How Often Do Maintenance Issues Lead to Truck Accidents?

A truck that is poorly maintained and taken care of can end up being a danger to everyone on the road. Equipment failure is a leading contributor to truck accidents, and such accidents can cause serious injuries, expensive property damage, and even deaths. If you or a loved one were harmed in a truck accident, a Darlington County, South Carolina truck accident lawyer can help you figure out what caused the collision and who should be held accountable.

How Often Do Vehicle Failures Cause Truck Accidents?

A recent study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed that vehicle failures could be considered the main cause of around 10 percent of accidents involving trucks. That is not the entire story though, because vehicle failures also contribute to nearly 40 percent of truck accidents, meaning that they are at least partially responsible for the collision happening in slightly less than half of such accidents. So it is clear that properly maintaining these vehicles is a necessity, and truck owners that ignore the service needs of their vehicles need to be held responsible when they cause harm.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and prepare to sue for damages if needed. You should:

• Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle
• Call the police to the accident scene
• Avoid saying anything that admits guilt
• Get the medical care you need

Then you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.

How Can Personal Injury Lawyers Help After Truck Accidents?

An experienced truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you with all kinds of things after an accident: They can help you:

Hold all liable parties accountable: Maybe a vehicle failure helped cause the accident, but it is also possible that the driver acted irresponsibly or the owner of the cargo improperly filled the trailer. We will hold any and all liable parties accountable for this crash.

File before the statute of limitations expires: You have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury suit in South Carolina. Act quickly so that our lawyers can start the legal process and begin building your case.

Calculate fair compensation: That first settlement offer from the insurance company is unlikely to cover all of your expenses. Your lawyer will help you fight for compensation that makes up for medical bills, lost wages, and any pain and suffering you have experienced.

Gather evidence: Your lawyer can talk to eyewitnesses, secure surveillance footage, and look into the history of a trucking company to find out if poorly maintaining its vehicles is a habit. Any evidence that can help make your case will be used to hold those who hurt you accountable.

Your attorney is there to advocate for you and answer any questions that you may have. Do not go it alone when you can have a knowledgeable professional on your side.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation

The James Law Office can offer you a free case consultation. Contact our firm to learn more about the potential value of your case and what an experienced legal team can do for you.