Truck accident claims in St. Louis, MO can become complicated quickly. Large commercial vehicles are subject to strict safety rules, and the injuries in these crashes are often severe. Insurance companies and trucking companies will fight to limit what they pay, so the outcome of your case often depends on the quality and detail of the evidence you present.
Having strong evidence is essential if you want to secure fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. Some of the most important types of evidence include the following:
Police Reports
After any truck collision in St. Louis, Missouri, officers who respond to the scene prepare a formal accident report. They’ll show where and when the accident happened, the vehicles and drivers involved, and who received citations or appeared to be at fault on first observation. Having this official document puts your side of the story on record.
Photographs and Videos
If you’re able, use your phone to take as many pictures as you can after the motor vehicle collision in St. Louis. Show the position of the trucks and other vehicles, the damage they’ve suffered, any signs or lights nearby, and even the weather, road surface, or spill debris. Dash cam footage or even nearby business surveillance cameras can capture a crash as it happens, sometimes making all the difference in a disputed case.
Eyewitness Statements
People who saw your accident can offer details that you might not have noticed. Juries and insurance adjusters also sometimes value the words of third parties who don’t have a stake in the case. If you’re able to speak with a witness, write down their name and phone number right away so you can have your truck accident lawyer in St. Louis speak with them to help build your case. These accounts can clear up he said/she said disputes if the other side tries to argue about what happened.
Medical Records
Showing a clear link between the crash and your injuries is the foundation of your claim. Thorough, accurate medical records from right after the accident and throughout your treatment will support your case. Keeping notes on your pain, daily struggles, and limitations, plus documenting every visit, medication, and therapy session, can be strong evidence when insurance adjusters question your suffering or ability to work.
The Truck’s Black Box
Most large trucks on Missouri’s roads have an event data recorder, or “black box,” that tracks what the vehicle was doing in the moments before, during, and after a collision. These devices log information like how fast the truck was going, whether the brakes were applied, sudden stops or swerves, and how long the driver had been behind the wheel. In some cases, the data can show if federal rules about driving hours were violated.
It’s important to act fast – this information can be overwritten or lost if not secured quickly after the accident. A skilled attorney can take legal steps to preserve black box data before it disappears.
Truck Company and Driver Records
Looking at the driver’s logs and employment files can reveal warning signs like working too many hours, fatigue, or a pattern of past accidents. Medical issues, disqualifying health conditions, or even a lack of proper licensing sometimes come to light on closer inspection. Problems with a company’s hiring or management practices can increase their liability for your injuries.
Maintenance Records
Mechanical failures, like worn brakes or failing tires, are often at fault in truck crashes. By looking at maintenance logs and inspection documents, a lawyer can determine if the company skipped required repairs or ignored known problems.
Specialists and Reconstruction Experts
Sometimes it’s challenging to show exactly what happened in a truck accident. This is where accident reconstruction experts come in. They use engineering methods, physical evidence, and digital tools to map out the crash and explain how it occurred.
Cell Phone Data
Distracted driving causes all types of car accidents, and truck drivers are no exception. Texting, checking emails, or talking on the phone while driving is incredibly dangerous when behind the wheel of such a large, powerful vehicle. Cell phone records can be obtained by subpoena and often reveal if a driver was using their phone leading up to the accident.
Understanding and collecting this evidence right away is essential to building a strong case. If you have any questions about your next steps or how to get started, contact Meyerkord & Kurth today to schedule a free consultation.