What to do if you are in a truck accident
If you have been involved in a truck wreck in Oklahoma, the paperwork does not stop with a police report. You may need the services of an attorney who can do the investigative research needed to ensure you receive adequate and just compensation for the accident. When you hire an attorney, they build a case on your behalf while the trucking company’s attorneys work to find evidence against it. With the right Oklahoma truck accident lawyer on your side, you have have a better chance at receiving the financial help you deserve.
Oklahoma Truck Accident Investigation and Reconstruction
After the truck accident, your attorney will begin the process of determining exactly what happened and why. A truck accident lawyer who is experienced in this field knows the many laws and regulations that truck drivers are required to follow. If the truck driver who caused your accident and injuries was not following those laws, there may be significant penalties for that driver.
Even when tractor-trailer drivers follow all laws, there are still risks just from the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Your attorney will perform research on the driver, truck, and company in order to determine if there were problems or discrepancies that could have contributed to your accident. They can also go beyond police reports and doctor’s notes to reconstruct the accident. They will study the scene itself, weather conditions, witnesses, and more to fill in missing details.
Some of the information your attorney will collect includes:
- Whether the driver had a valid commercial driver’s license
- If the truck driver had past tickets or accidents
- Whether the vehicle was over the weight or size limit
- If there was any hazardous waste, and if proper regulations for it were followed
- If the weather conditions had an impact on the truck driver’s capabilities
- Whether witnesses saw anything not reported to the police
- What activity the driver’s cellular phone records shows
The more information your Oklahoma truck accident lawyer collects, the easier it will be for them to present a strong case and help you receive proper compensation for your injuries. This is why years of experience pays off as a truck accident lawyer; you should hire an attorney with a demonstrated record of investigative expertise.
How Your Lawyer Collects Information
The black box that records data in most vehicles can be very helpful to any attorney investigating a truck wreck in Oklahoma caused by a tractor-trailer or big rig. The recorded data will provide details such as:
- The exact location of the vehicle when the accident occurred
- The speed of the truck’s engine at the time of the accident
- Whether the brakes were used, and when they were applied
That information can be used to show whether the truck driver was at fault or somewhat negligent, which is one of the ways your attorney can prove your case against the driver.
In addition to the black box, truck drivers are required to keep detailed logs of the hours they drive, the hours they sleep, and the hours of down time they get in between.
If you have been involved in a truck wreck in Oklahoma, your attorney will ask for the logbook records of the truck driver who was involved in the accident with you. That can help the attorney determine if the truck driver was legally allowed to be driving at the time the accident took place.
Your attorney will also ask for other documentation from the trucking company, such as:
- Work orders for the truck
- Any repair orders or receipts
- Maintenance logs to show the vehicle had been properly cared for
- Inspection reports for the truck
Armed with that information, an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer can provide you with a strong defense and help you get the compensation you deserve from the truck driver and company that caused the accident.
If you are looking for an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer, contact Nolan Caddell Reynolds at 866-242-0452 today for a free consultation.