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Presentation of evidence and witnesses

After opening statements, each side presents evidence and calls witnesses to support their version of events. In truck accident cases, this stage often involves technical records, expert testimony, and eyewitness accounts.

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  • Truck Accident Law Team
  • 2 min read
Article 3 of 6 in Trial Process for Truck Accident Cases/

Presentation of Evidence and Witnesses in Truck Accident Trials

Types of Evidence Presented

  1. Physical Evidence

    • Vehicle parts, cargo, or photographs of the accident scene.
    • Skid marks, debris, and road condition documentation.

  2. Documentary Evidence

    • Police reports, medical records, maintenance logs, and ELD data.
    • Employment files and safety compliance records from the trucking company.

  3. Electronic Data

    • Black box downloads showing speed, braking, and engine activity.
    • GPS records confirming routes and hours of service compliance.

Witness Testimony

  1. Eyewitnesses

    • People who observed the crash, describing driver behavior and road conditions.

  2. Victims and Family Members

    • Testify about the accident’s impact on their lives, health, and finances.

  3. Experts

    • Accident reconstruction specialists explain crash mechanics.
    • Medical experts discuss injuries, treatment, and prognosis.
    • Economic experts calculate lost wages and future costs.

  4. Defendants

    • Truck drivers, company representatives, or contractors may testify about policies, training, and accident details.

Order of Presentation

  • Plaintiff’s Case-in-Chief: Plaintiff presents all evidence first, building the case for negligence and damages.
  • Defense Case: Defense introduces evidence and witnesses to counter plaintiff’s claims or shift blame.
  • Rebuttal: Plaintiff may call additional witnesses to challenge defense evidence.
  • Evidence must comply with rules of admissibility (relevance, authenticity, reliability).
  • Testimony is given under oath and subject to cross-examination.
  • Strong presentation helps jurors connect complex trucking regulations and technical issues to real-world impacts.

Summary: The presentation of evidence and witnesses is the heart of a truck accident trial. Through documents, physical proof, and testimony, both sides build their case, with jurors ultimately weighing credibility and deciding liability.

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Truck Accident Law Team

Written by : Truck Accident Law Team

Attorneys, investigators, and legal writers focused on U.S. trucking safety, litigation strategy, and victim advocacy.

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