An 80,000-pound truck against a passenger car is not a fair fight, and the trucking company's insurer will have investigators at the scene before the tow truck leaves. You need someone on your side who moves just as fast.
Who can be liable in a truck crash
- The driver (fatigue, speed, distraction, impairment)
- The trucking company (negligent hiring, hours-of-service violations, pressure to speed)
- The cargo loader (overloaded or shifting loads)
- The maintenance contractor (brake and tire failures)
- The truck or parts manufacturer (defects)
More liable parties means more insurance policies, which matters when injuries are severe.
Evidence we lock down immediately
- Electronic logging device (ELD) and engine control module ("black box") data
- Driver qualification file, drug and alcohol test results, hours-of-service logs
- Dashcam and forward-facing camera footage
- Dispatch records, bills of lading, and maintenance logs
- Post-crash inspection reports
We send a spoliation letter within days demanding preservation. Trucking companies are only required to keep some records for six months.
Federal rules that help your case
Interstate carriers are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA): limits on driving hours, mandatory rest, inspection requirements, and minimum insurance of $750,000 or more. A violation is powerful evidence of negligence.