Are you full of questions about your pending semi-truck accident claim? “What happens next?” is one of our client’s most common questions. When you work with an Orlando truck accident lawyer, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our firm handles all the case-building and litigation on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery with as little stress as possible.
We also handle the truck accident investigation, gathering evidence and witness testimony to prove that the trucker (and often, their employer, as well) was negligent and that their negligence caused the accident and your injuries.
Who is responsible for a truck accident investigation?
Local law enforcement typically investigates commercial truck accidents. Additionally, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) conducts its own investigation into the reasons behind semi-truck crashes through its Special Crash Investigations (SCI) program. These investigations have similar goals: to find the cause of the crash and take steps to prevent a similar one from happening again.
The trucking company, whether the driver was a direct employee or a contract driver, will likely investigate the accident, as will your lawyer. These investigations, though, have vastly different goals:
- Your lawyer wants to prove that the truck driver and trucking company are at fault for the accident or at least carry a majority of the fault for its occurrence
- The trucking company wants to avoid liability and seeks evidence that you contributed the primary fault to the collision
Sometimes, the outcome of an investigation can differ, according to the investigating party. However, your lawyer is entitled to all evidence the other party discovers in their investigation.
The truck accident investigation process
We use our firm’s extensive resources to complete each stage of the investigation, starting with the testimonies of those who saw the crash directly.
Witness interviews
We speak with you, your passengers, the trucker, and any outside witnesses to the crash. Sometimes, witnesses on the other side are reluctant to cooperate; when this happens, we can file a motion to compel them to provide their account of what happened.
Inspecting the scene of the accident and physical evidence
We examine the physical damage to each vehicle, photos and videos of the accident scene, and more evidence of the crash, such as tire marks and damage to surrounding structures like posts or guardrails.
Expert testimony
Our firm uses multiple truck accident experts in our investigation:
- Medical experts, who affirm the cause of your injuries, explain how the collision caused each one, and explain the extent of medical care you require to recover (this helps us better estimate your material damages)
- Trucking industry experts, who review the trucker and trucking company’s actions and analyze how they deviated from legal requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association
- Accident reconstructionists, which we usually use in jury trials. They walk juries through how the accident happened, using the evidence we collected, including the police report
Putting it all together: How your lawyer uses their investigation for your benefit
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be eligible for a large settlement, but only if your Orlando truck accident lawyer can prove that the other party was, in fact, negligent. Our truck accident investigation is a valuable part of our case building.
If you have been hurt in a trucking collision, contact DWK Law at (407) 244-3000 for a free consultation.
