Injured in a Truck Accident in South Carolina?
At David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers, our South Carolina tractor-trailer attorneys know how devastating these collisions can be when passenger vehicle drivers and their occupants are subjected to an 80,000-pound vehicle crashing into their car, truck, or SUV.
The size, weight, and limited maneuverability of semi-trucks can cause these horrific accidents in seconds and change our clients’ lives forever, as the injuries associated with 18-wheeler collisions are often catastrophic when they are not fatal.
Our clients deserve to know who or what caused the crash to occur, so they can pursue the negligent party whether it was the truck driver, trucking company, or another third party for the damages that resulted.
Our skilled semi-truck accident attorneys in South Carolina are committed to giving each of our clients the opportunity to pursue the best outcome for their unique cases, so they can get their lives back. We will do the same for you, starting with a consultation today.
Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers represent individuals and families who have been hurt or have lost a loved one in:
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boat Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Negligent Security
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Sexual Abuse
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- Workers’ Compensation
- Wrongful Death
- Rideshare Sexual Assault
What are the Most Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in South Carolina?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8.3% of all fatal crashes in South Carolina last year involved a tractor-trailer, which accounted for 83 fatalities and hundreds of severe injuries.
When someone is hurt in a semi-truck collision, the potentially liable parties can include the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer or maintenance crew, cargo loaders, or a combination of each.
South Carolina semi-trucks most commonly occur for one or more of the following reasons:
- Driver Fatigue
When drivers push their hours of service past the legal limits or simply do not get enough rest or sleep during their off hours — they are placing everyone on our roadways in danger.
- Speeding
Semi-trucks can haul a trailer that is 53 feet long and combined with the driver’s cab, the commercial vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a truck driver is speeding, several things can occur that have devasting results. They can lose control of the vehicle, causing it to jackknife, which can cause a catastrophic collision. Trucks carrying this much weight also take a much longer time to stop, which could lead to the semi-truck crashing into other vehicles, or worse, over the top of other vehicles causing severe injuries or death.
- Distracted Driving
Any activity that causes a semi-truck driver to look away from the road may significantly increase the chances of a devastating tractor-trailer accident occurring. While it is illegal for any truck driver to use their cellphone while operating a tractor-trailer, the activity persists, which can lead to serious crashes that put our residents in danger.
- Failing to Account for Blind Spots
Tractor-trailers have blind spots in multiple places around the truck, which must be checked carefully before changing lanes or turning. When a smaller passenger vehicle is caught next to a semi-truck, their vehicle can be easily crushed on impact, causing serious injuries or death to the occupants.
- Poor Company Hiring & Training Practices
Trucking companies are required to hire drivers with commercial driver’s licenses, adequate experience, and the ability to pass medical and background checks. When they forego the required hiring protocols or place inexperienced drivers behind the wheel without the proper training, people are going to get hurt.
- Mechanical Failures or Vehicle Defects
Tractor-trailers must be maintained according to guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When the driver, trucking company, or maintenance crews do not maintain a proper maintenance schedule or avoid replacing the necessary parts before they fail, people are going to get hurt, and each party may be liable for their negligent role in the collision.
- Overweight or Unbalanced Loads
When a tractor-trailer is overloaded, improperly loaded, or unbalanced, rollover accidents can occur the moment the weight inside the trailer shifts.
Each of these scenarios may be caused by one or more party that carries different insurance policies and varying liability structures, which is why it is important to discuss your 18-wheeler accident with an attorney in South Carolina to ensure all parties are held accountable for your full financial recovery.
How Can the David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers Help with My South Carolina Tractor-Trailer Case?
Talking with an experienced South Carolina semi-truck accident attorney can help you understand the extent of your injuries and what it will take to ensure you can regain the quality of life you enjoyed before the collision occurred.
That means allowing our personal injury law firm to take the lead in your case, so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery, while we identify the liable parties.
Our skilled personal injury lawyers in South Carolina will take the lead in your case by:
- Routing all insurance company communication through our office
- Reviewing the police report and interviewing the first responders for important details regarding the cause of the crash
- Investigating the crash scene, vehicles, and any public footage of the collision
- Interviewing witnesses who were at the scene
- Outlining your complete financial recovery needs
- Compiling a demand letter for the insurance company
- Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf
If our negotiations with the insurance company break down at any point, we will pursue your case inside the courtroom, where our aggressive trial-tested litigators have produced positive results for our clients and their families, so they can get their lives back on track.
Contact Our Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys in South Carolina for a consultation
If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, contact our skilled semi-truck accident attorneys in South Carolina at the David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers today at 803-258-6199. We provide consultations for all South Carolina injury residents, and never charge any legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.