Obtaining Truck Records in East Tennessee

When you file a truck accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for various expenses and losses you incurred due to the crash. Your case may provide you with financial recovery for your:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost income
• Lost future earning potential and job benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Lost enjoyment or quality of life
• Vehicle repairs or reimbursement of your car’s value

Yes, it’s crucial to call the police at the scene of a truck accident. The police can investigate the crash scene, gather information from the truck driver and other motorists and eyewitnesses, and prepare an accident report. Police crash reports often provide critical information for truck accident claims. 

Other steps you should take at the crash scene include:

• Check on everyone involved in the accident to see if anyone requires immediate medical attention.
• Move your vehicle out of the path of traffic if possible, or walk to the side of the road if your car has been disabled.
• Get the truck driver’s employer and insurance information and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks on the road, and traffic controls at the scene.
• Talk to eyewitnesses to obtain a brief statement of what they saw and their contact information.

In most cases, the insurer of the at-fault truck driver or the trucking company that employed the driver will pay you compensation for your truck accident claim if they are found liable. Other parties may also have liability for the accident, including:

• The truck’s owner 
• The cargo company
• The truck and trailer manufacturer
• Manufacturers of parts used on the truck
• Third-party auto shops that serviced the truck

You should contact a truck accident attorney immediately after a truck accident. A lawyer will know what it takes to thoroughly investigate the accident and prepare a compelling, persuasive legal claim. A lawyer can also document your injuries and losses and estimate future expenses to ensure you seek total compensation. Your attorney can also deal with trucking company representatives, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or bill collectors on your behalf so you can focus on healing.

Although liability for the truck accident is determined under traditional state negligence laws, other laws – such as state and federal trucking industry regulations – may affect the outcome of your case. For example, a truck driver’s violation of the federal or state hours-of-service regulations may serve as evidence that they were too tired to drive safely. Speak with your attorney to learn more about the laws that apply in your case.

Here are some factors that make truck accident cases more complicated than other kinds of auto accident claims:

• Truck accident victims often suffer more severe injuries that require longer, more expensive medical care.
• Truck accidents can injure more people than other types of crashes.
• Truck accidents may have multiple liable parties who will fight with each other to shift financial responsibility among themselves.
• Truck accident claims may involve lots of complex evidence.
• Trucking companies may have complicated corporate structures or layered insurance policies that make it difficult to determine the extent of financial assets available to the company.