Myrtle Beach Attorneys of The Yates Firm - WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF A LARGE FIRM
MYRTLE BEACH ATTORNEYS OF THE YATES FIRM
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a commercial truck, you should contact The Yates Firm immediately. You might be entitled to financial compensation if the truck driver, trucking company, or another negligent party were at fault for the crash.
You likely drove past a commercial truck at some point in your life. Tractor-trailers and other large trucks are common sights on roadways in Myrtle Beach. Unlike a passenger vehicle that only weighs around 3,000 pounds, a commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds while carrying a full cargo load. It can cause massive destruction and injuries during an accident with a small car.
Whether the truck driver behaved recklessly at the wheel or the trucking company negligently hired an inexperienced trucker, you have a right to hold them liable for your injuries and resulting losses. You should not be forced to pay for your medical treatment and other expenses if your actions didn’t contribute to the accident.
At, we have a team of dedicated and knowledgeable Myrtle Beach truck accident attorneys to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We will use the resources at our disposal to prove fault, so you receive the money you’re owed from the insurance company. You can count on us to remain by your side until the end.
For a free consultation where you can learn more about our services and how we can help, call The Yates Firm at 843.692.3237 today.
In 2020, there were 2,502 fatal crashes involving large trucks in South Carolina. These accidents resulted in 1,723 injuries and 103 deaths.
Typically, the occupants of small cars suffer more serious injuries and fatalities than commercial truck drivers and passengers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 67 percent of the 4,119 deaths in truck accidents throughout the United States were the occupants of passenger vehicles. Only 16 percent were the occupants of large trucks.
Fatigue is common among commercial truck drivers. They spend hours on the road and can drive hundreds of miles in a single shift. Although federal law limits the number of hours truckers can drive, some will travel beyond the maximum limit to stay on schedule and make money.
Operating a large truck requires attention and focus. It might not seem like dangerous behavior, but feeling tired can prevent a trucker from noticing dangerous conditions or braking in time to avoid a crash. It can significantly impair the truck driver’s mental and physical faculties when fatigue sets in.
Whether a truck’s cargo is destined for warehouses, residences, or retail stores, it’s crucial that the cargo remains within the maximum weight and size limits. Overloading a cargo container can place too much weight on the tires, causing them to explode. The extra weight can also prevent the trucker from having total control over the vehicle.
Using the correct securement devices is also necessary. The cargo should remain in place during transport so nothing shifts, which can throw the truck off balance, and so that nothing falls off the back of the trailer. Defective tie-downs or straps won’t keep cargo securely in place.
Commercial truck blind spots extend farther than the blind spots on passenger vehicles. Instead of two, truck drivers must pay attention to four. There is a blind spot on either side of the vehicle, in front of the cab, and behind the trailer.
Truckers should always check their blind spots before maneuvering around other vehicles. The truck could sideswipe a small car traveling alongside if the truck driver doesn’t check their blind spots before changing lanes.
Truck drivers can’t slam on their brakes while maintaining control of the entire tractor-trailer. It’s critical for the trucker to slowly apply the brakes long before stopping for traffic or red light. Using the incorrect method to stop the rig can cause the trucker to lose control and crash.
Additionally, the momentum of stopping suddenly can cause the trailer to skid or the entire vehicle to roll over. Since commercial trucks are heavy and high off the ground, the truck driver must navigate carefully around turns, down hills, and past small cars.
Texting and driving isn’t only illegal on the state level. Federal regulations also prohibit commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile device while operating a commercial truck. Although most people are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, many other distractions can lead to an accident and catastrophic injury, or even death.
Drinking, eating, changing the radio, and turning to look at a passenger are common examples of distracted driving. Multi-tasking isn’t possible while operating a large truck. Anything that takes the trucker’s eyes, hands, or focus off the task of driving prevents them from driving safely. If you’ve been involved in a distracted driving accident, contact The Yates Firm immediately.
Vehicle maintenance is essential no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. It’s particularly crucial when it’s a commercial truck. The various parts and systems must function correctly for the truck driver to make it to their destination. Without the necessary maintenance and repairs, a damaged or defective part could cause the vehicle to malfunction.
Every truck driver must inspect their truck at the end of every driving shift. The trucking company is supposed to perform routine maintenance as well. If the trucker discovers damage, defects, or another issue, they must record it in their travel log so the motor carrier can address it.
Turning right or left at excessive speeds is hazardous in a large truck since it sits high off the ground. Commercial trucks are more susceptible to rolling over due to the high center of gravity when compared to car accidents.
When truck drivers approach a turn, they must slow down and proceed around the turn or bend carefully. Taking the turn too quickly can cause a rollover crash. It’s much harder to control where the vehicle goes while traveling at high speeds.
Speeding is reckless. Whether a truck driver is on the highway or on a secluded road, they must obey the speed limit. It becomes more of a challenge to slow down or stop when necessary if someone exceeds a safe speed in an 80,000-pound truck.
A trucker exceeding the speed limit likely won’t have enough time to stop and avoid an injury-causing crash if they encounter an obstacle in the road or traffic suddenly comes to a standstill. The violent impact of a collision between a small car and a large truck traveling at a high rate of speed can be deadly to the smaller vehicle’s occupants.
Fatigue is common among commercial truck drivers. They spend hours on the road and can drive hundreds of miles in a single shift. Although federal law limits the number of hours truckers can drive, some will travel beyond the maximum limit to stay on schedule and make money.
Operating a large truck requires attention and focus. It might not seem like dangerous behavior, but feeling tired can prevent a trucker from noticing dangerous conditions or braking in time to avoid a crash. It can significantly impair the truck driver’s mental and physical faculties when fatigue sets in.
Whether a truck’s cargo is destined for warehouses, residences, or retail stores, it’s crucial that the cargo remains within the maximum weight and size limits. Overloading a cargo container can place too much weight on the tires, causing them to explode. The extra weight can also prevent the trucker from having total control over the vehicle.
Using the correct securement devices is also necessary. The cargo should remain in place during transport so nothing shifts, which can throw the truck off balance, and so that nothing falls off the back of the trailer. Defective tie-downs or straps won’t keep cargo securely in place. A large object could become a dangerous obstacle if it ends up in
Commercial truck blind spots extend farther than the blind spots on passenger vehicles. Instead of two, truck drivers must pay attention to four. There is a blind spot on either side of the vehicle, in front of the cab, and behind the trailer.
Truckers should always check their blind spots before maneuvering around other vehicles. The truck could sideswipe a small car traveling alongside if the truck driver doesn’t check their blind spots before changing lanes.
Truck drivers can’t slam on their brakes while maintaining control of the entire tractor-trailer. It’s critical for the trucker to slowly apply the brakes long before stopping for traffic or red light. Using the incorrect method to stop the rig can cause the trucker to lose control and crash.
Additionally, the momentum of stopping suddenly can cause the trailer to skid or the entire vehicle to roll over. Since commercial trucks are heavy and high off the ground, the truck driver must navigate carefully around turns, down hills, and past small cars.
Texting and driving isn’t only illegal on the state level. Federal regulations also prohibit commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile device while operating a commercial truck. Although most people are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, many other distractions can lead to an accident.
Drinking, eating, changing the radio, and turning to look at a passenger are common examples of distracted driving. Multi-tasking isn’t possible while operating a large truck. Anything that takes the trucker’s eyes, hands, or focus off the task of driving prevents them from driving safely.
Vehicle maintenance is essential no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. It’s particularly crucial when it’s a commercial truck. The various parts and systems must function correctly for the truck driver to make it to their destination. Without the necessary maintenance and repairs, a damaged or defective part could cause the vehicle to malfunction.
Every truck driver must inspect their truck at the end of every driving shift. The trucking company is supposed to perform routine maintenance as well. If the trucker discovers damage, defects, or another issue, they must record it in their travel log so the motor carrier can address it.
Turning right or left at excessive speeds is hazardous in a large truck since it sits high off the ground. Commercial trucks are more susceptible to rolling over due to the high center of gravity.
When truck drivers approach a turn, they must slow down and proceed around the turn or bend carefully. Taking the turn too quickly can cause a rollover crash. It’s much harder to control where the vehicle goes while traveling at high speeds.
Speeding is reckless. Whether a truck driver is on the highway or on a secluded road, they must obey the speed limit. It becomes more of a challenge to slow down or stop when necessary if someone exceeds a safe speed in an 80,000-pound truck.
A trucker exceeding the speed limit likely won’t have enough time to stop and avoid a crash if they encounter an obstacle in the road or traffic suddenly comes to a standstill. The violent impact of a collision between a small car and a large truck traveling at a high rate of speed can be deadly to the smaller vehicle’s occupants.
Non-economic losses are also compensable. As an injured truck accident victim, you could pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit for the emotional trauma or physical pain you suffered. Reach out to The Yates Firm today.
The Yates Firm is small enough to provide the personalized attention you deserve. You will be our top priority as we work on your case and try to achieve your desired outcome. Our legal team will be in your corner to advocate for your rights and fight for the money you’re owed from the negligent truck driver.
Our Myrtle Beach truck accident attorneys won’t treat you like just another number in a long line of clients. We tailor our services to the unique circumstances of each person’s case. We understand the trauma you experienced and want to do whatever it takes to meet your needs so you can recover and move forward with your life.
REPORT THE ACCIDENT
Evidence is critical after a truck accident. You should call 911 to report the crash so an officer can show up at the scene to investigate. They should write an accident report detailing the events leading up to the accident and who they believe was at fault. The report could serve as helpful evidence to show the truck driver was responsible and should be held liable for your injuries.
SPEAK TO WITHNESSES
If a bystander or the occupants of another vehicle saw what happened, get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses can provide a statement to the insurance company to back up your version of events. If you end up filing a lawsuit, the witnesses could recount what they remember about the crash and testify on your behalf in court.
GO TO THE HOSPITAL
You should seek medical treatment immediately after you leave the accident scene. Don’t wait days or weeks before your initial doctor’s appointment. If necessary, allow an ambulance to transport you to the hospital. Or you can drive yourself to urgent care or your primary care physician. Either way, you should let a medical provider diagnose your injury and recommend a treatment plan so you can heal.
MAINTAIN RECORDS
Keep a copy of all documents related to the accident. That could include hospital records, car repair estimates, and prescriptions. Anything that proves you suffered injuries in the truck accident and incurred expenses could show you deserve compensation from the at-fault party.
SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION
You should consult an attorney before pursuing your case. The Yates Firm can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and file an insurance claim on your behalf. We are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use and will aggressively negotiate a settlement to compensate for your losses. If we can’t secure a favorable settlement for you, we have the resources to proceed with a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
CONTACT US
If a truck driver or another party caused your injuries in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact The Yates Firm to discuss your case.
You can meet with one of our Myrtle Beach truck accident attorneys during a free consultation to learn about your legal options and how we can help you hold the negligent party liable. Call us at 843.692.3237 today or reach out to us online.
ALL CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE
1298 Professional Drive, Suite B
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
204 Elm St, Suite 200
Conway, SC 29526
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