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The strength of your personal injury claim comes not from the severity of the injuries you suffered or the circumstances under which you were hurt but from the amount and quality of evidence you have to support your demand for compensation. Unfortunately, obtaining high-quality evidence is uniquely challenging after a truck crash. This is because of the chaos of the accident scene and sometimes active interference from negligent truck drivers or their employers.
Assistance from an experienced truck accident attorney will be key to obtaining and making the best possible use of all relevant information during your truck accident lawsuit or settlement demand. It is also helpful to know what your legal counsel will be looking for when building your claim. Here is a brief look at the types of evidence in Philadelphia truck accident cases that are likely to impact the outcome of your case.
Shipping Manifests and Driver Logs
If a crash happens partly because the truck was illegally overweight or the driver was violating federal law by being on the road too long, official trucking company documents related to cargo, driver, and route can be crucial evidence to include in a Philadelphia case. However, this is also where intentional fraud by trucking companies—who may want to hide illegal behavior by altering or destroying their records—can be a significant obstacle to case success.
Black Box Data and Dashboard Camera Footage
One thing that is hard for trucking companies to interfere with is the data from a truck’s onboard black box recorder. This device can support your Philadelphia accident case as a record of how fast the truck was going, what direction it was traveling, and what actions the driver took before and during the crash. Likewise, recordings from dashboard cameras attached to the tractor-trailer itself or any vehicles nearby can be better than an eyewitness account for establishing the circumstances of the accident.
Witness Testimony
Witness testimony, particularly from the people directly involved in the wreck, is key evidence in most Philadelphia truck accident cases. It can also be useful to solicit testimony from subject-matter experts who can help a civil judge or jury understand complex topics. For example, a doctor can explain the nature and severity of your injuries, and an accident reconstructionist can speak to the physical forces that contributed to the wreck.
Medical Bills and Pay Stubs
When suing over a truck accident in Philadelphia, it is important to have evidence proving that a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence was to blame for the crash. In addition, you need to establish the specific compensable losses that stemmed directly from the wreck. Personal documentation is often necessary to get the best possible result from your claim, including reports from physicians who treated your injuries, pay stubs, and other documents showing any loss of income.
Learn More About Evidence in Truck Accident Cases From a Philadelphia Attorney
No matter who was involved in a commercial truck crash, you have a right to seek civil restitution for any harm you suffered in that wreck due to the negligence of the truck driver. However, accomplishing this is challenging, especially if you are not intimately familiar with collecting and utilizing evidence effectively during a civil case.
Fortunately, help is available from the knowledgeable legal professionals at Lowenthal & Abrams, PC, who have years of experience handling evidence in Philadelphia truck accident cases to benefit accident victims. Call our office today for a free consultation.
