Los accidentes de camiones, incluidos los que involucran camiones de reparto de Amazon, tienen una probabilidad desproporcionada de provocar lesiones graves o catastróficas. Las compañías de camiones que operan en Texas tienen la responsabilidad legal de proteger la seguridad pública. Si causan un accidente por su negligencia, pueden ser considerados responsables de la totalidad de los daños resultantes.
To maximize your recovery in a truck accident claim, you need strong evidence that proves the trucker and/or trucking company’s liability. Here, our Houston truck accident attorney provides an in-depth guide to the evidence that you can use to prove fault in a truck accident claim.
Antecedentes: Texas es un Estado de responsabilidad proporcional por culpa.
Como punto de partida, es importante entender cómo funciona la responsabilidad por accidente de camión en el Estado de Texas. Texas es una jurisdicción de accidentes de vehículos de motor basada en la culpa. La parte que es responsable de causar un accidente por negligencia o de otro tipo de acciones / inacciones indebidas puede ser considerado legalmente responsable de los daños.
Además, según la legislación de Texas(Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 33.001), la responsabilidad por daños se distribuye proporcionalmente. Esto significa que el nivel exacto de culpa importa. Una empresa de camiones que sea responsable del 100% de un accidente puede ser considerada responsable de todos los daños. Sin embargo, una empresa de camiones considerada responsable del 75% de un accidente, sólo puede ser responsable del 75% de los daños.
What Types of Evidence Do You Need to Prove Fault in a Texas Truck Accident Claim?
Las grandes compañías de camiones comerciales (y sus proveedores de seguros) están interesados principalmente en proteger sus ganancias. Después de un accidente de camión en Texas, quieren resolver el caso por la cantidad más baja posible. Estas partes no pierden tiempo en la construcción de su estrategia de defensa. Es crucial que las víctimas tengan acceso a las pruebas que necesitan para demostrar lo que realmente sucedió. Las pruebas pertinentes pueden incluir:
- Fotografías de los daños del vehículo
- Fotografías del lugar del accidente;
- Su testimonio personal;
- Una declaración de un testigo ocular;
- El informe de la policía;
- Registros de teléfonos móviles;
- Registros de inspección de la empresa de camiones;
- Datos de grabación de la caja negra; y
- Testimonio de un perito.
All large truck accidents in Harris County require a thorough investigation. An experienced attorney will help you take proactive measures to secure all relevant evidence—including the evidence that is held directly by the truck company or its insurers. An attorney can then assemble the evidence to make a strong, compelling case that proves that the trucking company’s negligence contributed to the accident.
How to Collect and Preserve Evidence After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, it’s crucial to act quickly and strategically to collect and preserve evidence that can strengthen your case. The actions you take immediately following the crash can have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim. Here’s how you can ensure that key evidence is preserved:
- Act Quickly at the Scene: As soon as you’re able to do so safely, gather as much information as possible. Take note of the accident details, including the time, location, and conditions at the time of the crash. The sooner you collect evidence, the more reliable and relevant it will be.
- Avoid Altering the Scene: While it’s important to gather information, it’s also essential not to disturb or alter the scene in any way. Leave the vehicles in place and avoid moving any debris unless it’s necessary for safety or medical reasons. Preserving the scene as close to the moment of impact as possible can help investigators later analyze what happened.
- Involve the Authorities: Always contact law enforcement after a truck accident. A police report provides an official record of the accident and may include critical details such as traffic violations or signs of negligence. This report can also serve as a starting point for your legal claim.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed notes of everything that happens in the days and weeks following the accident. This includes interactions with the truck company, their insurer, witnesses, and medical providers. Documentation helps build a timeline that can be vital for proving liability.
- Preserve Your Health and Medical Information: Prompt medical attention is vital not only for your health but also for documenting your injuries. Seek treatment immediately and follow all doctor recommendations. Having a complete record of your injuries is essential for calculating your damages later.
- Work with an Experienced Lawyer: Navigating the legal complexities of a truck accident claim can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process of collecting and preserving evidence and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to support your claim. Legal professionals can also help secure evidence that might otherwise be difficult to obtain, such as maintenance records or black box data.
By acting quickly, staying organized, and working with a knowledgeable attorney, you can preserve the crucial evidence needed to build a strong case and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the claims process.
What to Do If the Truck Company or Insurer Won’t Release Evidence
After a truck accident, the truck company or its insurer may try to avoid releasing evidence that could hurt their defense. This is a common tactic, but there are steps you can take to ensure you get access to the information you need.
- Request Evidence Immediately: As soon as you are able, request all relevant evidence from the truck company or insurer. This includes maintenance records, driver logs, black box data, and any incident reports they may have. Be specific about what you are requesting and keep a record of all communications.
- Send a Formal Demand Letter: If the truck company or insurer refuses to release evidence, you may need to send a formal demand letter. This letter should clearly outline the evidence you are requesting and why it’s critical for your case. Be firm but polite in your request.
- Preserve Evidence Through Legal Means: If the company continues to withhold evidence, your attorney can help you secure it through legal means. This may involve sending a subpoena, which legally compels the truck company to produce certain documents or records. A subpoena is a powerful tool in obtaining evidence that would otherwise be difficult to access.
- Take Action to Protect Your Rights: If the truck company is attempting to hide or destroy evidence, it may be engaging in spoliation of evidence, which is illegal. If you suspect that evidence is being withheld or destroyed, your lawyer can file a motion with the court to compel the production of that evidence. In some cases, a court may impose sanctions on the truck company for its failure to comply.
- Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer: Navigating these challenges on your own can be difficult, especially when dealing with large trucking companies and their powerful insurers. An experienced truck accident lawyer can take the necessary steps to force the release of evidence and ensure your rights are protected. They have the legal expertise and resources to handle the complexities of trucking accident cases, including fighting for critical evidence.
Truck companies and their insurers have vast resources at their disposal, but you don’t have to face them alone. By working with a skilled attorney, you can level the playing field and ensure that all necessary evidence is preserved and made available for your case. Don’t let the trucking company or its insurer hide the truth—take action to protect your claim and your rights.
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At the Kolodny Law Firm, our team of the best Houston truck accident lawyers is a relentless advocate for injured victims and their families. If you have any specific questions about preparing the evidence to prove fault in an eighteen-wheeler accident claim, we are more than ready to help.
Call us now or use our online contact form to set up your free consultation. With a law office in Houston, we handle truck accident claims in Harris County and throughout Southeast Texas.
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Alan Kolodny está comprometido a representar a clientes lesionados en Texas y en todo Estados Unidos. Alan obtuvo su licenciatura en la Universidad Rice y su doctorado en Derecho en la Universidad Metodista del Sur.
Centra su práctica en la representación de demandantes en casos de lesiones personales relacionados con los siguientes asuntos: accidentes marítimos y de alta mar, incluidos los contemplados en la Ley Jones; accidentes automovilísticos y de camiones de 18 ruedas; y accidentes laborales, accidentes relacionados con el trabajo y reclamaciones de trabajadores ferroviarios lesionados en virtud de la Ley Federal de Responsabilidad de los Empleadores.
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