Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer
Motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks are far more complicated to sort out than those involving just smaller passenger vehicles. Not only does the size and weight of an 18-wheeler make it far more dangerous when it comes to a crash, but the complex nature of commercial truck ownership often creates additional roadblocks to victims seeking compensation for their losses.
This is where an experienced Charleston truck accident lawyer can help. The Stanley Law Group has more than 60 years of combined experience representing victims of commercial trucking accidents throughout South Carolina. We know the law in this area and we know how to deal with truck owners, operators, and insurers when it comes to fighting for our clients’ best interests. Our only goal is ensuring you receive full and fair compensation under the law.
Determining Legal Liability for a South Carolina Commercial Trucking Accident
Commercial truck accidents are often the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver. Some of the more common factors that we have found in truck accidents in and around Charleston include:
- Fatigue: All interstate commercial truck drivers must follow strict “hours of service” regulations enforced by the federal government. These rules are expressly designed to ensure drivers receive enough rest. When drivers ignore the regulations, that often leads to fatigued driving and ultimately a catastrophic truck accident.
- Impairment: It is against South Carolina for anyone to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is especially important for truck operators, who have to control much larger and heavier vehicles than most drivers. In fact, South Carolina law holds commercial drivers to much stricter blood-alcohol content standards than regular motorists for just this reason.
- Reckless Driving: Commercial truck drivers are often under heavy pressure from their employers and customers to maintain tight delivery schedules. This often encourages reckless and irresponsible driving practices, such as speeding or aggressive passing, which in turn makes a serious accident more likely to occur.
- Cargo: A tractor-trailer is more than just the vehicle. It is also the cargo. If that cargo is not properly loaded or handled, it can come loose during transports and potentially cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle–or the cargo itself may exit the vehicle and effectively become a projectile targeting everyone else on the highway.
Depending on the specific facts and circumstances, there may be multiple individuals and business entities who can be held legally responsible for a commercial trucking accident. This includes not just the truck’s driver, but also the vehicle’s owner, the people responsible for loading and securing the truck’s cargo, and even the companies that manufactured the truck or one of its component parts.
Our Charleston Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Today
When a truck accident results in personal injury or death, the victims and their families can seek compensation for the out-of-pocket and other losses. This includes an award of damages to cover medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our Charleston truck accident lawyers are happy to sit down with you, review your case, and advise you on the best way for seeking full compensation. Call the Stanley Law Group at 803-799-4700 or contact us online today to request a free consultation.
