There is a good reason why the trucking industry is so heavily regulated – to prevent serious accidents. Unfortunately, pressure from corporations and trucking companies often forces drivers to ignore safety in favor of delivering cargo quickly.
Trucking companies and their drivers sometimes fail to maintain their equipment like they are required to, resulting in brake failures or other malfunctions that can lead to serious accidents. Some companies hire unsafe drivers who have a history of reckless driving, and some truckers use — or abuse — over-the-counter drugs while at the wheel of a big rig.
Injured In A Truck Collision? Call Our Accident Attorneys Today
At Joye Law Firm, we hold trucking companies responsible for demands that result in irresponsible and reckless driving. If you’ve been seriously injured in a heavy truck accident, Just Call Joye and get our South Carolina truck accident attorneys fighting for you. You can reach us at (877) 537-1920 or fill out an online form for a free case review.Joye Law Firm has offices in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, and our experienced tractor-trailer accident attorneys are ready to handle your case anywhere in South Carolina. We’ve successfully represented clients all over our state, including Florence, Richland County, Orangeburg, Columbia, Horry County (including Conway and North Myrtle Beach), North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Summerville.
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Experience Counts
The proven South Carolina personal injury attorneys at Joye Law Firm can help you through the confusion and strain that follow a serious truck accident. Respect, compassion, consideration and care are what you will receive from our lawyers and staff from your first call until your case is resolved. Since 1968 we have helped injured people like you recover not just the money they are entitled to, but also their lives.Some examples of recoveries we have won for our clients include a $4.375 million settlement for a man who received facial and head injuries in a tractor-trailer wreck; separate $3.86 million settlements for the families of two men killed in a truck accident; a $1.025 million settlement for a man severely injured in a collision with a big rig; and a $975,000 settlement for a man who injured his back in a truck crash.
While every case is different, and past results are in no way intended to guarantee that a similar result can be obtained in another case, past results obtained by a law firm are an indication of the firm’s experience when it comes to serious injury and wrongful death cases. For more details about the results obtained for previous Joye Law Firm clients, please click on the Our Results tab on our home page.
Common Issues With Trucking Accidents In South Carolina
Truck accident cases often involve a lot of red tape and can get frustrating when the insurance and trucking company’s legal teams are involved. That’s why it’s important have a South Carolina truck accident attorney to protect your rights.The Joye Law Firm has a record of success with South Carolina truck accident cases, and one of our own lawyers has been invited to join the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. With more than 20 years of experience handling truck accident claims, Mark Joye knows how to win. In his post, he provides fellow attorneys with guidance and counsel on the best methods of litigating these cases and works to uphold the organization’s mission to eliminate unsafe and illegal interstate trucking practices.
With more than 110 years of combined litigation experience, the truck accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm have handled enough cases to identify some frequent concerns. We also know that each case is unique – including yours. That’s why it’s important to talk to us directly.
To help answer some questions you might have, we have compiled information on issues that we often deal with, including:
- Driver fatigue – A drowsy driver at the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle is a setup for catastrophe. That’s why federal regulations limit the amount of time truckers can spend on the road, but those rules are too frequently broken.
- Braking failure – The laws of physics dictate that heavy trucks need strong brakes to haul them to a stop. Poor maintenance or faulty design can lead to brake failure and serious accidents.
- Driver’s use of over-the-counter drugs - Whether a truck driver is using pills as a stimulant or is taking medication to alleviate other symptoms, the side effects of over-the-counter drugs can seriously decrease driving ability and highway safety.
- Driver’s failure to stop - When a big rig barrels through a stop sign, traffic light or a pedestrian crossing, a traumatic crash can result.
What Should I Do If I’m In An South Carolina Truck Crash?
Your first priority after a trucking wreck is to make sure you and others involved get medical treatment for any injuries. Even if you don’t feel hurt, you should still see your doctor and describe what happened. Sometimes injuries are not immediately evident.As soon as possible, you should report the accident to your insurance company. A delayed report could hurt your claim. When talking to the insurance company, you should not give a recorded or written statement about the accident until you have consulted with a qualified South Carolina trucking accident attorney.
You should keep track of all receipts and documents related to the accident and your treatment. It is also a good idea to keep a simple journal about your recovery and how your injuries have affected your life. Details could be hard to recall later.
An insurance adjustor might approach you in hopes of settling your claim. Don’t sign any documents without first talking to an experienced South Carolina truck accident attorney like those at Joye Law Firm. You could sign away your rights to the full compensation you deserve.
