What Evidence Do You Need After a Trucking Accident?

Evidence that shows your injuries, medical treatment, any property damage, and other losses you’ve suffered is important after you’ve been in a truck accident. But gathering all this evidence on your own can be stressful. 

That’s why our team of Phoenix truck accident lawyers at Zanes Law is ready to help you gather all the evidence you need after a truck accident. Read on to learn more about the evidence you need after a trucking accident in Phoenix.

What Evidence Is Important After a Truck Accident in Phoenix?

After an accident, it can be difficult to determine what evidence you need. Some of the most important you need to collect after a truck accident in Phoenix include:

• Photos of crash scene: Taking photos and videos at the scene of the truck accident will be beneficial for your case.
• Medical records: These will establish injuries, treatment, and costs. 
• Receipts for vehicle repairs: You should document out-of-pocket costs from property damage.
• Personal property damage invoices: This applies to non-vehicle items damaged or destroyed.
• Witness contact information: As the injured party, you can ask known eyewitnesses for contact details.
• Statements from those who rendered aid: Ambulance crew, firefighters, and good Samaritans present can be helpful to have in your case testimony.
• Traffic tickets or police reports: These are public documents you can request yourself to enhance your case’s strength.
• Your own phone or dashcam footage: First-hand recordings if your device was recording during the accident.
• Impact and location details: You can provide a first-hand description of where and how the collision occurred.
• Pre-existing medical conditions: Your relevant history could impact your injury claim and increase your compensation. 

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Truck Accident Evidence That Only a Lawyer Can Access

When attempting to build a personal injury case from a trucking crash on your own, certain key pieces of evidence are nearly impossible to acquire without legal representation. An experienced truck accident attorney in Phoenix, however, has the tools and authority needed to compel disclosure of information essential to demonstrating liability. Examples include:

• Driver logs and maintenance records the trucking company holds. Lawyers can subpoena private documents not willingly shared.
• Accident reconstruction reports analyzed by forensic experts. Establishing relationships gives access to technical analyses.
• Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or businesses at the crash location. Legal requests are required to access applicable video records.
• Insurance claim files that may contain valuable admissions. Legal right to documents often exceeds what injured parties can obtain independently.
• Event data recorder information. Also known as a black box, your lawyer can retrieve this evidence and review the data.

Having a truck accident lawyer investigate can help retrieve evidence controlled by opposing entities using legally sanctioned procedures ordinary citizens can’t match. This empowers you and your case by bringing all relevant facts to light that fully portray responsibility for an incident.

How Does Strong Evidence Impact Your Truck Accident Case?

Having strong evidence is important in any truck accident case. It can make a big difference in how the case is ultimately resolved, whether through settlement or if it proceeds to court. Evidence that clearly shows liability will put you in the best position to receive proper compensation for your damages and injuries. 

Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement if the evidence convincingly demonstrates that the other party was at fault for the crash. If a settlement can’t be reached, comprehensive documentation helps strengthen your position as the case heads to litigation.

Conversely, weak or incomplete evidence makes it harder to prove your case and get full value. Insurers may try to low-ball settlement offers or argue more vigorously against liability, knowing vital facts are unclear or missing. The same challenge applies if the case winds up in front of a judge or jury. Strong evidence leaves less room for debate around key issues like causation, fault, and damages suffered.

Maximizing lost wages, pain, and suffering awards also depends on evidence substantiating the extent of harm. Medical records, receipts, and subject experts quantifying long-term impacts can make the difference in securing higher compensation levels that more accurately reflect all damages. 

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Assembling Your Evidence for a Settlement Package

If your goal is to settle your trucking accident case without going to trial, you will need to present your evidence in an organized settlement package to share with the insurance company. This demonstrates the strength of your case and increases the chances of a fair payout.

Some key things to include are:

• A cover letter summarizing the incident and your injuries and damages.
• Photographs of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries you sustained.
• Your medical records, bills for treatment, and reports from healthcare providers.
• Records of time missed from work and lost wages documentation.
• Estimates for vehicle repair costs or total vehicle loss valuations.
• Police reports, accident reports, or eyewitness statements.
• Logs or records from the involved commercial vehicle.
• Expert analyses, inspection reports, or accident reconstruction findings.
• Your own verbal or written account of what occurred.

Organize everything chronologically in a binder or folder for easy review. This makes your claim transparent and compelling, giving the insurer less reason to argue the presented facts. A thorough settlement package gets the case close to a resolution without litigation.

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What to Do if Evidence is Missing or Unclear

Your personal injury lawyer in Phoenix at Zanes Law can help fill in any gaps through various investigative strategies. We may file motions demanding the production of records from other parties involved through formal discovery procedures. Witnesses can be re-interviewed with legal authority to compel cooperation. 

Subject experts like accident reconstructionists can analyze the existing evidence and draw conclusions to develop reasonable theories on how the event occurred. Our truck accident attorneys in Phoenix understand the legal process and know the steps that need to be taken to build the strongest case possible despite incomplete information. 

We are well-versed in pursuing optional records through subpoenas, public information requests, or data sources like traffic cameras if they may offer additional clues. Litigation is also an option of last resort to legally acquire documents through the court system.

Learn More About the Evidence You Need After a Trucking Accident

At Zanes Law, our truck accident attorney in Phoenix, AZ, can help you identify and gather relevant evidence for your trucking accident. When you need a law firm that truly cares about you and your future, we’re the team to go to. 

Contact us to learn more about what evidence you need after a truck accident in Phoenix.

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
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