This is the fourth step to follow in the unfortunate event that you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident.

4.  Fourth, the accident scene with the truck needs to be diagrammed and measured.  Most of the time, the investigating law enforcement officer will prepare a diagram as part of the report that will include the location of the semi-tractor and trailer and other motor vehicles in the position they came to rest after the accident.  However, sometimes those law enforcement officers do not make all the necessary measurements.  Likewise, the law enforcement officer may not diagram or measure roadway markings, including skid marks, scuff marks, oil marks, gouges and physical debris.  In addition to photographing and/or videotaping the roadway markings, these need to be measured and diagrammed.  It is recognized that most people do not carry tape measures with them in their motor vehicles, but if you or a witness at the scene doesn’t have a measuring device, then at least walk off these distances and record them.

Again, many of the roadway markings and even indentations left by the truck and trailer or other motor vehicles can be diagrammed and measured days and sometimes weeks after the accident.  This is not ideal, but it is better than not having this information.
In significant trucking accident cases, our law firm can send an investigator to the accident scene to collect and record this type of information.  We can be reached at our website www.truckaccidentlegalcenter.com or our toll free number (800) 943-4529.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am and is filed under Truck Accident. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.