Gaffney Truck Accident Lawyer

When an 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the results are often catastrophic and deadly. If you are injured by a big rig or smaller commercial vehicle, a Gaffney truck accident lawyer from Holland & Usry offers a FREE case review to determine your best next move and how we can support you. Reach out today to discuss your case with our experienced personal injury attorney.

What Are Some of the Federal Safety Measures?

The commercial trucking industry is overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA restricts the number of hours per day and week that truckers can drive, and they must take breaks at regular intervals on long-haul trips. Maintenance and mileage logs are also required to prove compliance.

More trucks continue to be equipped with onboard black boxes and cameras that record functionality, much like an airplane black box. They are particularly helpful if the trucker is involved in an accident, as they serve as evidence. Evidence of a trucker’s mistakes, which could also hold the company liable, can disappear quickly. Contact a Gaffney truck accident attorney promptly for a FREE case review to protect your rights before they disappear.

Federal Truck Insurance Requirements Affecting Accident Claims

When an attorney explores options for getting you compensation after a truck accident, negotiating with insurers is one option. Under the US Code of Federal Regulations § 387.9, commercial trucking companies must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance and $5 million if they transport hazardous cargo. If the insurance company for the trucker and the trucking company won’t pay a fair settlement, a Gaffney 18-wheeler accident lawyer can file suit against the trucker and employer on your behalf.

Truck Accidents Caused by Negligence

Your attorney must prove that someone’s negligence or recklessness caused your injuries. This entails identifying the industry safety rules broken by the trucker and the trucking company that caused your injuries. Some trucker actions that are the basis of pursuing a claim include:

  • Driving more hours than the FMCSA allows and then falling asleep at the wheel
  • Driving after drinking alcohol or taking illicit or prescription drugs to the point of impairment
  • Breaking laws while driving, such as speeding
  • Trucking companies that encourage truckers to drive longer hours to increase profits
  • Trucking companies that fail to train drivers and do not demand that they have a commercial driver’s license
  • Trucking companies that fail to maintain their trucks, causing safety issues

Along with truckers and their employers, manufacturers or mechanics may be liable for your losses if any design or system, such as the braking system, malfunctions because it was faulty or improperly repaired. Insurance settlement money or a damages award by a jury compensates you for your medical and rehabilitative expenses, lost wages, the pain you endure, the knowledge you will be disfigured for life, and your loss of enjoyment in life. A Gaffney tractor-trailer collision attorney guides you through your ordeal while restoring what has been taken from you.

Let a Gaffney Truck Accident Attorney Pursue a Claim for You

Devastating injuries and deaths often result from truck accidents, especially if an out-of-control 18-wheeler tips over and continues to skid on a busy highway or causes a pileup. If this happens to you, the law firm of Holland & Usry makes your legal journey about restoring your dignity and securing compensation through compassionate and aggressive advocacy. Call a Gaffney truck accident lawyer now to set up your FREE case review.