Lawsuits originating from truck accidents can end up costing millions of dollars, so it is important that you take it seriously when someone files a lawsuit against your truck driver or the trucking company as a whole. You will need an experienced truck accident lawyer to guide you through the process and defend your case. While some accidents can be the result of someone's negligence, even where every procedure is followed correctly, there will always be the possibility of an accident that is out of your control. For that reason, it can also be helpful to take proactive steps before an accident has occurred, as this will help your truck accident lawyer should the situation ever arise.

Let's take a look at some of the steps you can take to prepare yourself in case of a lawsuit following a truck accident.

Evidence is Important

When defending a truck accident lawsuit, your truck accident lawyer will use the available evidence. The evidence is crucial as it will help your lawyer disprove fault or at least minimize your liability. Some of this evidence will come from the accident itself, especially things like dashcam or surveillance footage and black box data. However, getting into good practice habits with other documentation ahead of any accidents can also be very valuable to your truck accident lawyer.

Keep Your Receipts

It is always good practice to have your truck drivers keep or submit copies of their receipts when they are out on the road. You might be surprised at just what can be used to prove or disprove who is at fault in a truck accident. Suppose your driver is being accused of exceeding service hours or falsifying their logs at the time of an accident. In that case, your truck accident lawyer can use receipts for things like gas, lodging, and food to help validate the logs by showing when and where stops were made.

Meticulous Maintenance Records

It is also essential that you keep track of your maintenance records for every truck in your fleet. Not only will this help to prove that you have fulfilled your responsibility to keep the vehicles in good working order, but it can also support the accuracy of your logbooks. Proper maintenance records can prove that you took sufficient time to repair a vehicle fully and were not rushing them through the process to avoid downtime. When comprehensive records are kept, it is harder for a plaintiff to go after you for negligence and could reduce your liability considerably.

Comprehensive Personnel Records for Drivers

As a trucking company, it is necessary to do due diligence when hiring a driver. Keep records demonstrating that you have verified the driver has the correct qualifications and a clean driving record. It is also wise to document the dates and results of drug and alcohol testing on all of your drivers, as this is a requirement of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is also best to keep records of all training that has been provided to the driver by your company. All this information can help a truck accident lawyer demonstrate that you have done everything possible to ensure that your drivers are fully trained and educated in how to handle their vehicle safely. This can help to reduce your liability in the event of an accident.

Why Choosing the Right Truck Accident Lawyer Matters

Choosing the right truck accident lawyer to prepare your defense in a truck accident lawsuit is crucial. These cases can be complex and will often involve multiple defendants, each with their own percentage of the fault. Having someone who is experienced in handling this type of lawsuit. At Butler, Vines, and Babb, we have several lawyers who are experienced in truck accident defense, and we are prepared to reach the scene quickly to help preserve evidence. We also have a medical doctor consulting with us and a number of other experts who can assist us in finding a fair resolution to your case. We have put together a rapid response team for our truck accident cases, including medical and engineering experts and accident reconstruction professionals. This allows us to collect all of those important facts, talk to witnesses, and everything else that might help with the case. You will struggle to find a truck accident lawyer in Knoxville with more experience.

Accidents involving larger vehicles like trucks and trailers will often result in more severe injuries than other traffic accidents. There are also more fatalities. It is very common for injured parties to go after the truck driver or the trucking company that they are employed by, even though it may not directly be their fault. Many truck accidents are actually caused by car drivers driving irresponsibly around trucks. The right truck accident lawyer will help defend you against such claims and negotiate the best results.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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