Can you imagine being rear-ended by a massive tractor-trailer on a South Carolina highway? In the blink of an eye, you could have life-changing injuries and hundreds of thousands in medical bills. Sadly, thousands of serious truck accidents happen annually, with countless injuries, and at least 5,000 people are killed. This trend seems to be continuing in South Carolina as more people move south and do business.
If you were hurt in a truck accident and the trucker was responsible, you deserve compensation for your injuries. A skilled truck accident lawyer at Palmetto State Injury Attorneys can review the accident and determine who could be responsible for your losses.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
If you were hit by a tractor-trailer, you may not know what caused the crash. Our experienced truck crash attorneys will investigate your case and determine if the trucker or his employer were at fault. Common causes of truck accidents are:
Driver Fatigue
Truckers must drive long hours and may need to sleep during daylight hours, which can be hard. This makes it more likely they could fall asleep while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires truckers to rest a certain amount per shift. The FMCSA also has the maximum number of hours truckers can drive and work during a week. But some truckers and their employers flout the rules to get their shipments delivered faster.
Distracted Driving
Driving while distracted by a cell phone, radio, GPS, etc., is always dangerous, but a truck driver being distracted can be disastrous for other motorists. If the trucker was distracted and caused an accident, our truck accident attorneys can interview witnesses and review cell phone records to determine if the trucker was negligent.
Drunk Or Drugged Driving
Some truckers rely on drugs or alcohol to get them through their long shifts. Drunk or drugged driving is always dangerous, but it is the most hazardous when a trucker is under the influence.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Defective truck parts can cause a mechanical failure that leads to a disastrous truck accident. For example, if the air brakes on the truck fail, the truck could slam into another vehicle in traffic and seriously injure or kill the driver.
Why Truck Crashes Are Different
Any motor vehicle accident can cause injuries, but truck accidents are in their own category. The size and weight of the vehicle can cause grave and often fatal injuries that may be worse than in a regular auto accident. There also are greater risks of property damage and death in truck accidents.
Plus, trucking companies have large commercial insurance policies that could lead to higher potential settlements. But trucking insurance companies have tough attorneys who will try to deny responsibility for the accident and shortchange you. That’s why having Palmetto State Injury Attorneys fighting for you is critical.
Speak To Our South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers
If you were hurt in a recent truck crash and you think the driver was at fault, you could be entitled to compensation in a truck crash lawsuit. You should talk to one of our truck accident attorneys today by calling (843) 823-6237. We will review your truck crash case and determine who could be liable and what you may deserve in compensation.