannot file a claim against the truck driver or trucking company. When determining fault and proving negligence, our lawyers must clearly show that the trucking company or truck driver is to blame. If multiple parties share liability, we must show that their negligence directly led to the accident and your injuries.
Some of the evidence our truck accident lawyers will collect to help you prove negligence may include:
After we establish liability, we must then prove damages. This means showing the insurance company how much you’ve lost because of the crash and the injuries you suffered. When seeking compensation, we want to be sure you have enough money to cover everything from medical expenses and lost wages to pain and suffering.
To do this, we must gather a different type of evidence that includes:
It is critical to preserve evidence as soon as possible after a serious truck accident in Arkansas. This is the best way to improve your chances of success.
However, the single best thing you can do to help preserve evidence is to seek medical attention and follow your treatment plan. The insurance company will look for any reason to reduce or deny your claim. If you miss medical appointments or didn’t follow your doctor’s treatment plan, they will claim that you are not as injured as you say.
While you focus on your recovery, we will handle the task of preserving all the vital evidence for your case. We will request copies of your medical records, police reports, and other documents. We will also secure and locate the truck to preserve as evidence.
One of the best ways we can secure and preserve evidence after a truck accident is to send a spoliation letter. This letter is a written notice to all parties directing them to preserve evidence related to your legal claim. This mentions specific evidence to preserve, such as the black box data or electronic logging device information. The letter warns against tampering or destroying this evidence. If the trucking company fails to preserve the evidence requested, they can face serious charges and sanctions in court.
Trucking accidents involve catastrophic injuries and damages. The trucking company may realize they are looking at millions in damages. Because of this, they will fight aggressively to reduce their liabilities in any way possible. This may include:
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our trucking accident lawyers know how to fight these tactics and gather the evidence needed to win a truck wreck case in Arkansas. We have successfully defended clients against trucking companies’ unscrupulous tricks.
After a serious truck accident, you deserve to have a team of lawyers on your side fighting for you. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we work tirelessly for our injured clients to help them build a solid case for compensation. This often means working quickly to gather and preserve valuable evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Know that you know what evidence is important to present in an Arkansas truck accident case, take the next step and contact our team. With offices throughout Arkansas – Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our truck injury lawyers can tackle cases from across both states. No matter if you live in the area or are just passing through, we can help you!
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