Truck Accident Investigations

Hold the Negligent Driver Accountable

Mistakes can happen when driving, but negligence is preventable. Whether the extent of the damage is big or small, you should not have to suffer due to someone else's negligence. Truck drivers have more of an onus to stay safe on the roads and have a higher responsibility due to the type of truck they drive. These drivers need to be cognizant of the size of their truck.

In order to prove negligence, we will attempt to provide evidence for the following elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Duty

There must be a legal duty from one party to another. In the case of negligence with a truck accident, there is an inherent duty for the truck driver to drive responsibly and within the law. As well as the trucking company needing to maintain safe loading and maintenance practices.

Breach

There need to be a breach of this legal duty by one party failing to act as previously described.

Causation

It was the offender's actions or inactions that causes the injury and/or damage to the property.

Damages

As a result of the offender's actions there was an injury.

The Investigation of a Truck Accident

There are regulations mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that every trucking company maintains a driver qualification file (DQF) on all drivers. This information often plays a crucial part in an investigation into a truck accident. Here is what must be included in a DQF:

  • Driving records, including the accident history for both the driver and the truck
  • Road test results
  • Employment history for the driver
  • Drug and alcohol test results
  • Vehicle maintenance records
  • Records for service hours
  • Training certificates
  • Personnel records
  • Records of annual reviews
  • Copies of licenses
  • Any medical certifications
  • Employment applications

Our team of investigators will work diligently to obtain the proper records to help with your pending case. Trucking companies are of course a little hesitant to hand over these files, especially if they may be in store for liability with an accident. But through our years of experience, we can get to the bottom of it for you.

On top of obtaining aspects for a DQF, we will also aim to ensure that the driver in question meets all of the qualifications required in order to drive a commercial vehicle. All commercial vehicle drivers must have the following:

  • passed a recognized driving test
  • possess a valid commercial's driver's license
  • be at least 21 years old
  • read and speak English
  • be able to safely operate a vehicle
  • be able to properly load and secure cargo
  • possess a valid medical certificate
  • be in good health

As experienced investigators, we will investigate a number of factors regarding the truck accident, including whether the driver had consumed drugs or alcohol, how much time the driver was on the road since his last break, and gather information through a GPS device that can potentially show the truck's precise location and speed. And if possible, review the information recorded by the truck's black box, such as the truck's speed when the brakes were applied, velocity changes, sudden braking, changes in RPM, and gear shifts.

Contact IRC Today

Accidents are a traumatic experience and the effects can be even more devastating when a truck is involved. And sometimes the injuries in a truck accident can be life changing. Add in some negligence by the driver and it turns into a disastrous situation. Negligence when it comes to a truck accident can always be avoided. From speeding, to texting while driving, the guilty party should be held accountable.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident caused by driver negligence, then our investigation team can be called upon. We can help get to the bottom of the situation and lend advice on how to move forward. If you were involved in a trucking accident by driver negligence, then you may qualify for compensation. However, you may need help determining the cause of the truck accident and if negligence was involved, which is where our investigation team comes in to play. For more information about our investigation services, please reach out to us today.

Get Accident Investigator

The number for our office is 732-805-3985. When you call, we can provide you with a no-obligation consultation. We offer a wide variety of trusted investigative services, including for worker's comp, insurance fraud, and corporate investigations. Check out all of our investigative services today. Let's take a look at how our truck accident investigation services work and can help you with your case.