A Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Explains How to Gather Evidence for a Truck Accident Claim in Maryland

The consequences of a commercial truck accident are often devastating. Due to the size difference between trucks and passenger cars, the injuries resulting from collisions can be life-altering. In order to recover compensation for these injuries, you must be able to show that another party’s negligence is to blame. This requires evidence, which can come in many forms. A Maryland truck accident attorney from Timothy A. Dachille and Associates can help you build the strongest case possible.

Collect Evidence at the Scene If You Can

There are often several pieces of important evidence at the scene of a crash. While recovering this proof is helpful, you should always prioritize your health and safety. If you need emergency medical care, it is vital you seek treatment instead of attempting to build a winning legal claim.

The best evidence is arguably a video of the accident as it happened. You might find this evidence on a dashboard camera or security footage from a nearby business. Either way, allowing a jury or insurance adjuster to see how a crash happened is invaluable.

Witness statements are also important. While juries will typically take the word of a participant in a lawsuit with some skepticism, they are more likely to place weight in a statement from a neutral third party. Securing their contact information is crucial, as it can be impossible to track them down once they leave the scene of the crash.

There might also be physical evidence at the scene of a truck accident. One way to document the scene is by taking photos—ideally before the vehicles are moved from the roadway. It can be helpful to show your Maryland truck accident attorney where the vehicles came to rest. You could also take photos of the damage to the vehicle or any skid marks showing one or both drivers attempted to avoid the collision. Photos of your injuries or of the truck driver can also be helpful in these cases.  Photos of the all of the license plates on the truck can also assist in these matters.

Keep Track of Bills and Records

Building a viable case for compensation is about more than proving that someone else was at fault for your accident. You will also need evidence proving the value of your injury claim. This usually centers on your injuries and their treatment.

Medical records can play an important role in any truck crash lawsuit. They provide proof of the severity of your injuries, and the corresponding bills establish the value of your claim. Keeping copies of these records will also save your Maryland truck accident attorney time when they are preparing your lawsuit.

You may also be entitled to damages based on your property losses. To recover an award for these losses, you must be able to provide evidence of those expenses. This could include the cost to either replace or repair your damaged car.

Avoid Helping the Other Side

Gathering evidence for your truck accident injury claim is about more than building a strong case for yourself. It is also important to avoid any unforced errors that could jeopardize your recovery. Some common missteps could dramatically impact your chances of success. The good news is that working with a Maryland truck accident attorney can negate these risks.

First, it is vital that you never admit fault or even apologize for the crash. Everything you say to the other driver can be used against you, and insurance companies will not hesitate to take your words out of context. Even an apology due to your concern for their injuries could be twisted into an admission of fault. Let your Maryland truck accident attorney do the talking when it comes to your case.

Refraining from any discussion of your injuries on social media is also crucial. Insurance companies and lawyers may be watching your account for any signs that you are lying about your injuries or not as hurt as you claim.

Contact a Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you were hurt in a collision with a negligent truck driver, now is the time to build a compensation case. You will need evidence of negligence if you want your claim to be successful. That might include locating security camera footage, interviewing witnesses, or hiring an accident reconstruction effort. The good news is that you never have to take on these tasks alone. A Maryland truck accident attorney can help you build the strongest case possible. Contact us immediately for a free consultation with Timothy A. Dachille and Associates today.