To win a truck accident case, you’ll need solid evidence like crash scene photos, black box data, driver logs, and expert analysis to prove liability. You will also need to establish the extent of your injuries with medical and billing records and evidence of the need for future treatment.
Other evidence that supports your truck claim includes the impact of your injuries on your employment, personal responsibilities, and simple enjoyment of life. The more evidence you can provide to support each of these aspects will directly influence your ultimate settlement or jury award.
Truck Accident Claims Come With High Stakes and Tough Challenges
Unlike other types of car crashes, collisions involving commercial vehicles often include multiple responsible parties, complex state and federal regulations, and access to data that may be quickly lost or intentionally concealed. If you’ve been injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle, gathering the right evidence can make or break your case.
At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, our experienced truck accident attorneys know where to find and how to preserve the critical evidence needed to hold companies and bad drivers accountable for the full extent of the damages they cause.
Why Evidence Matters More in Truck Accident Claims
Commercial truck companies and their insurers waste no time investigating accidents—often deploying teams to the scene within hours. That means while you’re dealing with injuries, they’re already building a defense.
Unlike standard car wrecks, truck crashes involve added complexities, such as:
- Federal trucking regulations (FMCSR)
- Texas trucking regulations
- Corporate entities (owners, contractors, cargo companies)
- Black box and GPS data
- Driver qualifications and maintenance logs
Without this evidence, it becomes much harder to prove negligence, causation, or the full value of your damages.
Critical Evidence That Can Help Your Truck Accident Case
Police Reports and Crash Scene Evidence
The police report is often the first document reviewed by insurance companies. It includes the officer’s observations, citations issued, and witness statements. Photos and videos from the scene—especially skid marks, debris, vehicle positions, and road conditions—can be vital.
Truck “Black Box”” and Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)
Most commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), also known as “black boxes.” These devices record:
- Speed at the time of the crash
- Brake usage
- Steering patterns
- Hours of service
The ELD logs whether the driver was complying with mandatory rest periods- violations of which can show negligence or fatigue.
Important: This data can be lost or overwritten quickly. A lawyer can send a spoliation letter to legally demand preservation.
Driver Logs and Company Records
The driver’s logbook, training records, and history of violations may show patterns of negligence or lack of supervision. Maintenance and inspection records can also uncover mechanical failures or skipped safety checks.
Dashcam and Surveillance Footage
Footage from the truck’s dashcam and other nearby security cameras may be used to capture the moments just before the crash.. This evidence can confirm fault, such as distracted, fatigued, or reckless driving.
Medical Records and Injury Documentation
It’s crucial to establish the link between the crash and your injuries. Keep records of ER visits, doctor evaluations, scans, and rehab, along with a journal documenting pain and limitations.
Expert Witnesses and Accident Reconstruction
In complex or disputed cases, lawyers often work with:
- Accident reconstructionists, trucking regulations experts, biomechanical engineers and human factors experts to analyze impact angles and speeds, rule violations, and injury causation and severity
- Medical experts to explain injury diagnosis and prognosis
- Vocational experts to estimate long-term earning losses
This adds credibility and helps support a larger settlement or jury verdict.
The Sooner You Act, The Better Your Chances for a Favorable Outcome
Time is not on your side. Trucking companies may only keep black box data for a limited period—sometimes just 30 days. Delays can result in lost or altered records, fading witness accounts, and missed opportunities to photograph evidence at the crash scene.
Though Texas law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, early legal action can preserve the strongest evidence, protect your rights, and boost the value of your case.
Don’t Handle a Truck Crash Claim Alone
Truck accident claims are high-stakes, high-pressure, and often involve experienced corporate legal teams. If you try to manage this process without a lawyer, you risk:
- Losing key evidence
- Accepting a lowball settlement
- Facing unfair blame for the crash
- Leaving money on the table for future medical costs or lost income
Working with experienced truck accident attorneys ensures you’re not outmatched or overlooked. At O’Hare and Koch, over five decades of experience, we treat every case with urgency, strategy, and care—because you only get one shot at justice.
Contact O’Hare and Koch Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, don’t wait. Our Dallas-based legal team is here to help you gather the right evidence, deal with the trucking companies, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact O’Hare and Koch today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re ready to get started when you are.
