Uncovering Hidden Truths: Ryan Ross on the Role of Private Investigators
After a catastrophic crash, families want to know more than what happened. They want to know why. In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus talks with Ryan Ross, a former investigative newspaper reporter who has spent 20 years as a private investigator helping trial lawyers and families uncover the truth after serious injuries and wrongful deaths.
Why the Police Report Is Only a Starting Point
Police officers focus on whether a crime was committed, and they are often stretched thin. A private investigator looks at civil liability and has time to dig deeper. One example: 911 callers. They often saw the vehicles before the crash and are independent witnesses, yet police frequently don’t contact them. Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, an injured person must prove they were less than 50% at fault, so every witness matters.
Peeling Back the Layers in Truck Crashes
When a commercial truck is involved, the driver is only the first layer. Behind them may be the trucking company that hired them, the company that needed the load shipped, and a broker in between. Ryan compares the work to peeling an onion: each record and federal filing can reveal another company that shares responsibility for unsafe hiring, training, or practices.
Drunk Driving, Bars, and Premises Cases
Many drunk drivers have little or no insurance, but in most states a claim may be possible against a bar that kept serving a visibly intoxicated person. Investigators track receipts, texts, surveillance video, and liquor license records. In slip-and-fall cases on icy commercial property, there is often no police investigation at all, so the private investigator builds the case from scratch.
Key Takeaways
- Time is your enemy. 911 recordings and most surveillance video can be overwritten in about 30 days.
- Get legal and investigative help as soon as you can, so you can focus on your recovery.
- Crashes happen for a reason. Finding that reason can bring answers and prevent future harm.
- If you witness someone get hurt, stop and leave your contact information. Your account could make all the difference.
Ways to Listen
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