How We Investigate Your Claim

Trucking companies take accidents involving their trucks seriously. Often, within only a few hours of a crash, investigators and lawyers for the company and its insurer will be on the scene. They will do everything possible to protect their interests.

This is why it is important to have your own legal team.

At Burch, George & Germany, our goal will be to do everything possible to protect your rights. By contacting us without delay after you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, we can get to work right away on conducting our own investigation into what happened.

Examining the Accident Scene

If we are contacted immediately, Burch, George & Germany can respond to the scene of a truck accident. We can document evidence such as:

• Vehicle damage
• Additional property damage (road signs, guardrails and landscaping)
• Debris, brake marks and skid marks
• Safety equipment such as flares (or a lack thereof)
• Statements from witnesses who saw, heard or were involved in the crash.

We can examine the truck involved in the accident. We can also look at the road itself to determine whether poor maintenance or road work may have contributed to the crash.

Because of cleanup and repair work, evidence at the truck accident scene could be lost if not gathered and preserved quickly after the crash. This makes it imperative to have an attorney working on your case as soon as possible.

Logbooks, Records and Other Data

We can also collect several types of data to determine the cause of a crash and who is at fault. We can gather records required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This data includes driver activity logs, contents of the “black box” (now found on most commercial trucks) and maintenance records.

Other records that can assist in a truck accident investigation include:

• Cell phone records that show whether a truck driver was on the phone and distracted at the time of an accident. They can also reveal the driver’s whereabouts prior to an accident. For example, these records can reveal whether he was awake and active instead of getting the sleep required by federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.
• Credit card records and/or receipts from motels, restaurants, convenience stores and toll roads. These records help to track the trucker’s activities leading up to the crash.
• Weather reports and traffic reports that show road conditions at the time of the wreck.
• Recall notices for trucks, truck parts and equipment to determine whether evidence exists that equipment failure contributed to the crash. Government studies and independent reviews can also answer questions about the truck, parts and equipment.
• Drug and alcohol test results, which show whether the truck driver was impaired.

Depositions and Medical Examinations

When Burch, George & Germany investigates a crash, we will interview carrier personnel or ex-personnel. These interviews will help us to determine a company’s work practices. We may also take depositions or acquire affidavits. These are formal statements given under oath.

We will also ask you, our client, to provide us access to your medical records and receipts and to maintain a log of your injuries and recovery, including advances and setbacks.

In some instances, the trucking company insurers may demand that you undergo a physical examination or depose you to determine the extent of your injuries. We can assist in making sure the deposition or examination is done properly.

Establishing Your Case

Using the evidence we have gathered, Burch, George & Germany can consult truck accident reconstruction experts, engineers, medical and financial experts and other expert witnesses to develop a comprehensive case on your behalf.

Our goal will be to clearly demonstrate who is at fault for your accident and the physical, emotional and financial harm the accident has caused you to suffer.

We can then go before the responsible parties (or their insurance companies) and negotiate for a proper settlement. If negotiations do not produce a settlement, we are more than ready to present a convincing case to a judge and jury.

Contact Our Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyers

Burch, George & Germany has a strong record of representing victims of serious truck accidents. We have a thorough knowledge of commercial trucking regulations in Oklahoma and of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We also have the experience and resources to go toe-to-toe with the largest trucking companies and their insurers.

Burch, George & Germany is dedicated to ensuring that Oklahoma truck accident victims receive the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, including long-term care or disability issues, as well as for property damage, lost income and their pain and suffering.

Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation.