Commercial Truck Accidents

Guiding South Carolina truck accident victims through complicated claims

Sharing the road with commercial trucks and vehicles is part of everyday life, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. Commercial truck accidents often cause severe injuries, significant property damage, and lasting emotional trauma. If you’ve been involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, you’re likely dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the overwhelming stress of figuring out what to do next.

That’s where a commercial truck accident attorney can make a difference. At Johnson + Johnson, we understand the unique challenges of these cases and are here to help you navigate the legal process. Whether you’re considering filing a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit or simply want to explore your options, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.

What are common commercial vehicles?

Commercial vehicles come in many shapes and sizes, but they all share one thing in common: their size and weight make accidents involving them especially dangerous. Common types of commercial vehicles include:

18-wheelers and semi-trucks
Box trucks
Delivery vehicles (Amazon or UPS trucks)
Buses and passenger vans
Garbage trucks
Construction vehicles (dump trucks, cement mixers)

Each type of vehicle presents unique risks on the road, which is why legal cases involving commercial vehicles often require an experienced attorney.

What causes commercial truck accidents?

Commercial truck accidents often happen because of preventable mistakes or negligence. Understanding the common causes can shed light on what went wrong and who may be responsible. Here are the most frequent factors behind these devastating crashes:

Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours under tight deadlines. Even with federal regulations limiting driving hours, fatigue remains a major issue in the trucking industry. A tired driver has slower reaction times, poor judgment, and a higher likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel, all of which can lead to serious accidents.
Distracted driving: Truck drivers spend long periods on the road, and distractions are everywhere. Whether it’s checking a GPS, using a phone, or even eating behind the wheel, any moment of lost focus can have catastrophic consequences when driving a vehicle that weighs tens of thousands of pounds.
Impaired driving: Substances like alcohol or drugs (including prescription medications) can impair a driver’s ability to operate their truck safely. Even slight impairment can reduce reaction time, cloud judgment, and increase the risk of accidents.
Improperly loaded cargo: Commercial trucks carry massive loads, and when cargo isn’t loaded or secured correctly, it can shift during transit. This can cause the truck to become unbalanced, leading to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or falling debris that endanger other drivers on the road.
Poor vehicle maintenance: Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate. However, skipping routine inspections or neglecting repairs can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues that cause accidents.
Speeding and reckless driving: Because commercial trucks are large and heavy, speeding makes it much harder for drivers to stop in time to avoid collisions. Reckless behaviors like tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and ignoring traffic signals are particularly dangerous when driving such massive vehicles.
Weather conditions: Rain, snow, ice, and fog create hazardous conditions for any vehicle, but commercial trucks are especially vulnerable. Slick roads reduce traction, and poor visibility makes it harder for drivers to react to changes in traffic, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Inadequate training or experience: Driving a commercial truck requires specialized skills, and not all drivers are adequately trained or experienced. A driver who doesn’t know how to handle tight turns, heavy loads, or emergency situations poses a serious risk to everyone on the road.
Equipment failure: Sometimes, the issue isn’t the driver but the equipment. Defective brakes, faulty tires, or malfunctioning steering systems can lead to crashes. In such cases, the manufacturer or maintenance provider may be held liable.

How much is a commercial vehicle accident settlement worth?

Victims of commercial truck accidents often wonder what kind of compensation they can expect. The average settlement for a commercial vehicle accident varies depending on the severity of injuries, property damage, and other factors. Cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death typically result in higher commercial truck accident settlements, while less severe accidents may yield more moderate payouts.

Similarly, the average cost of a commercial truck accident to the at-fault party – including the trucking company – can be staggering. Expenses often include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and legal fees. To ensure you’re not left covering these costs out of pocket, it’s essential to work with an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer who can fight for the maximum compensation.

Our attorneys can protect your rights after a commercial truck accident

Recovering from a commercial truck accident can feel overwhelming. Between serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and pushback from insurance companies, it’s hard to know where to turn. That’s why having an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer on your side is so important. We understand how complicated these cases can be and fight to hold trucking companies and other responsible parties accountable, so you get the compensation you deserve.

Let us handle the legal details while you focus on your recovery. Whether through a commercial vehicle accident settlement or a lawsuit, we’ll pursue the best possible outcome for your case. Contact our South Carolina firm today for a free consultation, and let’s take the first step toward rebuilding your life together.

“Highly recommend Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law. Steven and Kevin really make you feel like family they are detailed oriented, hardworking, and go out of their way to make sure that all your concerns are being met. You couldn’t ask for a better pair of attorneys to represent you.” – Paul H. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐