Trucking Accidents

Talk to a South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney

Our Columbia injury lawyers are experienced in investigation of tractor trailer crashes and representing families harmed by negligent operation of trucks and other commercial vehicles. Once we are retained, our attorneys immediately take action to investigate such claims utilizing the assistance of a team of accident reconstruction and trucking safety professionals.

The laws applicable to the trucking industry make the investigation and handling of trucking crash cases much different than normal automobile accident claims. Whether you call them a semi truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, or big rig, we can all agree that commercial trucks are very dangerous when not operated lawfully.

Federal Trucking Regulations Important in Truck Accident Litigation

It is important to immediately gather evidence that might prove a violation...

There are a number of federal trucking regulations that govern truck drivers and trucking companies. It is important to immediately gather evidence that might prove a violation of one or more these regulations. Among the applicable regulations are:

Restrictions regarding how many hours a driver may drive in a given period of time. 49 C.F.R. § 395.3

Record keeping requirements regarding driver’s compliance with mandatory rest periods. 49 C.F.R § 395.8

Requirements to systematically inspect, repair and maintain the truck. 49 C.F.R. § 396.3

Reports that must be prepared listing defects and deficiencies on the truck which would affect its safety of operation. 49 C.F.R. § 396.11

Drives may not drive the truck without first making a pre-trip inspection confirming that the truck was in safe operating condition. 49 C.F.R. § 396.13

Prohibition on driving a commercial motor vehicle without properly distributing and adequately securing its cargo. 49 C.F.R. §§ 392.9 and 393.100.

Driver health, training, and driver qualification requirements. 49 C.F.R. § 391.11 and 49 C.F.R. § 391.41.

Operating a motor vehicle with a tire that is unsafe, damaged, overloaded and/or under-inflated in violation of 49 C.F.R. § 393.75

The maximum gross vehicle weight for vehicles using interstate highways is limited to 80,000 pounds. 23 C.F.R. § 658.17

Many trucking companies make use of an automatic on-board recording device to comply with driver duty record keeping requirements. These “black boxes” record engine use, road speed, miles driven, the date, and time of day. Obtaining data from these devices immediately following an accident can be critical to a successful outcome.

Cause of Semi Truck Accidents

A number of factors may contribute to a truck accident. In some situations, a trucker may carelessly take a wide turn at an intersection without ensuring there are no nearby vehicles. Other truck accident factors include the following:

Driver errors
Driver fatigue
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Faulty parts
Poor vehicle maintenance
Improper load

Why Proffitt & Cox

We understand and care that when an injury occurs people are concerned about medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for their pain and suffering and other damages. We can put our experience to work immediately toward helping victims of careless or wrongful conduct obtain prompt and appropriate compensation.

Free initial consultations for all injury cases
Over 50 years total experience
We handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis.
Over $30 million recovered for our clients

We are Truck Accident Attorneys in South Carolina

At Proffitt & Cox, LLP, our attorneys represent truck accident victims following an accident anywhere in South Carolina. Our firm operates on a contingency fee arrangement for personal injury cases, meaning that if we fail to secure you compensation, you do not owe us any attorney fees for our services. Contact our South Carolina injury attorneys today by calling us locally at 803-834-7097 or toll free at (877) 276-0533 for a free consultation regarding a truck accident lawsuit.

Truck Accident Liability

Assisting Victims of Big Rig Accidents

Tractor-trailer accidents are among the most dangerous collisions that occur on our roadways. When owners and drivers of commercial trucks do not conform to required standards, the consequences can be deadly. Truck accident liability may seem difficult to determine, but our Columbia injury attorneys know how to pursue compensation effectively from those responsible.

Who is Liable after a Truck Accident?

...cases may involve a number of defendants that may try to blame each other...

One of the most difficult aspects of semi truck accident litigation is determining who is responsible. Truck accident cases may involve a number of defendants that may try to blame each other or even the truck accident victims. Defendants may include:

Truck Driver :

Driver errors are a common cause of truck accidents. Trucking companies may push their drivers too far with strict shipping deadlines. This amount of work may contribute to stress, fatigue and inattentiveness that can lead to accidents. In many cases, the trucking company is liable for driver errors. However, if the driver was on a personal errand unrelated to the job, the truck driver is likely responsible.

Trucking Company that Employs the Driver :

Trucking companies must employ competent drivers and follow all federal regulations to limit the risk of accidents. If truck drivers cause accidents while on duty, if the company fails to follow regulations, or does not provide the proper training for the driver, the trucking company may be liable.

Truck or Trailer’s Owner:

The individual or company leasing the equipment must properly maintain its fleet of trucks and trailers to prevent crashes.

Manufacturer of the Vehicle, Engine Parts, Tires or Other Parts:

If a manufacturer supplies a truck owner with faulty parts that contribute to a collision, the manufacturer may be responsible.

Shipper of the Goods in the Truck:

If the shipper places excess or uneven weight in the truck or otherwise fails to load the trailer correctly, this may cause an accident.

The number of defendants can make a truck accident case complex. For example, if the trucking company claims brake failure caused the accident, the brake company may blame the truck owner for not maintaining the brakes, which could have caused them to fail.

Find a South Carolina Injury Attorney for Truck Accident Victims

Semi trucks can cause severe injuries and fatal accidents. These enormous vehicles leave victims with costly medical bills. If you suffered injuries from an accident with a negligent 18 wheeler or other commercial truck, you are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages as well as pain and suffering.

Our Columbia injury lawyers will work hard to secure compensation from those liable for your accident. Contact Proffitt & Cox, LLP today by calling our local South Carolina phone number at 803-834-7097 or toll free at (877) 276-0533 for a free consultation. You can also fill out and submit the contact form located on our site.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Relevant Truck Accident Information

Truck accidents are devastating and can leave you with severe injuries that may affect you permanently. Experiencing a truck or big rig accident can also be traumatizing, with many individuals and families not knowing where to turn to for help. Your legal rights and ability to gain compensation may be the last thing on your mind.

However, following a semi truck accident, attorneys and investigators for the trucking company often appear quickly on the scene to minimize the company’s liability and limit your right to compensation. The Columbia injury attorneys at Proffitt & Cox, LLP want you to know what to do after a semi accident to improve your opportunity to receive compensation after suffering serious injuries in a truck accident caused by negligence.

What do I do After a Truck Accident?

Many injuries may not be obvious right after an accident but can worsen and cause serious pain over time...

Following a collision with a big rig or another type of commercial truck, it is beneficial to take the following measures to protect your health as well as your right to gain recovery:

Seek medical attention. Determine if you or any passengers suffered any injuries and, if possible, arrange for emergency medical services immediately. Many injuries may not be obvious right after an accident but can worsen and cause serious pain over time, which is why you must allow a medical professional to examine and treat any injuries as soon as possible.

Only state facts, and do not blame yourself for the accident. Answer any police questions completely and honestly, but do not speculate. Do not speak to the truck driver any more than is necessary. Do no apologize for the accident, even if you believe you may be at fault. Clear your head and allow the investigators to determine the cause of the collision. Remember, the trucking company will seek to use any admission of guilt against you in the court of law.

Take pictures of the damage, if possible. You can use your cell phone or any other camera to capture images of your vehicle, the truck, any skid marks and anything else affected by the collision.

Gather information, if possible. Get the name, license number, and insurance information of the truck driver, and record the license plates of all the vehicles involved in the crash. Get the contact information of witnesses if possible.

Do not immediately send your car to the repair shop. You may want to forget about the accident as soon as possible and return to your routine, but the damage sustained by your car may reveal important evidence needed to support your case.

Contact our South Carolina injury lawyers. Proffitt & Cox, LLP can preserve important evidence and help build your case. After a truck accident, the trucking company and its insurance carrier will be on the scene almost immediately. They will attempt to gain control of the evidence. Without your own attorney demanding all evidence be preserved, crucial information may be lost. Do not hesitate to contact a qualified attorney immediately after a truck accident.

What to Do after Suffering a Truck Accident Injury

Gaining the right legal support is crucial for any trucking accident case. Our Columbia injury lawyers know how to hold the negligent parties liable for truck crashes caused by negligence, and use their legal knowledge to secure compensation for victims. If you suffered an injury from a big rig accident, contact our injury law firm today by phone at 8038347097 for a free consultation. Truck accident victims and their families can also call the firm toll free at (877) 834-7097, or reach out to us online through our contact form.

Confidential Free Consultations; No Attorneys Fees Unless You Receive Compensation

We understand that when an injury occurs, people are concerned about medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for their pain and suffering and other damages. We can answer these questions, and more importantly, we can put our experience to work immediately toward helping victims of careless or wrongful conduct obtain prompt and appropriate compensation.

We offer free initial consultations for all injury cases. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis which means that our fees are a percentage of what we recover for you. You will not owe us any attorney’s fees in such cases unless we are successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf.

Our South Carolina accident attorneys have recovered over $30 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. These claims involved automobile accidents, trucking accidents, harmful prescription drugs, medical malpractice, product liability, slip and fall accidents and class action cases. Review our representative cases to see some of our past successes and review our client testimonials to see what some of our clients have to say about us.