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Time is of the Essence

It is often crucial that accident reconstruction experts visit the scene as soon as possible after the accident. Photographs taken soon after the accident can preserve crucial evidence such as the position and vector of crash debris and skid marks. The sooner we are called at the firm and notified, the earlier we can mobilize the crash investigation team to protect extremely valuable evidence from disappearing. Sometimes it could even be a matter of getting to the scene before the next rainfall.

Experts

Having the familiarity with the complexities of trucking industry crash investigation, we have developed a network that helps us quickly track down the location of the vehicles in the crash to have forensic investigators examine the vehicles to help preserve evidence about the crash.

Our familiarity with the trucking industry safety standards also allows us to make a quick analysis of pre-crash location of vehicles, safety standard violations, contractual and corporate relationships of the truck owner and operators. In some cases, the key ingredient to an early settlement was to quickly obtain fresh marks left in the highway from the crash and effective development of  physical, economic and intangible losses of the clients.

or example, in one out of state case the  focus was on which vehicle crossed over the center line and started the catastrophic chain of events that ended up taking the life of one of the passengers in the vehicle our client operated.  We were able to use the markings on the highway and an effective accident reconstruction expert to dispute the claims of the truck driver and definitely show that the 18 wheeler traveled outside of it’s lane and captured our client and his vehicle beneath the trailer of the 18 wheeler. The contact by the 18 wheeler at highway speeds was the cause of the devastating accident. Without the quick location of the tractor, trailer and an on sight investigation, the case would have been much more difficult to resolve.

 Trucking Safety Standards

The trucking industry has attempted to weaken the regulations that effect the operation of large trucks across the country. The firm has maintained the most current literature on the standards and work with experts to make sure that we were able to quickly identify which rules and regulations have been violated and hold the owners and operators accountable for violations.

Damages

One of the other areas of expertise that allowed favorable early settlement of the claims was quick and effective management of damage calculations. Our ability to meet and establish relationships with family, friends, employers, religious officials, and other important witnesses helped us develop a damage profile for the client that enhanced pre-litigation settlements.

Many of the witnesses that help provide critical damage evidence are often hard to find or are reluctant to participate. Reluctant witnesses will not participate in an effective way if they are not approached in an appropriate manner. The use of professional nurses and experience with consultants allow us to analyze the best approach to each witness and understand what we need to get from the witness and how we are going to approach the witness before contact is attempted.

Our vast experience with witnesses from all over the world have also enhanced our ability to move on a witness quickly and effectively if time does not permit a full witness evaluation.  In one case we were able to quickly verify the recollection of a tragic crash from 5 witnesses in an 18-wheeler truck crash. The quick action kept the witnesses from being manipulated by any corporate interests that may have been able to influence the witnesses in any way, shape or form. Witnesses involved in large scale tragedies such as 18-wheeler wrecks are often vulnerable to interrogation by corporate interests doing outcome oriented investigation. In three recent truck wreck cases we have been able to get out and meet with the witnesses and investigators to get critical data put together early to develop effective accident reconstructions on behalf of our clients and their families.

Carl Shaw
carls@oqlaw.com