What can be used as key evidence in a truck accident claim or lawsuit?

(Will County, IL) – June 22^nd, 2016 – Trucks are subject to a separate set of laws than what cars or other automobiles are subjected to. This includes state specific trucking laws which vary from one state to the other, and federal trucking laws put in place by the FMSC (Federal Motor Service Carrier Administration).

According to Will County, IL truck accident lawyers, this is because trucks are much larger and heavier than cars and other vehicles and pose more of a threat on roads and highways. In addition, truck accidents are generally much more catastrophic in nature than your average car accident.

When it comes to collecting evidence and establishing liability in a truck accident claim, legal experts point out that there are several key factors.

Trucks have black boxes too

Illinois truck accident attorneys and investigators have tried and tested methods and know what to look for and how to collect evidence. Like airplanes, many commercial trucks have black boxes which record various parameters of the truck such as speed, fuel consumption, throttle settings, and any other inputs. This information is invaluable when it comes to investigating and finding out how the truck accident occurred.

Other ways in which one may decipher how a truck accident transpired is by checking for witnesses, interrogating the driver and other drivers of other vehicles involved or passing by, analyzing CCTV footage, examining the truck for mechanical breakdowns, checking the driver for impaired or fatigued driving etc. All this can prove to be vital evidence in establishing liability and any accident insurance claim.

Common causes of truck accidents

Large trucks can push other cars into other vehicles and objects. 

According to Will County, IL truck accident lawyers, some of the most common causes of truck accidents are:

Driver fatigue – Truck drivers by law should not exceed certain driving hours without a period of rest. However, they often violate these regulations in order to make extra or overtime pay. A fatigued driver is a risk to himself and the public because of the fact that his reaction times are reduced and his judgement is negatively affected.

Impaired driving – Truck drivers embark on long, lonely journeys and often turn to psycho stimulants to cope with the nature of their work.

Mechanical failures – Trucks are large vehicles with complicated systems and innumerable moving parts that require to be serviced often. Poor maintenance can lead to mechanical failure which can lead to fatal accidents.

Now we saw this in the show Sons of Anarchy when Clarence 'Clay' Morrow (Ron Perlman) sabotaged the bike of Jackson 'Jax' Teller’s (Charlie Hunnam) father’s motorcycle. This caused the bike to break down while he was riding on the highway killing him. Jax eventually found out about this and beat down Clay for it and kicked him out of the Sons of Anarchy – this and for other reasons.

Loading issues –There are limits on loads and how they should be loaded. Failure to do so or overloading will result in the center of gravity of the truck moving substantially which is a recipe for disaster as it will result in partial or complete loss of control during operation.

Truck drivers need to say no to alcohol for sure. Will County, IL truck accident lawyers have seen truck drivers make some terrible mistakes. 

There are several ways in which evidence can be used to establish fault and liability. Therefore, if you are a victim an accident caused by a commercial vehicle, make sure to consult an Illinois truck accident lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive a fair settlement.

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