Due to their sheer size and weight, a collision with a truck can be devastating. Many victims must contend with severe and sometimes life-altering injuries following an accident. While the moments immediately after your accident can be harrowing, acting quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights and interests is essential. Evidence from your accident is critical for establishing liability and recovering the compensation you deserve.
The seasoned attorneys from Feller & Wendt understand the unique complexities of truck accident cases and what to look for to build a solid claim on your behalf. We have several years of experience helping truck accident victims in Arizona hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies fully accountable for the harm they have caused. When we take your case, we will fight aggressively for your interests so you can devote 100% of your energy to your healing process.
4 Ways to Preserve Vital Evidence After an Arizona Truck Accident
As time passes after your accident, the likelihood of essential evidence being lost or destroyed rises exponentially. Many trucking companies only keep maintenance records for six months, and a truck driver could accidentally record over their black box data. To make matters worse, sometimes negligent parties may purposely destroy evidence.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to preserve evidence of your accident and strengthen your claim for compensation. If you were injured in a truck accident in Arizona, consider taking the steps below:
Obtain Witness Contact Information
If you can, speaking to witnesses after your accident and recording their contact information is critical. Witness statements add credibility to your claim and provide an objective view of the accident and its causes. If you are too injured to speak to witnesses after your accident, the responding police officer should be able to obtain this information and relay it to you.
Backup Your Photos and Videos
A slip of your finger or an unlocked phone in your back pocket could cause you to accidentally delete all of the photos and videos you took of your accident. To avoid this unfortunate mistake, upload your photos and videos to your computer for safe storage. As an extra layer of protection, you can email them to a trusted friend or family member for safekeeping until you retain the services of an attorney.
Hire a Skilled Attorney
In addition to organizing, storing, and acting on any evidence you collect, an attorney can conduct a more extensive investigation into your accident. Some essential evidence, such as the driver’s cell phone records, black box device, and driving record, may be impossible to obtain on your own since trucking companies are unlikely to comply with an informal investigation. Your attorney can work to secure the evidence you need and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Send a Spoliation of Evidence Letter
Once you have an attorney on your side, they can quickly notify the trucking company about your claim and send a spoliation of evidence letter. This letter will lay out the evidence your attorney needs from the company, such as black box data, driving, and maintenance records. After a spoliation of evidence letter is sent, the trucking company is not legally allowed to alter or destroy any evidence relevant to your accident.
Partner With a Trusted Truck Accident Attorney at Feller & Wendt
At Feller & Wendt, our attorneys dedicate themselves to protecting truck accident victims’ rights in Arizona and securing favorable outcomes for their claims. We understand how much your injuries may be impacting your life and will work tirelessly to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation available for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
Our talented attorneys have extensive experience taking on large trucking companies and will fight to hold all negligent parties fully accountable for the harm they have caused. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (480) 702-2277 or complete our contact form today.
