If you were involved in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages. There are many potential lines of evidence to prove that a wreck that took place on an Illinois highway was caused by another party’s irresponsible behavior.
The driver may admit fault
It’s possible that a truck driver might admit that he or she was responsible for the crash, or the contents of this person’s statement could be used to infer that he or she caused the crash to happen. For example, this individual might tell a police officer that he or she hadn’t slept in over 24 hours or had taken a pain pill before the crash happened. This may be enough to prove that a commercial driver was driving while fatigued or under the influence of a controlled substance. In most states, these would both be considered negligent acts.
A toxicology report might help bolster your case
A toxicology report may indicate that a truck driver was impaired by drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications prior to causing a car accident. In some cases, the report might indicate that the other motorist had a combination of controlled substances in his or her system at the time of a crash.
Cellphone records might be useful during settlement talks
Cellphone records may indicate that an individual was on the phone when a wreck occurred. This might be considered evidence that driver distraction played a role in the collision taking place. Research has indicated that using a cellphone can still be distracting even if an individual has a hands-free device installed in his or her vehicle.
If it’s safe to do so, you are encouraged to start gathering evidence immediately after a wreck takes place. An attorney may be able to help you obtain witness statements, driver statements, or other information that might lead to a favorable outcome in your personal injury case.