No driver or passenger ever expects to be injured in a tractor trailer accident. Tractor trailer accidents can have serious long-term consequences for all parties involved in the crash. Sadly, smaller passenger vehicles are no match for larger semi-tractor trailers. Typically, crashes involving large tractor trailers can leave accident victims with severe injuries that can take weeks, months, or even years to heal properly.
In other instances, accident victims may suffer catastrophic tractor trailer accident injuries that leave them permanently disabled and unable to care for themselves or their families.
Tractor trailer companies have a legal obligation to hire drivers who can maintain the safety of their commercial vehicles and operate reasonably on the roadway. A tractor trailering company often hires a driver because they need to move freight without thoroughly checking the driver’s background.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, immediately contact The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, LLC. Our Columbia tractor trailer accident lawyers have extensive experience in handling tractor trailer accident cases and will help determine what legal options may be available.
Why Do Commercial Tractor Trailer Accidents Happen in Columbia, South Carolina?
Sadly, commercial tractor trailer accidents are common in Columbia, South Carolina. Adverse weather conditions can often lead to jackknife accidents or tractor trailering collisions. In other cases, poor vehicle maintenance on the part of tractor trailering companies can also play a significant role in tractor trailer accidents. There are several other frequently cited causes of tractor trailering accidents, including:
- Tire blowouts
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Overloaded tractor trailers
- Defective tractor trailers
The one factor that is consistently cited above all others is that of tractor trailer driver error. Tractor trailer drivers are often pushed by their companies to deliver their loads early. Federal tractor trailering regulations known as the Hours of Service (HOS) limit the number of hours a tractor trailer driver can operate a commercial vehicle in 24 hours. Nevertheless, all too often, tractor trailering companies encourage sleepy drivers to exceed their HOS to make a delivery on time.
Other driver-related factors include:
- Driving while impaired
- Speeding
- Distracted driving, including talking or texting on their cell phone or looking at their GPS.
If you want more information regarding why a tractor trailer crash may occur, contact our experienced tractor trailer accident attorney at the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, LLC, to learn more.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Columbia Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer to Handle My Personal Injury Claim?
You must obtain skilled legal representation immediately if you have been injured in a tractor trailer accident. Tractor trailer companies face hundreds of personal injury claims and lawsuits every year. As a result, their insurance providers have well-trained lawyers who look for ways to deny or try to pay less than a claim is worth.
Nevertheless, an experienced tractor trailer accident lawyer understands how insurance companies operate and can fight to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Some of the other reasons why injury victims should always hire tractor trailer accident attorneys include:
- A lawyer can evaluate the tractor trailer accident case and determine liability issues. Often, multiple parties may be held liable. For example, if the tractor trailering company failed to check a driver’s background and training, and a tractor trailer manufacturer produced a defective product, both may be liable.
- A tractor trailer accident lawyer can gather evidence that will build and support the claim.
- A tractor trailer accident lawyer can determine all of the damages the tractor trailer accident victim may be entitled to receive.
- A tractor trailer accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to reach a financial settlement that will provide for the injured victim’s needs.
What Type of Financial Compensation Can I Recover in a Tractor Trailer Accident Claim?
If you have been injured in a Columbia tractor trailer accident, you are most likely concerned with how you will pay your medical bills and recover money you have lost due to your inability to work. South Carolina allows injury victims to try and recover compensation in tractor trailer accident cases.
Our Columbia tractor trailer accident lawyer can assist you with trying to recover economic and non-economic damages to compensate you for financial and intangible losses due to injury.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate tractor trailer accident victims for losses that do not have a financial value attached to them and may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Punitive Damages
South Carolina law also allows tractor trailer accident victims to try and recover punitive damages if the circumstances meet specific eligibility requirements. A plaintiff must present clear and convincing evidence that the liable party is guilty of acting with reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of others.
Unlike economic or non-economic damages, punitive damages are awarded to punish the wrongdoer and warn others not to repeat similar behavior.
The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, LLC has skilled tractor trailer accident attorneys who will review your tractor trailer accident case and determine what damages you may be entitled to recover.
What Makes Your Columbia Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys the Right Choice For My Legal Needs?
The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, LLC is passionate about its mission to obtain justice for individuals who have sustained catastrophic injuries from tractor trailer accidents. We understand all too well the toll that large tractor trailer accidents take on the injured victim and their family.
Our Columbia tractor trailer accident lawyers represent clients needing help with tractor trailer accident claims. Our tractor trailering accident attorneys have in-depth experience handling commercial vehicle accidents and obtaining favorable client results.
Our legal team recognizes that you will have a long physical and emotional recovery after suffering injuries in a tractor trailering accident case. As a Columbia tractor trailer accident attorney we are here to help you obtain justice and fair compensation and gain the peace of mind you deserve.
If you have been involved in a tractor trailer wreck, contact our Columbia tractor trailer accident attorney and ask to schedule a free no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable tractor trailer accident lawyer, who will explain your legal options.
