Charleston Truck Accident Attorneys

Hundreds of thousands of truck accidents occur each year, the majority of which are completely avoidable. Many road users do not realize the safety concerns that a tractor-trailer truck presents.

While a large SUV may weigh 6,000 pounds, a fully laden truck can top the scale at 80,000 pounds. With such a substantial size difference between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, a collision is bound to result in devastating consequences.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, our Charleston truck accident attorneys are here to help with just a click or a call.

Large trucks pose safety concerns that are not an issue in smaller vehicles:

Trucks are often 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles.
Trucks accelerate more slowly uphill and gain more speed going downhill.
With a higher center of gravity, taller vehicles must go more slowly on curves and ramps due to a higher risk of rolling over.
Large trucks can create wind gusts that push smaller vehicles into adjacent lanes.
Smaller vehicles risk being pushed or pulled under a commercial truck with high ground clearance.

Types of Truck Accidents

Rollover accidents: Taller vehicles have a higher center of gravity, making them susceptible to rolling on their side when navigating ramps and tight curves.
Rear-end collisions: Considering the weight of a fully loaded semi-truck can be 80,000 pounds, commercial trucks have less control when moving downhill, making them susceptible to hitting other vehicles on the road.
Jackknifing: An accident where the truck’s cab and trailer fold in on themselves, having the vehicle form a “V.” This type of accident can occur if the truck driver stops abruptly or is traveling too fast around a curve.
Tire blowout: The heavy loads carried by commercial trucks over long distances can cause tires to blow out, especially if the truck has to stop suddenly. This can cause the driver to lose control and collide with other vehicles.
T-Bone Accidents: A truck driver may fail to yield the right-of-way to another driver, resulting in the truck striking the vehicle’s side.

Role of a Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer

No matter your injuries, a truck accident lawyer will help you recover the most compensation possible through the following:

Collecting Evidence

A truck accident lawyer may collect video footage, photographs of the accident scene, and even data from a truck’s electronic logging device (ELD). An ELD will record how many hours the engine was running and driving time, which can be critical information in a truck accident.

Obtaining Medical Records

A large component of a truck accident claim is obtaining medical records. Medical records will document the extent and severity of your injuries. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know which doctor’s notes and medical imaging are pertinent to your case.

Preparing a Demand Package

A truck accident lawyer will assist in preparing a demand package to submit to the insurance company. This will detail the facts of your case, your medical treatment, and the truck driver’s negligence, along with making a demand and offering consequences in the event that the insurance company fails to respond.

Contact a Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been in a truck accident, you need an attorney experienced in handling ‘big rig’ cases. Our Charleston truck accident attorneys have over 40 years of experience assisting victims of truck accidents and are ready to lend you a helping hand.

Truck Accidents