The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 159,000 people suffered an injury in commercial truck accidents in 2019 alone. You might be entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury in a truck accident caused by the trucker’s negligence. Learn about the most important things to know about truck accidents below. Then, contact the Richland County and Columbia, South Carolina truck accident lawyer at Littlejohn Law if you have questions.

More Than One Party Can Be at Fault

When a truck slams into your vehicle, it’s terrifying, and you can be seriously injured. One thing that makes truck accidents different from other crashes is that the case is usually more complicated. Your personal injury attorney can sue more than one person or entity for your accident.

For example, it is common for claims to be filed in truck accidents against the truck driver, the trucking company, and sometimes the truck owner. In addition, the truck maintenance company and cargo loader can be liable in other accidents. When one or more companies are responsible, you can receive more compensation for your injuries and losses.

Truck Accident Injuries Are Often Devastating

Tractor-trailers may weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. So, the injuries can be terrible when a truck slams into a 4,000-pound car. People who have been hit by a truck can have severe injuries, including:

• severe head trauma

• bone fractures

• internal injuries

• spinal cord injury

• severe cuts and lacerations

• burns

A skilled personal injury attorney fighting for your rights is essential after a truck accident. You may need months or even years to recover, requiring plenty of compensation for medical bills and lost earnings.

There Are State and Federal Laws for Truck Accidents

Crashes with passenger vehicles are usually more violent and severe, and trucks are big and challenging to drive, so multiple state and federal laws govern the commercial trucking industry. Some of the laws include those listed below. If the trucker or company violated these rules, they can be liable for your injuries:

• driving time limits

• more driver qualifications and training required

• required rest periods

• mandatory inspections and maintenance

• minimum equipment standards for driving trucks on public roads

These rules ensure public safety on the highways and roads where trucks operate. Your truck accident attorney in Allendale, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Hampton, South Carolina, is familiar with these laws and will hold the necessary parties accountable.

Trucking Insurance Companies Are Often Unfair

It’s common for trucking insurance companies to try to lowball injured drivers and passengers. So even when the trucker caused the accident, expect the insurance company to attempt to offer you as little as possible for your losses. That’s why it’s critical to have a South Carolina truck accident lawyer fighting for you every step of the way. Your attorney knows what your case is worth and can negotiate a fair settlement.

Contact a Columbia Truck Crash Attorney

Were you injured in a truck crash? Was the driver at fault? You should now speak to our South Carolina truck accident attorney at Littlejohn Law. We will hold the trucker and company accountable for their actions.