It is important to contact an attorney following a trucking collision. The insurance claims adjuster that may contact you is not looking out for your best interest. The insurance claims adjuster is helping to make sure the trucking company and its insurance carrier compensations you the least as possible, or not at all. You need the help of an experienced trucking accident attorney on your side.
Trucking collisions occur on our roadways in South Carolina almost everyday. The facts related to trucking accidents are alarming.
The highest number of crashes involving 18-wheelers or large commercial truck occur on long haul trips. Approximately 65% of all fatalities from trucking accident occur on long-haul trips. Statistics show that 1 in 4 truckers admit to falling asleep while driving during the previous month. This is because trucker consistently get less than 5 hours of sleep per night. This sleep is often in a the cab of the truck, and truckers use high does of caffeine, and sometimes drugs, to attempt to stay alert behind the wheel. You may not realize it, but the lack of sleep impacts alertness and performance similar to being under the influence of alcohol. Truckers are required to meet strict load and delivery schedules, and their compensation is largely based on logging as many hours behind the wheel as possible. While there are mandatory Hours of Service rules set forth by Federal Regulations, these rules are often ignored by drivers of 18-wheeler.
Severe injuries or death is more likely to occur in a trucking collusion due to the sheer size of 18-wheelers – which can be as long as 53 feet and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Large trucks only account for 4 percent of all registered vehicles, yet they account for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Or, that when large trucks collide with other vehicles, it is the occupants of those vehicles – not the truck drivers – who are killed or injured 73 percent of the time.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision that involved an 18-wheeler or a large truck, you need to call the Goings Law Firm, LLC at (803) 350-9230. We provide aggressive and compassionate representation to injured victims and their families. It will not cost you anything to see if we can help. We offer free consultations to protect the rights of injured victims of trucking accidents.
