In a collision between a semi-truck and a car, the tractor-trailer will dominate by sheer weight alone. When loaded with cargo, a truck can weigh 20x heavier than a passenger car. Even a light “tap” from a big rig can send the sturdiest SUVs into a spin. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety found that there were 3,187 collisions involving commercial motor vehicles in our state in 2022. Of that number, 80% of them involved serious injuries to car drivers and their passengers.
Anyone who gets involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler should contact an Aiken truck accident lawyer. Our team at The Solomon Law Group, LLC is here to help.
Even though it might seem obvious who is at fault in a truck accident, there are many parties that could be named in a potential lawsuit. It is essential to work with a legal team that understands trucking regulations and the type of damage those rigs can cause. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case now.
Common Causes of Trucking Collisions
When you retain the services of a truck accident attorney, they will build a case with the goal of securing a financial settlement for you. That work begins with understanding the root cause of the wreck. There could be several factors that led to the tractor-trailer crash. Consider the following:
Drowsy Driving
Every driver needs to be aware of the issue of driving while fatigued. It is a bigger issue for truckers because of the hours they work during a work shift. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hours of service regulations in place. Those regulations are strictly enforced, and drivers electronically log their driving and downtime hours.
Unfortunately, following the regulations does not always mean a truck driver will remain fully awake behind the wheel. Just a few seconds of dozing off can have disastrous results.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers are not immune to being distracted behind the wheel. They are susceptible to the same list of distractions as every other driver. Those distractions include the following:
- Cell phone usage
- Texting
- Watching videos
- Adjusting and monitoring GPS systems
- Eating or drinking
Drunk or Impaired Driving
Truck drivers need extensive training to be certified for a commercial driving license. Special training is required because of the size of trucks and driving restrictions that apply to them. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol puts all of that training at risk. According to FMCSA, 4,949 large trucks were involved in accidents where the drivers were legally intoxicated in a single year, per their most recent data.
Speeding
Making their cargo delivery times is on the mind of every truck driver. That time crunch can sometimes lead to speeding. When a trucker speeds, its braking time reduces, which increases the risk of a truck accident in Aiken.
Unbalanced Loads
The same trucking regulations that designate working hours also designate weight restrictions. Those regulations are checked at various weigh stations throughout the state. If a truck is found to be overweight, its driver could be forced to call for a second truck to offload some of the cargo.
That cargo also has to be properly packed. If it shifts during transportation, it can cause the truck to tilt or fall over.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Like a car, a truck has thousands of parts that need to be in proper working order to ensure it has a safe trip. Unlike cars, truck drivers must check brakes, tires, and other systems before every trip. A missed inspection can result in a tragic truck collision.
Whether you believe that one of the concerns above caused the tractor-trailer crash that injured you or something else did, an Aiken truck accident lawyer from our office is here to discuss what happened and explain what rights South Carolina law affords you. So, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case now.
Assigning Liability in Aiken Truck Accident Cases
When a car driver gets into a crash, it could be easy to assign liability to that single driver. With a trucking accident, several parties could be named in a lawsuit. Here is the list of possible defendants that could be named in a tractor-trailer crash case:
Truck Driver
A trucker is generally the first prospective defendant to consider adding to a truck crash lawsuit in Aiken County. All of the factors mentioned above will be considered as they relate to the truck driver’s actions and whether they were somehow negligent.
Trucking Company
A fleet company has an obligation to hire certified drivers and remove others with a history of infractions. Truck drivers also undergo regular wellness checks and recertifications. If a trucker does not maintain standards, their employer could be held liable for putting those drivers on the road.
Maintenance Company
A truck driver needs to inspect their rig, but they aren’t obligated to make repairs. If the truck is part of a fleet, a third-party mechanic will need to take care of the repairs. When an accident can be attributed to a maintenance issue, the mechanic could be held liable.
Cargo Loaders
If an unbalanced load contributed to the accident, the cargo-loading company could potentially be held responsible for any Aiken truck wreck that occurred.
How an Aiken Truck Accident Lawyer Proves a Case
When the Solomon Law Group, LLC takes on a truck accident case, we will devote all our resources to proving it. That work can include the following tasks:
- Reviewing the accident scene evidence, including the police report, photos, and videos
- Taking depositions from witnesses
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts
- Reviewing employment records from the trucking company
- Requesting a trucker’s employment records, including their driving log
Once we have compiled all the necessary evidence that we believe successfully proves your claim, we will present the documentation to the liable party’s insurance company. If that does not result in a satisfactory settlement, our legal team at The Solomon Law Group, LLC is fully prepared to take a case before a judge and jury.
When you work with an Aiken truck accident lawyer in our office, you can count on us to be by your side every step of the way, beginning with a free case evaluation. Call to set up that evaluation today.
