With an auto accident, Hudson Valley residents want to be as prepared as possible. While it is impossible to completely prevent accidents, being prepared can help you after the fact. One type of accident to be aware of is tractor trailer vs. car accidents. These come with their own set of circumstances that you want to be aware of so that you know what to do after the accident.
Exploring the Differences in Evidence Collection
When an accident occurs that involves two non-commercial vehicles, investigators will do things like get witness statements, check out any security footage that might have captured the accident, take pictures of the scene and involved vehicles and look at police reports. However, when a commercial vehicle is part of an accident, there are some specific things that must be done when collecting the various types of evidence. Everything done in a non-commercial accidents is done, but the following is also important:
Vehicle evidence is collected that includes things like maintenance history documentation, data GPS tracking system information, onboard system downloads and inspection history.
Driver evidence must be collected and includes things like the driver’s training file, driver inspection records, alcohol and drug screening after the accident, the driver’s qualifications and hours of service documentation.
Cargo evidence is also something investigators will collect and this can include trip envelopes, delivery documents, weight tickets, dispatch instructions and bills of lading.
The timeline involved will also play a major role when investigating this type of accident. When a semi truck is involved, the investigators must work much faster to preserve and collect any evidence associated with the accident. This is important because the driver’s documentation is only required to be kept for a short period of time according to the guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If a person wants to contact an attorney for this type of accident, they must do so right away since many documentation types will not exist after six months.
Liability Differences
When it comes to liability, there are differences when it comes to this type of accident. This kind of accident usually involves more parties than a typical accident involving only non-commercial vehicles. The relationships are more complex too. Instead of just the driver being liable, non-commercial vehicle drivers involved in the accident will also likely have to deal with the trucking company in addition to the driver.
As you can see, there is a lot to know about this type of auto accident in Hudson Valley. This information will help you to take the right steps after and know when it is time to get help from an attorney.
