In any auto accident case, getting relevant evidence as quickly as possible is critical to getting justice and compensation an injury victim deserves. After an auto accident with an 18 wheeler, it is even more crucial. Due to the nature of most Texas truck accidents, if you were involved in a Corpus Christi trucking accident, it is important to secure the representation of some of the best trucking accident attorneys in Corpus Christi that you can find. Start first by reviewing the article below, and make sure, that any trucking accident lawyer in Corpus Christi that you choose, is willing to go through the steps below to get you the compensation you deserve.
Steps the Best 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Corpus Christi take After a Trucking Accident
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations requires all commercial vehicle drivers to comply with safety laws designed to protect trucks driver and other road users. These safety requirements include obtaining a commercial driver’s license, hiring only trained and qualified drivers, complying with the maximum number of hours truckers can work, and ensuring the vehicles are in good condition before putting them on the roadways.
The following are some of the ways the best 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Corpus Christi get vital evidence to win Texas truck accident cases:
1. Getting Data from Electronic Logging Devices
A new rule by the Department of Transportation mandates the use of Electronic Logging Devices to ensure strict compliance with the maximum hours of service. These devices replace the logbooks previously used, which many times are falsified by truck drivers. Ensure your Corpus Christi truck accident lawyers obtain data from this device before its lost or destroyed. This will go a long way to determine if the driver was over his or her hours.
2. Checking the Crash Computer Data
Most 18-wheelers have a crash data system or “black box”. The black box records crash data like the speed at which the truck was moving during the accident, when and if the brakes were applied, and other important information. Your trucking accident attorney in Corpus Christi should pull the black box to determine if the driver was speeding or did not apply the brakes, an indication of distracted driving.
3. Going through the Maintenance Records
Maintenance records can be key evidence. It is important to secure these records as soon as possible. Trucking companies sometimes ignore basic safety requirements and general maintenance of the truck. Truck drivers might skip pre-trip inspections that are mandatory. The bad condition of the semi-truck might have been what caused the Corpus Christi truck accident you were involved in. Maintenance records will help you prove that.
4. Checking the Driver Qualification File
Each driver has a file with the trucking company. This file contains logs of the driver’s compliance with safety rules and violations of the rules. It also contains evidence about the driver’s qualifications and the training the driver has received. If the driver has been ticked multiple times and has had multiple safety violations, your 18-wheeler accident attorney in Corpus Christi will have a leg up if they have recovered the driver qualification file that proves that.
5. Getting Surveillance from Nearby Businesses
Homes and businesses in the vicinity where the truck accident occurred may have recorded a clear video of how the incident occurred. Identifying those cameras making sure your Corpus Christi truck accident attorney gets a copy of it may be crucial to your case.
Contact a Trucking Accident Attorney in Corpus Christi Now
If you or a loved one has been injured in Corpus Christi, Texas by an 18-wheeler, it’s in your best interest to contact a skilled truck accident attorney in Corpus Christi at once. Call the Corpus Christi truck accident lawyers at The Patel Firm PLLC for a free consultation. You can reach us at (361) 400-2036. Our 18-wheeler accident attorneys can walk you through the process and discuss a path towards financial compensation and getting what you need to recover from your injuries and losses.
At The Patel Firm PLLC, our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Corpus Christi will aggressively represent you and fight tooth and nail to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact The Patel Firm PLLC, a personal injury law firm in Corpus Christi, Texas today. Call, text, or email The Patel Firm PLLC at any time. Reach out to us today.
