Florence Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial trucks are on the highways of Florence every day—and unfortunately often, these large vehicles put other motorists on the road at risk of injury. Since a loaded commercial truck may weigh nearly 26 times an average automobile, an accident between a car and a commercial truck can end in tragedy, causing severe injuries to the bones, head, neck, back, spine, or internal organs.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute, one in ten highway deaths happen in accidents involving large trucks. Most fatalities in these crashes are people in passenger vehicles. Large trucks are taller with more ground clearance, which can make smaller passenger cars under-ride large trucks when they collide in accidents.
If you were in an accident involving a commercial truck, consider contacting a Florence truck accident lawyer. You may be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering.
The Reasons Behind Truck Accidents in Florence
There are many potential causes for driving accidents involving commercial trucks. The driver could be fatigued, untrained for the job, negligent, speeding, or experiencing a mechanical failure.
Trucking companies can also cause accidents. If they fail to properly load the cargo, fail to maintain the truck, or incentivize unsafe practices like driving without breaks to beat deadlines, they may be found negligent in civil court.
Most truck accidents involve negligence of some type. Often, either the truck driver or truck company acted negligently and caused an accident.
Types of Compensation for Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck accident victims in Florence may be able to collect compensation for economic and non-economic losses. When highway accidents with a commercial truck happen, the injured motorist may be able to recover compensation for:
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of income and wages
- Physical or mental anguish
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
Special Laws for the Trucking Industry
Truck drivers must obey the same traffic laws every driver on the highway must follow. However, there are certain laws the trucking industry specifically requires commercial truck drivers to follow and obey. These laws are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
By federal hours-of-service regulations, operators of large trucks can drive up to 11 hours at a stretch and up to 77 hours in a week. Many truck drivers work longer than they should and violate these regulations. When they do so, they may be drowsy and unable to react adequately in an accident.
Following the rules and regulations of the trucking industry is important, and when truck drivers disobey the laws, they put themselves and other motorists at risk. When commercial truck drivers break these laws, the driver or their company may also be liable for any resulting accident.
A Florence Truck Accident Attorney Could Help
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an accident involving a commercial truck, a compassionate Florence truck accident lawyer could help you pursue compensation for your damages. Contact an attorney today to schedule a consultation and get started on your case.