South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney

Common Causes of South Carolina Truck Accidents

Vehicular accidents involving trucks are often the result of one of several factors. Many of these causes are rooted in the negligence or recklessness of one or more parties.

Many South Carolina truck accidents are caused by:

• Driver fatigue. Truck drivers frequently work long hours and cover significant distances. They are required by law to take mandatory rest breaks. When they fail to follow these rules, the resulting fatigue can decrease reaction time, impair judgment, and increase the likelihood of accidents.
• Distracted driving. Like all drivers, truck drivers can become distracted behind the wheel. This can include anything from using a mobile device to eating. Even a momentary lapse in focus can lead to catastrophic accidents, as the driver might fail to notice a sudden change in the road conditions or the actions of other vehicles.
• Speeding and reckless driving. In an attempt to meet tight deadlines, some truck drivers may exceed speed limits or drive recklessly. Such actions can compromise the driver’s ability to stop the truck or maneuver safely in an emergency, increasing the risk of an accident.
• Lack of training. Driving a truck requires specific skills and training. If a driver has not been properly trained and licensed, they may not be able to handle the truck safely, particularly in challenging driving conditions.
• Equipment failure. Not all truck accidents are caused by negligent or undertrained drivers. Issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, steering failure, or other mechanical problems can lead to devastating accidents. While this can sometimes be the fault of the driver’s failure to inspect and maintain the vehicle, it can also be due to manufacturing defects or inadequate maintenance conducted by a third party.
• Improper loading. Trucks need to be loaded properly to maintain balance. If a truck’s load is unbalanced or shifts during transit, it can make the truck unstable and cause the driver to lose control.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in South Carolina?

Identifying the liable parties in a truck accident case can be complex due to the many entities involved in the operation of a commercial truck. More than one party, including parties other than the driver, may be legally responsible for a crash. Our South Carolina truck accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine its precise cause and ascertain liability, ensuring all contributing factors are considered.

Some of the potential liable parties in a truck accident may include:

• The truck driver. The driver of the truck could be held liable if their negligent behavior, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or distracted driving, led to the accident.
• The truck driver’s employer. If the trucking company failed to maintain the vehicle properly, pushed the driver to exceed legal limits on driving time, or hired an unqualified or unsafe driver, the company may be held liable.
• The cargo loading company. If the cargo was improperly loaded or secured, causing it to shift during transit and cause an accident, the party responsible for loading the cargo could be held responsible.
• The truck’s maintenance company. Trucks require regular preventative maintenance to ensure safe operation. If the maintenance company fails in its duty to perform thorough and regular inspections and repairs, it could be held liable for an accident.
• The truck manufacturer. If a defect in the truck or one of its parts contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or defective component could be held liable.

Common South Carolina Truck Accident Injuries

Because trucks are so much larger and tend to weigh so much more than the typical vehicle, any collision can trigger catastrophic injuries. Even seemingly minor collisions can have tragic consequences, including wrongful death.