Attorney Investigation of CMV Accidents: Strategies for Identifying Key Issues, Recognizing Pivotal Evidence

This CLE webinar will guide attorneys for plaintiff or defense in the best strategies and practices for investigating a commercial motor vehicle case, with a particular focus on tractor-trailer accidents. The panel will discuss how counsel's leading or hands-on involvement in the investigation can increase the value of the plaintiff's case or be the key to substantially reducing the time and expense to the defense.

Litigation frequently follows a trucking accident with personal injury or property damage. Much of the evidence needed to pursue or defend claims gets cleared away from the scene quickly or goes unrecognized by non-attorneys. Careful and thorough investigation and inspection of the scene and vehicles often differentiate a satisfactory or disappointing result for either side.

Both plaintiff and defense counsel must be thoroughly familiar with the trucking company and drivers' requirements under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act regulations. Counsel should also understand the trucking business, trucking equipment, and the investigation process. Counsel should identify where requirements were overlooked, done incorrectly, or too late.

Counsel will benefit from retaining experts who can assist in identifying key issues and reduce the risk of missing pivotal evidence that may prove or disprove liability. What experts to hire and when is crucial. Furthermore, it is impossible to overstate the importance of counsel's being as hands-on as possible in all phases of investigation because only counsel may be able to recognize the legal significance of the evidence.

Listen as this experienced panel discusses how to properly investigate a trucking accident in light of either bringing or defending a personal injury case.