If your accident was the fault of the truck driver, trucking company, or another responsible party, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation.
The causes of truck accidents are not always easy to determine. Federal and state regulations are intended to limit the size of commercial trucks and also ensure that drivers and vehicles are at peak performance. Many commercial truck crashes stem from violations of these regulations. Others are caused by driver error, employer negligence, or the negligence of other parties.
If you suffered catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a tractor-trailer accident in Columbia, get legal help as soon as possible. Our experienced Columbia accident law firm is prepared to assist you throughout your recovery, both in investigating the true cause of the accident, determining who was at fault, and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Columbia
Truck accidents can be caused by numerous factors, making a thorough investigation immediately following a crash especially important. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver Negligence. Either driver may have contributed to the accident via an act of negligence, such as speeding, driving while distracted, driving under the influence, or driving aggressively.
- Driver Fatigue or Impairment. Truck drivers often have tight deadlines, and sometimes they choose to miss sleep to meet deadlines. Unfortunately, sometimes truck drivers also choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Driving while fatigued or impaired reduces reaction time and decreases the driver’s ability to make proper decisions while operating their truck.
- No Zones. Tractor-trailers, often referred to as 18-wheelers or semi-trucks, have blind spots on all sides of the vehicle. Most people are aware of the blind spots on the sides, but there are also blind spots in the front and in the back. These blind spots are called “No Zones” and can include one or more entire lanes of traffic.
- Loading Error. When cargo is not properly loaded or secured, it can shift while in transit. A cargo shift can be devastating, causing a trailer to shift or tip.
- Trucking Company Negligence. Trucking companies are tasked with conducting thorough background checks on drivers, inspecting & maintaining trucks, holding drivers to hours of service requirements, ensuring drivers are properly trained, and more. The failure to do any of the above (or perform another duty) could lead to a crash.
- Vehicle defect. When a vehicle is defective, the risk of an accident is high. Tire blowouts, defective brakes, and other improperly functioning vehicle parts may cause a crash.
Columbia truck accident lawyer, Marc Brown, will work hard to determine the precise cause of your crash and then bring a lawsuit against the appropriate parties.
Understanding the Severity of Truck Accident Injuries in Columbia
The trucking industry is an essential component of the nation’s supply chain, bringing goods and services into and out of South Carolina. Unfortunately, the unavoidable reliance on large commercial freight carriers means cars weighing an average of 4,000 pounds share the roadways with immense trucks, which may weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), around 70% of truck accident injuries and fatalities happen to motorists in smaller vehicles, not to the driver of the involved truck.
Common injuries in truck accident claims include the following:
- Single and multiple fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- External head, dental, and facial injuries
- Chest and thoracic injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries (sprains, tendon injuries, and torn ligaments) to the shoulders, knees, wrists, ankles, and other parts
- Traumatic amputations
- Burns
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
Because trucks sometimes carry fuel and toxic chemicals, truck accident victims sometimes suffer ill effects from chemical exposures. Explosions are also more commonly associated with truck accidents compared to other vehicle collisions.
Even when a truck accident victim in Columbia is fortunate enough to escape with relatively minor injuries, a single emergency room bill and a few days of lost pay can quickly add up. If an injured motorist was not at fault for the accident, they should not have to absorb the financial costs. More often, truck accidents result in serious or even catastrophic injuries, leaving the injury victim with a long road to recovery or permanent disability.
Regardless of the severity of the injuries, an injury victim with damages from a truck accident has the right to full and fair compensation if the accident was preventable and caused by negligence by the driver, trucking company, or any other entity.
Damages You Can Seek After a Columbia Truck Accident
In a truck accident claim, multiple parties can often be sued for compensation, including the truck driver, the trucking company owner, the truck manufacturer, and even the government if hazardous road conditions were a cause of the accident. The types of damages you may be able to recover include:
- Property Damage
- Medical Expenses, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation costs
- Physical Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Future Earning Potential
- Lost Quality of Life
- Punitive Damages
Whether you totaled your vehicle or suffered a brain injury, our Columbia truck accident attorneys work hard to determine the precise cause of your crash and then bring a lawsuit against the appropriate parties.
Steps to Take After a Columbia Truck Accident
Following a crash, you should seek medical treatment. When seeking medical treatment, you should provide the physician with as much information as you can about the accident and your symptoms so they can make the most thorough assessment possible. You must follow all of your physician’s orders.
We also strongly advise that you file and request a copy of a police report, ensure all evidence relevant to your case is preserved, and talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The statute of limitations on your truck accident claim is three years. As soon as you experience a collision, the clock is ticking on your right to bring forth a claim.
It is also important to remember that you do not have to provide a written or recorded statement to the truck driver’s insurance company. Also, it is not in your best interest to provide a medical records authorization to the truck driver’s insurance company. Often, insurance companies will try to use this information to increase your degree of fault and minimize your degree of injury.
How Long do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim In Columbia?
All states set a time limit on the amount of time an injury victim has to file a compensation claim after an accident. This helps ensure that evidence remains available and eyewitness testimony is reliable during the claim process or if the case requires a court. In South Carolina, truck accident victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If the case goes to trial, the injury victim must file the lawsuit petition within the three-year statute of limitations. The statute of limitations also protects the defendants from living under the indefinite threat of a lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Injuries?
The trucking industry involves many moving parts, from vehicle maintenance and cargo loading to driver training and oversight. When any party fails to follow FMCSA regulations or neglects reasonable safety measures, the consequences can be severe for others on the road.
In truck accident cases involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles, the truck driver and the trucking company are most often responsible. However, liability is not always limited to these parties. In some situations, other individuals or organizations may have caused or contributed to the crash, including:
- Another motorist
- A truck or vehicle parts manufacturer
- A government agency responsible for road design or maintenance
- The cargo owner
- A cargo loading company
- A shipping or logistics company
- A vehicle maintenance or repair provider
An experienced truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible. This may include accident reconstruction, reviewing driver logs and maintenance records, and analyzing data from the truck’s electronic control module (black box) to identify all liable parties.
How a Columbia Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Attorney Marc Brown is a knowledgeable truck accident, car accident, and motorcycle accident lawyer in Columbia. When you call our firm, we will start working on your case immediately. We aid you by investigating your case, determining and proving fault, calculating your damages, dedicating time and resources to your case, negotiating your settlement, and bringing your case to litigation if necessary.
In cases of wrongful death resulting from truck accidents, we provide compassionate and comprehensive legal support. We understand the profound impact such a loss has on families, and we are committed to seeking justice for your wrongful death claim in Columbia. Our firm works diligently to prove liability, calculate the full extent of your damages, including loss of companionship and future earnings, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Reach Out to A Columbia, SC Truck Accident Attorney
Our firm works diligently to prove liability, calculate the full extent of your damages, including loss of companionship and future earnings, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We are pleased to offer free, no-obligation consultations. Contact us today to request a free consultation to discuss your case. Furthermore, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win.