Getting into a crash with a massive 18-wheeler isn’t the same as a regular fender bender. It’s scary, and the injuries are usually much worse. But there is another big difference: the laws for big trucks are much stricter than they are for regular cars.
To get the money you deserve after a truck accident, you need more than just photos of the damage. You need proof that the trucking company or the driver broke the rules. Here is the evidence we look for to build a winning case.
1. The “Black Box”
Just like airplanes, most big trucks have a computer on board (often called a “Black Box”). It records everything the truck was doing right before the crash.
- Speed: Was the driver going too fast?
- Braking: Did they try to stop, or were they not paying attention?
- Gears: Were they driving safely for the road conditions?
Why you need a lawyer fast: Trucking companies are allowed to erase this data after a short time. We send a special legal letter immediately to stop them from hitting “delete.”
2. The Driving Logs
Tired drivers cause accidents. To stop this, there are strict federal rules about how long a driver can stay behind the wheel without sleeping.
Drivers have to use digital logs to track their hours. We look at these logs to see if the driver was working too many hours illegally, or if their boss pushed them to drive while exhausted just to make a delivery on time.
3. Maintenance Records
Trucks drive thousands of miles and things break. By law, companies have to inspect their trucks before every trip and fix problems immediately.
We pull the maintenance records to see the truth. Did the driver report “bad brakes” but drive anyway? Did the company skip safety inspections to save money? If they ignored repairs, they may be responsible for your accident.
4. The Driver’s Background Check
Trucking companies are supposed to hire safe, qualified professionals. We check the driver’s employment file to answer some big questions:
- Did they actually have a valid truck license?
- Were they medically fit to drive?
- Did they have a history of drunk driving or crashes?
If the company hired a dangerous driver who never should have been on the road, we hold the company accountable.
5. Cell Phone Records
Distracted driving is a huge problem. We can legally demand the driver’s phone records to see if they were texting, calling, or scrolling through the internet the second they hit you. If they were on their phone, it proves they weren’t watching the road.
6. Camera Footage
Many commercial trucks now have cameras inside that record the road ahead and the driver inside the cab. This video is often the best proof of exactly what happened. We also look for security cameras from nearby businesses that might have caught the crash from a different angle.
Don’t Try to Fight This Alone
Gathering this evidence is hard work. You can’t just ask the trucking company for their private records because they won’t give them to you. You need a legal team that knows how to demand them.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck crash in South Florida, don’t leave it to chance. The insurance companies have lawyers fighting to pay you as little as possible. You need someone in your corner.
The Miami truck accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Jose M. Francisco know exactly where to look for the evidence that wins cases. We fight to get you the money you deserve, and you pay us nothing unless we win. Contact us today, and let’s get to work on your case.
Recommended Reading:
Why Are Truck Accidents So Different from Car Accidents?