Mauldin Truck Accident Lawyer

Crashes and collisions on the highway can be extremely frightening and dangerous, but there is something especially harrowing about truck crashes. These are enormous vehicles, collisions tend to be severe, and numerous drivers are often badly hurt. If you were injured in a truck crash, an attorney can help you sue for compensation for your damages and injuries.

First, we must figure out what circumstances led to your accident. Speeding, driver fatigue, or poor driving conditions play significant roles. However, your case might differ entirely, and you should speak to an attorney immediately. When you are ready to begin your case, your lawyer can help you collect evidence of the crash, evaluate your damages, and draft a formal legal complaint against those you believe are responsible. Possible defenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the trucker who caused the crash, the truck company or business they work for, and possibly other drivers on the road. An investigation by the authorities after the crash may shed light on these details.

Contact our Greenville, SC truck accident attorneys for a free, confidential case evaluation by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.

Factors and Circumstances That Often Cause Truck Accidents Around Mauldin

Truck accidents might happen for many reasons, which might not be clear to us until after the authorities conduct a thorough investigation. In the meantime, our truck accident lawyers will consider a few common causes of truck accidents and where they occur. Two major highways run through Maudlin, and trucks frequent these roads almost daily. U.S. Route 276 and I-385 carry a higher risk of truck accidents for several reasons. Not only are trucks more common here, but issues like speeding, tired drivers, and bad road conditions are often a bigger problem.

Speed

Speed is one of the most significant factors in almost any truck accident case. Remember, trucks are enormous and heavy vehicles. If they are going too fast, truckers might be unable to stop in time to avert a crash. For example, the negligent trucker in your case might have been speeding, which prevented them from stopping to avoid a crash with a vehicle that cut in front of them. The trucker might swerve and crash into you and other drivers on the road. The faster a truck is moving when it crashes, the more disastrous the collision will likely be.

Driver Fatigue

Another major factor in lots of truck collisions is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often must drive for long hours, sometimes for days at a time. While truckers are required to take breaks and make time for rest and sleep, this is not always the case. Some drivers drive for as long as they can until they start to doze off at the wheel. Others cannot stop driving because their employer pressures them to complete trips as fast as possible. Either way, a tired driver is a dangerous driver. If the trucker dozes off while driving, the truck and trailer could crash into unsuspecting victims.

Poor Driving Conditions

We should also consider the driving conditions on the day the truck accident happened. Maybe it had just rained, and the roads were wet and slick. Maybe it was dark outside, and visibility was poor. While it can be challenging to drive under these conditions, every driver on the road must adjust their driving as needed. Truck drivers must exercise caution and drive defensively if conditions are less than ideal. All drivers have a legal obligation to drive with reasonable safety under the current conditions while obeying the traffic code. If the trucker fails to do this, they may be held liable for the crash.

How to Begin an Injury Case After a Truck Accident in Mauldin

Your first step toward starting your truck accident case is to contact an attorney. Your time is limited, and the statute of limitations under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) enforces a 3-year time limit on plaintiffs. This limitation period starts on the day the crash happens, and the clock does not stop counting down, barring special circumstances.

Once you have a lawyer on your side, you should start collecting evidence. Evidence can be tricky and not always obvious or readily available. If you took any pictures or videos of the accident scene right after the crash, review the pictures and videos with your lawyer. You might have captured important details we can use to support your case. We should also talk to witnesses, as their testimony may be extremely powerful evidence.

Next, we need to assess your damages. Your damages may be vast, and ensuring everything is accounted for is no small feat. We likely need time to fully evaluate your damages and determine what your compensation should be worth, so the sooner you meet with a lawyer, the better.

People Who Might Be Responsible for a Mauldin Truck Accident

Truck collisions are known for being large and involving numerous drivers and passengers. As such, it might be challenging to determine who is responsible for the crash and should be held liable. While truckers are often at the heart of these accidents, we should also consider the trucking companies involved and possibly others.

Truckers

Since truckers are the ones behind the wheel when an accident occurs, they should be examined closely for liability. Whether they fell asleep while driving, were speeding, or lost focus on the road, they might be responsible for the crash. Since many truck crashes are rather catastrophic, it might be unclear whether the trucker is to blame or if other factors caused the crash until after an investigation is completed.

Truck Businesses or Companies

If a truck driver is believed to be responsible for the crash, their employer might also be on the hook for your damages. Under the legal theory of respondeat superior, an employer may be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by a negligent employee if they acted within the regular scope of their job duties. This is often worth exploring with a lawyer, as larger trucking companies may be better able to cover your damages than an individual truck driver.

Contact Our Mauldin Truck Accident Lawyers Now

Contact our truck accident attorneys for a free, confidential case evaluation by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.