Truck Accidents

A collision with a fully loaded tractor-trailer is not simply a bigger car crash. The vehicle is governed by federal safety regulations, operated by a driver whose hours and qualifications are documented, maintained under required inspection schedules, and insured under policies many times larger than a personal auto policy.

All of that creates evidence — and all of that evidence sits in the hands of the company being investigated. Preservation letters need to go out immediately, before routine retention schedules do the deleting.

Evidence that disappears

• Electronic logging device (ELD) records showing hours of service
• Engine control module and telematics data — speed, braking, throttle
• Dashcam and facility camera footage
• Driver qualification file, training records, and prior violations
• Maintenance and inspection history for the tractor and trailer
• Dispatch records, bills of lading, and load weight documentation

Who can be responsible

Liability in a trucking case frequently extends past the driver. The motor carrier may be responsible for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring schedules that push drivers past legal hours. A separate company may own the trailer, load it, or perform the maintenance. Brokers and shippers can have exposure in some circumstances.

Identifying every responsible party matters because each one may carry its own insurance. In catastrophic cases, that difference determines whether the recovery can actually fund a lifetime of care.