No driver or passenger ever expects to be injured in a truck accident. Truck accidents can have serious long-term consequences for all parties involved in the crash. Sadly, smaller passenger vehicles are no match for larger semi-trucks. Typically, crashes involving large trucks 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 truck accident injuries that leave them permanently disabled and unable to care for themselves or their families.
Trucking companies have a legal obligation to hire drivers who can maintain the safety of their commercial vehicles and operate reasonably on the roadway. However, a trucking 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 truck accident lawyers have extensive experience in handling truck accident cases and will help determine what legal options may be available.
Why Do Commercial Truck Accidents Happen in Columbia, South Carolina?
Sadly, commercial truck accidents are common in Columbia, South Carolina. Adverse weather conditions can often lead to jackknife accidents or trucking collisions. In other cases, poor vehicle maintenance on the part of trucking companies can also play a significant role in tractor trailer accidents. However, there are several other frequently cited causes of trucking accidents, including:
- Tire blowouts
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Overloaded tractor trailers
- Defective trucks
However, the one factor that is consistently cited above all others is that of truck driver error. Truck drivers are often pushed by their companies to deliver their loads early. Federal trucking regulations known as the Hours of Service (HOS) limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate a commercial vehicle in 24 hours. Nevertheless, all too often, trucking 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 truck crash may occur, contact our experienced truck accident attorney at the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, LLC, to learn more.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer to Handle My Personal Injury Claim?
You must obtain skilled legal representation immediately if you have been injured in a truck accident. Trucking 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 truck 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 truck accident attorneys include:
- A lawyer can evaluate the truck accident case and determine liability issues. Often, multiple parties may be held liable. For example, if the trucking company failed to check a driver’s background and training, and a truck manufacturer produced a defective product, both may be liable.
- A truck accident lawyer can gather evidence that will build and support the claim.
- A truck accident lawyer can determine all of the damages the truck accident victim may be entitled to receive.
- A truck 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 Truck Accident Claim?
If you have been injured in a Columbia truck 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. However, South Carolina allows injury victims to try and recover compensation in truck accident cases.
Our Columbia truck 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 truck 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 truck 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 truck accident attorneys who will review your truck accident case and determine what damages you may be entitled to recover.
What Makes Your Columbia Truck 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 truck accidents. We understand all too well the toll that large truck accidents take on the injured victim and their family.
Our Columbia truck accident lawyers represent clients needing help with truck accident claims. Our trucking 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 trucking accident case. However, as a Columbia truck 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 truck wreck, contact our Columbia truck accident attorney and ask to schedule a free no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable truck accident lawyer, who will explain your legal options.