Commercial truck drivers are tasked with the responsible operation of enormous trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. Maneuvering these vehicles on highways, roads, and city streets can be challenging. Truck drivers must drive with utmost caution whenever they’re behind the wheel.
When a truck driver, trucking company, or another party involved in the truck’s operation is careless or reckless, however, a collision could leave accident victims with devastating injuries.
Whether a truck accident happens due to speeding, defective truck parts, improperly loaded cargo, or another cause, typically, the occupants of the smaller vehicles involved in the crash suffer severe injuries. Of the 4,119 people who died in large truck crashes in a single recent year, 82 percent were passenger vehicle occupants, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
If you were injured in an accident with a large truck, do not hesitate to turn to the Florence, South Carolina truck accident attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience helping people just like you hold negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other entities accountable after a severe injury crash.
Our determination has helped us secure millions for injured victims in settlements and verdicts. We are ready to put our skills to work for you. Contact Jebaily Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.
Leading Causes of Trucking Accidents in Florence
Some of the leading causes of truck accidents in Florence include:
- Speeding
- Dangerous road conditions
- Defective equipment and parts
- Fatigue
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Mechanical failures
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Loose, uneven, or overloaded cargo
- Unlicensed or improperly trained drivers
- Blind spots
- Texting, talking on the phone, and other types of distracted driving
Who’s Responsible for a Truck Crash?
Seeking compensation for injuries you’ve suffered in a collision with a commercial truck could be challenging. This is because multiple parties could share responsibility for the crash, depending on the circumstances.
These parties could include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Owners of the truck or cargo
- Other drivers on the road
- Companies that load the cargo
- Truck manufacturers
- Companies that maintain or repair the vehicle
- Government agencies if dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash
What Types of Trucks Are Often Involved in Serious Crashes?
While some of the most common commercial trucks involved in accidents are 18-wheelers, many different types of trucks on the road could pose a hazard to other drivers. Many of them are long, heavy, and contain cargo that could become hazardous to other drivers during a collision.
Some of the most common types of trucks involved in accidents in Florence include:
- Delivery vans
- Big rigs
- Box trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Fuel and tanker trucks
- Emergency vehicles
- Farm equipment
- Buses
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
This isn’t a comprehensive list of all commercial trucks. If you were in an accident with a large truck, you should discuss the circumstances of the accident with a lawyer to determine if you have a case you can pursue.
Commercial Trucking Regulations in Florence
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets and enforces regulations trucking companies and truck drivers must follow. These standards range from the number of hours a truck driver can drive during their shift to the maximum weight limits vehicles must meet.
Truckers holding a South Carolina commercial driver’s license must also abide by specific state laws associated with the trucking industry. This includes any commercial driver leaving or entering the state.
Federal and State Laws
- Individuals applying for a commercial driver’s license in South Carolina must be at least 18 years old.
- A driver cannot exceed 11 driving hours after spending 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Employers must perform random drug and alcohol testing on all truckers.
- Every vehicle in the fleet must be inspected, maintained, and repaired to ensure they are in good working condition.
- Trucking companies must purchase liability insurance to compensate for an injured party’s losses if a truck driver causes an accident.
- All cargo must be loaded and secured within maximum weight and size limits using securement devices that don’t contain defects.
- Drivers must keep logs to document the length of time they drive, take breaks, and sleep during their shifts.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Truck Crash in Florence?
If a truck driver, their employer, or another party is responsible for the accident that injured you, you have the right to pursue maximum compensation for the losses you suffered. These losses might include:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Property damage
It’s important to know that you have a limited amount of time to take legal action to pursue compensation. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years, according to South Carolina statute 15-3-530. This means you will most likely only have three years from the date of the accident to file suit in court to seek financial recovery.
Contact Our Florence Truck Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a truck accident in Florence, turn to Jebaily Law Firm for the qualified legal representation you need and deserve. There is a reason why so many people across South Carolina have trusted us to handle their injury cases. Contact us to find out why.
Our Florence truck accident lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your case during a free consultation. Don’t wait until it is too late to seek the justice and fair compensation that could help you rebuild your life after the crash. Contact us now.
