Michigan Truck Accident Legal Discovery — Truck Driver

Thorough legal discovery is critical to the ultimate success of Michigan truck accident cases. Personal injury lawyers handling Michigan truck cases should file discovery such as interrogatories, requests for production, notice of depositions and requests for admissions with the complaint. Legal discovery in most commercial truck accident cases begins with the driver.

The commercial truck driver is often the key to your accident case. Experienced truck accident attorneys should look deeper than the circumstances surrounding the crash itself. To begin, examine the truck driver’s employment records and the reasons he or she left each prior job. The driver’s training should be analyzed, especially the training received under the current employer. Also, be sure to focus on the training as it relates to the cause of the Michigan truck accident. For example, if the accident was caused by an improper turn, the trucker should be questioned about proper turning. The driver should also be familiar with the rules and regulations governing the trucking industry. Therefore, you should establish the degree of the driver’s awareness of those rules.

Inquire into the driver’s medical history and any current medications prescribed, because many Michigan drivers still get behind the wheel, despite having disabilities and taking strong medications that alter their performance.

Truck drivers often keep cameras in the cab to take pictures of a truck accident scene. If photos were taken, request copies. Also ask whether the driver completed an incident and offense report that is used internally by the trucking company.

Attorneys often overlook the driver’s personal information. For example, what is the driver’s nickname or handle? This can be useful if the truck driver is called “Speed Demon” (actual case), “Death Dealer” or “The Hammer.” This helps when a trucking company refuses to admit responsibility during trial and the insurance company lawyers are trying to explain that “Speed Demon” didn’t really cause the crash that killed your client.

With a strong foundation of legal discovery in truck accident cases, the lawyers of Michigan Auto Law have helped enforce important truck safety regulations to make our roads safer. No other law firm in Michigan has received more jury verdicts or consistently higher settlements for truck accident cases. In fact, the vast majority of our wrongful death and personal injury cases from truck accidents are referred to us by local attorneys, based upon our record of experience and success.

To request a free, no obligation case evaluation with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys, please fill out our contact form and we will respond to your inquiry within one business day. Or to speak to an attorney immediately, please call (800) 777-0028.