Truck Accident Lawyer Greenville

When a truck accident changes your life, it can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate the legal complexities alone. At Langley Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping victims in Greenville recover the compensation they deserve after a truck accident. Our truck accident lawyers are here to guide you every step of the way. We understand the serious impact such accidents can have, and we’re ready to fight for your rights. Reach out to us today for a free consultation at (864) 667-6144, and let us help you take the first step toward justice.

Understanding How Trucking Company Negligence Affects Your Injury Claim

When a large commercial truck is involved in an accident, the consequences can be devastating. Due to their size and weight, trucks often cause serious injuries or fatalities in crashes. But what happens when the accident occurs because of negligence by the trucking company? In Greenville, if you’ve been injured in a truck accident caused by a trucking company’s failure to follow safety regulations, it’s important to understand how this impacts your injury claim.

What is Trucking Company Negligence?

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles, drivers, and operations comply with state and federal regulations. These rules exist to minimize the risks of accidents and to ensure that trucks are properly maintained, driven safely, and operated within legal limits. When a trucking company fails to meet these obligations, it may be considered negligent.

Negligence can be found in several aspects of the trucking company’s operations. It’s not just about the truck driver’s actions; the company itself can be held responsible for factors like driver training, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service violations. Below are some common areas where trucking companies can be negligent.

Poor Maintenance and Inspection Practices

Trucking companies are required to ensure their vehicles are regularly inspected and properly maintained. If a truck’s brakes fail, tires blow out, or other mechanical failures lead to an accident, the trucking company may be held liable if they did not conduct routine maintenance or address known issues. This can include a failure to repair or replace worn-out parts, improper tire maintenance, or ignoring reports from drivers about vehicle problems.

For example, if a trucking company receives a report about faulty brakes and fails to fix the issue before allowing the truck to go back on the road, they can be held responsible for any accidents caused by that failure.

Hours of Service Violations

Federal regulations dictate the number of hours a truck driver can drive within a given period. These rules are designed to prevent fatigued driving, which is a major cause of truck accidents. If a trucking company pressures its drivers to work beyond the legal limits or fails to monitor their drivers’ hours of service, they may be liable for accidents caused by driver fatigue.

If you were involved in a truck accident and the driver had exceeded their hours of service, this could be a critical factor in your injury claim. It’s crucial to work with a lawyer who can obtain the driver’s logs and other records to determine whether fatigue played a role in the crash.

Inadequate Driver Training

Truck drivers must undergo specific training and certification to operate commercial vehicles safely. If a trucking company hires an unqualified or poorly trained driver, they may be liable for any accidents that occur. Inadequate training can include failing to educate drivers on how to handle hazardous weather conditions, improperly securing cargo, or not teaching safe driving practices like defensive driving techniques.

Additionally, trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers remain up-to-date on their certifications and safety practices. A company that ignores this duty may be found negligent if the driver causes an accident due to lack of proper training.

Cargo Overloading and Improper Loading

One of the critical responsibilities of a trucking company is to ensure that the cargo is properly loaded and secured. If a truck is overloaded or if the cargo is not properly secured, it can lead to dangerous driving conditions. Overloaded trucks can be harder to control, especially when it comes to braking or turning, and improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

If an accident happens due to overloading or cargo shifting, the trucking company could be held liable for the damages. This is another area where evidence, such as truck logs or shipping records, can play a significant role in proving negligence.

Lack of Driver Supervision

While individual truck drivers are often independent contractors, trucking companies still have a responsibility to supervise their drivers. This includes monitoring their performance, checking for compliance with safety regulations, and ensuring that drivers are fit to drive. A trucking company that neglects to monitor its drivers properly or fails to address red flags, such as speeding tickets or previous accidents, can be held accountable if the driver causes an accident.

How Trucking Company Negligence Affects Your Injury Claim

When trucking company negligence is involved in your injury claim, it opens the door for additional liability. You may be able to hold both the driver and the trucking company responsible for your injuries, which can increase the potential value of your claim. In many cases, trucking companies carry substantial insurance policies, which means there may be more compensation available to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

However, pursuing a claim against a trucking company is not straightforward. These companies often have large legal teams that are skilled at defending their interests. They may try to minimize their liability or shift blame to the driver, the weather, or other factors. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side can help you navigate the complexities of these cases.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident caused by a trucking company’s negligence, there are steps you should take to protect your claim.

1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health should be your top priority. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, it’s important to get checked by a doctor. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.

2. Report the Accident: Contact the police and file an accident report. This is important for documenting the crash and for any legal claims you may pursue.

3. Gather Evidence: If possible, take photos of the scene, the damage to the truck, and your injuries. If you can, collect the truck driver’s details, including their logbooks, which can show whether they were in compliance with hours of service regulations.

4. Contact a Lawyer: Trucking companies often have significant resources, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help level the playing field. A lawyer can investigate the accident, gather necessary evidence, and handle the legal aspects of your claim.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Let Us Be Your Advocates

At Langley Law Firm, we’re committed to getting you the compensation and justice you deserve after a truck accident. We understand how life-altering these incidents can be, and our team of truck accident lawyers is here to handle the complexities of your case while you focus on healing. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact us today for a free consultation at (864) 667-6144, and let us put our expertise to work for you.