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Just like an 18-wheeler, a trucking case has many moving parts.  Rarely is there one error that we look and say, "There it is, there's the reason for the wreck."  The reason for this is that some trucking companies are out to make money.  They don't make money by paying drivers a big salary or by telling drivers to comply with the federal work hours.  They make money by having things delivered fast.

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Unfortunately, this thought process creates a company that poses a risk to the community as part of their cost of doing business.  Andrew has helped handle a number of tractor trailer cases, and below are some key topics that may help your navigation through the same.

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THE LAWS THAT PROTECT US FROM TRUCKING COMPANIES

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The best one-word explanation for tractor trailer laws is "verbose."  There are weight regulations, driver certification regulations, driver licensure requirements, recording requirements, log requirements, training requirements, and so on.  The list is long, the laws are detailed, and the purposes are important.

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The reason for these laws is two-fold: (1) these trucks normally travel all of the United States, and the federal government wants uniform laws to protect business and commuters; (2) the amount of damage a tractor trailer can cause is immense.

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A "fender bender" by an eighteen wheeler in Conway may total a family sedan.  A tap on the rear of a vehicle on I-95 in Orangeburg may cause significant brain damage to an innocent student traveling to S.C. State University.  So just imagine the damage a semi-truck can do going 70 miles-per-hour on I-85 in Greenville when the driver fails to see traffic slowing ahead.

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COMMON CAUSES OF BIG RIG WRECKS

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As stated above, most trucking cases involve at least two of the following main causes of big rig wrecks:

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• Company Faults

  • negligent hiring​

  • negligent supervision

  • negligent retention

  • failure to follow FMCSA and state laws

• Maintenance Faults​

  • improper brake changes​

  • faulty tire alignment

• Products Liability​​

  • brake pad errors

  • improper lighting

• Driver Faults​

  • speeding​

  • fatigue

  • distraction

  • following too closely

  • improper braking

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STEPS AFTER AN 18-WHEELER INJURY

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As we tell our clients: the best thing to do when you are injured is to seek the advice of a medical provider.  Most attorneys have a set of skills that can help you.  Few attorneys (if any) have the ability to treat you for your injuries.

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If possible, make sure to photograph the semi-truck's cab, trailer, wheels, plates, and driver certification/license.  Report the wreck and obtain the accident report.  Keep a journal of how your life has been negatively affected since day one.

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If you have further questions or wish to set up a free consultation, call or email Andrew today.  Preventing trucking wrecks is something we take pride in helping achieve.  Until all trucking wrecks are eliminated, Andrew is here to help innocent victims of eighteen-wheeler accidents achieve full justice by uncovering the problems that led to the driving errors.  The sooner we are contacted, the sooner we are able to notify the trucking company and driver that they are not to discard any evidence related to the case.  This is crucial, as it gives us the ability to fully develop the reasons for your injuries that resulted from the company's and driver's errors.

 

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