Important Records to Obtain After a Truck Accident

October 16, 2018 | Accidents,Car Accidents

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident in Washington and you want to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit you will also need to collect crucial documents to build a strong case for your damages. Litigation against trucking companies can be challenging without these pieces of evidence and a truck accident attorney on your side. Make sure to obtain these records after your truck accident to support your case. The Seattle truck accident lawyers at Washington Injury Law are ready to help you get the justice you deserve.

#1: The Police Report

After you got into your truck accident, you likely called 911 and had a police officer arrive at the scene. At this time, the responding officer will open an official police report and begin investigating your case. The police will collect certain information such as your identity, the other driver’s identity, and information, a description of the vehicles involved in the accident, and the insurance information for you and the truck driver.

The police report may also document information such as the injuries suffered at the scene, the need for emergency medical attention and the treating hospital, and the information of any witnesses at the scene. The officer may also record statements from witnesses. You will need this report to help paint the picture of what happened at the scene of the accident, which can help establish liability. This report will be a crucial piece of evidence in the courtroom.

#2: The Crash Report

Your police report will not be ready immediately after your accident. It may take a few weeks for the officer to process the information and compile the complete report. However, you can collect the crash report, which also helps you document what exactly happened at the scene of the accident.

The crash report often states your information, the other driver’s information, the testimony of witnesses, and other information found in the police report. The crash report also contains a narrative opinion from the officer on what he or she believes happened based on his or her investigation. Insurance companies usually rely on this report when they determine liability and these reports can also help you prove that the truck driver was negligent.

#3: Your Medical Records

Another crucial piece of evidence you will need is documentation related to your injuries. Your medical records are important because they help prove that you suffered injuries because of the accident and that you should collect compensation to recover from the losses your injuries caused you. After your accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The resulting records will be crucial in proving your damages in a truck accident case.

#4: Open Records

The police department may have other open records regarding your accident. You should obtain these records to supplement your report. These records can provide valuable information such as the 911 transcripts, when the officers heard of the crash, the officers involved in the crash, and radio dispatches discussing your accident.

#5: Maintenance Records

You will also need to collect evidence related to the truck’s maintenance and safety. Trucking companies must keep detailed records of their fleet’s vehicles and maintain them regularly. However, not all companies adhere to these regulations, which can lead to accidents. Tire blowouts, brake failures, engine issues, and many other maintenance issues can lead to accidents on the road.

Your attorney can obtain the maintenance records for the truck responsible for your accident. By examining these maintenance records, you can potentially prove the cause of your accident and hold the trucking company liable for your injuries based on the maintenance history. Obtaining these records without an attorney can be a challenge; contact a Seattle personal injury attorney to begin this process.