The Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that there are approximately 150,000 semi-truck accidents nationwide each. If you were involved in a commercial truck accident, it is imperative that the crash is thoroughly investigated. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on law enforcement, regulators, or the truck company for a comprehensive and impartial investigation. At House Law LLC, we are prepared to proactively investigate your accident. Here, our Kansas City trucking accident attorney highlights the key points to understand about semi-truck crash investigations.
The Police Will Respond to the Scene and Conduct an Initial Investigation of the Crash
All commercial truck accidents should be reported. In both Missouri and Kansas, injury collisions must be reported as a matter of law. A state or local law enforcement officer(s) should come directly to the scene of the truck accident to conduct an initial investigation. In a police accident report for a truck crash in Kansas City, you will typically find:
- Time, date, and location;
- The names of the drivers involved;
- A brief description of accident;
- Witness names (if applicable); and
- Traffic citations (if applicable).
The Truck Company (and its Liability Insurer) Will Investigate the Accident
Legal responsibility for a commercial truck accident in Kansas City is based on fault. For this reason, trucking companies—and their commercial insurance providers—generally begin investigating immediately in order to build their case and to minimize their fault. Sometimes, trucking companies will even have their attorneys on the scene of the accident to advise their clients in real time. Thus, the trucking company’s investigation of the accident is by no means an impartial investigation. Quite the opposite, it is a defense investigation. They are trying to gather any information that they can find to reduce their liability and limit an accident victim’s settlement.
Your Collision Should Be Investigated By a Kansas City Tractor Trailer Attorney
A police investigation of a truck accident may uncover important evidence. You should always take action to get a copy of the police report after a truck accident in Kansas City. However, a law enforcement investigation is rarely truly comprehensive. They are more concerned with controlling the scene. Further, a truck company’s investigation is biased against injured victims. Following a serious accident with a large truck, your crash should always be investigated by an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney can ensure that the crash is investigated properly—gathering and preserving all evidence that helps to prove the trucker/truck company’s negligence.
The Bottom Line: You do not have to take on the truck accident claims process alone. A top-tier Kansas truck accident lawyer will investigate your crash, gather evidence, and take action to help you prove fault and seek maximum financial compensation for your losses.
Speak to Our Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City tractor-trailer accident attorneys invest time, resources, and attention to detail in every case. Have specific questions about the investigation process? We can help. Reach out to us by phone or contact us online for a free case evaluation. With an office in Kansas City, our firm takes on negligent truck companies in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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