Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are also the most dangerous. If a truck driver is distracted or falling asleep behind the wheel, if the truck’s brakes fail, or if the truck’s cargo hasn’t been properly secured, these are all issues that can have life-altering—if not life-threatening—consequences.
When these kinds of issues lead to truck accidents, victims and their families have clear legal rights—and, in this scenario, there are many ways an experienced lawyer can help. Keep reading to learn about more common causes of truck accidents in South Carolina and how a lawyer can help you seek the financial compensation you and your family deserve.
7 of the Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
While numerous issues can lead to serious and fatal accidents involving commercial trucks, certain issues are particularly common. For example, some of the most common causes of truck accidents in South Carolina include:
1. Inadequate Training or Experience
Safely driving an 18-wheeler or other large commercial truck requires lots of training and experience. Unfortunately, far too often, companies hire truck drivers who are not adequately equipped to avoid creating dangerous situations on the road.
2. Negligent Truck Driving
Even experienced truck drivers can (and do) make mistakes. Negligence behind the wheel of a commercial truck can be extremely dangerous. Some of the most common forms of truck driver negligence that lead to accidents include:
- Waiting too long to brake
- Braking too harshly
- Turning too sharply
- Merging or turning without checking blind spots
- Driving too fast for the current road or traffic conditions
3. Reckless or Aggressive Truck Driving
Along with negligent truck driving, reckless and aggressive truck driving can be extremely dangerous as well. For example, we routinely see cases involving serious and fatal truck accidents that are the result of things like:
- Changing lanes into other vehicles
- Passing illegally
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Speeding excessively
- Tailgating
4. Alcohol, Drug, or Phone Use
It goes without saying that driving a large truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have devastating consequences. But, talking on the phone, texting, or using social media behind the wheel can be equally dangerous. Distracted driving is a leading cause of truck accidents in South Carolina and nationwide.
5. Inadequate Truck Maintenance
Large commercial trucks need regular maintenance to remain safe for the road. Along with truck drivers’ mistakes behind the wheel, inadequate truck maintenance is a common cause of truck accidents in South Carolina and nationwide as well.
6. Truck Defects from the Factory
While some safety issues result from inadequate maintenance, others result from defects that exist when a truck leaves the factory. Defective brakes, accelerators, electronics, engines, and transmission systems all can (and do) lead to substantial accident-related losses.
7. Prioritizing Profits Over Safety
From hiring inexperienced drivers to ignoring maintenance needs, many companies make the extremely poor decision of prioritizing their profits over public safety. When companies put their own financial interests first, they can—and should—be held accountable.
How a Lawyer Can Help
If you are facing the consequences of any of these—or any other—common causes of truck accidents, you will want to talk to a lawyer about your legal rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation; and, if you are, here are just some of the ways a lawyer can help:
- Determining the Specific Cause of Your (or Your Loved One’s) Truck Accident – While there are many potential causes of truck accidents, determining the specific cause of your (or your loved one’s) truck accident is the first step toward establishing accountability.
- Determining What Company Deserves to Be Legally Responsible – Once your lawyer determines why the accident happened, then your lawyer will be able to determine what company deserves to be held legally responsible.
- Calculating and Seeking Just Compensation on Your Behalf – Asserting your legal rights also involves determining how much you are entitled to recover. After calculating just compensation for your financial and non-financial losses, your lawyer can then focus on recovering the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation About Your Legal Rights
If you need to know more about how a lawyer can help after a serious or fatal truck accident in South Carolina, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with South Carolina truck accident lawyer Luke Paulick, please call 843-379-3285 or tell us how we can contact you online today.