Representing Innocent Victims of Delivery Truck Accidents in greater Charleston, South Carolina
Delivery trucks are a type of commercial vehicle that frequent the roads of the Charleston, South Carolina area. When delivery trucks are involved in motor vehicle accidents, they can bring about serious injuries and damages—especially when they collide with a smaller motor vehicle.
When a delivery truck causes an accident, one or more individuals or entities may be to blame. The most obvious defendant in a truck accident case is the truck driver. However, the vehicle owner, including a corporation, could also be on the line for negligence. Similarly, a repair facility or parts manufacturer could be deemed negligent or strictly liable.
If you have sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident involving a delivery truck, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation for your injuries and financial costs. The personal injury auto accident lawyers at The Hughey Law Firm can meet with you to discuss how your accident occurred, as well as your injuries and medical treatment to date. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers can let you know if you have a worthwhile case and may be able to represent your legal interests during settlement negotiations or in court.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents in Charleston, South Carolina can occur for a variety of reasons and under many circumstances. Some typical causes of delivery truck accidents include:
- Speeding – Delivery truck drivers and other commercial drivers may have an incentive to drive in a hurry. In some cases, the company that employs them may offer them financial bonuses or other incentives if they deliver their cargo ahead of schedule. When delivery truck drivers are operating their vehicles in a hurried manner, they are far more likely to speed and to disregard the rules of the road. The unfortunate consequence is sometimes a serious motor vehicle accident.
- Driving while fatigued – Just as hurried driving can lead to careless motor vehicle operation, so can fatigued driving. Companies often encourage their drivers to operate their vehicles for hours on end—often without the necessary breaks or sleep. This is also usually for financial gain. If a delivery truck driver falls asleep at the wheel or is not paying proper attention to the roadway, a serious accident is likely to follow.
- Improper truck maintenance – Truck companies and their drivers have a duty to ensure that their vehicles are in good repair at all times. Moreover, truck repair facilities have a duty to ensure that good quality repairs are made in a workmanlike manner. If the truck driver, trucking company, or repair facility fails in this regard, they can potentially be sued for negligence. When it comes to truck maintenance, it is especially important to ensure that truck tires and braking systems are properly maintained at all times.
- Careless, reckless, or negligent driving – Delivery truck drivers owe a duty to all other roadway drivers. Specifically, these drivers must operate their trucks in a reasonably safe manner at all times and abide by all traffic laws and rules of the road. When drivers speed, run red lights, and break other traffic laws, they are placing everyone else on the road in danger. Some delivery truck drivers also allow themselves to become distracted while operating their vehicles. Mobile devices, such as cell phones, as well as food, drink, or loud music in the vehicle may distract drivers.
- Driving while intoxicated – When delivery truck drivers operate their motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are at high risk for causing an accident. Drugs and alcohol can seriously impair a truck driver’s faculties, affecting their ability to drive in a safe and careful manner. In addition to facing civil penalties, intoxicated delivery truck drivers will also likely face serious criminal penalties—including fines and/or incarceration—for their actions.
The experienced auto accident lawyers at the Hughey Law Firm can investigate the circumstances of your accident and determine if the delivery truck driver was negligent. If so, our lawyers can help you prove fault and damages in your case.
Potential Defendants in Delivery Truck Accident Cases
In order to obtain monetary compensation in a personal injury case, you first have to file a claim or lawsuit against the correct person or persons. The obvious person to sue in the trucking accident context is the truck driver. In order to show that the driver was negligent, you must be able to show that he or she acted unreasonably under the circumstances.
In addition to the driver, you may also be able to sue the driver’s employer, which is usually a corporation. A corporation may be liable for some or all of your damages if the driver was on the job at the time the accident occurred. The driver must also have been acting within the scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident.
If you can prove that the truck was recently repaired and that these repairs were done negligently, you may be able to file a claim against the repair facility. Finally, in some cases, a defective truck part (such as the brakes) may be to blame for the accident. If you can show that the product manufacturer or distributor was negligent or strictly liable, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit for products liability and recover damages in your case.
The experienced lawyers at The Hughey Law Firm can file a claim or lawsuit against all potential defendants in your case.
Talk to a Charleston Auto Accident Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by a delivery truck driver, you have legal options available to you. The personal injury attorneys at the Hughey Law Firm may be able to help you recover monetary compensation for all of the medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering you sustained in your auto accident.
To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a Charleston auto accident lawyer, please call us at (843) 881-8644, or contact us online.