Truck accidents in Charleston are all too common. With motor vehicles sharing the road with large trucks, dangerous wrecks are often the unfortunate result.
Here at Hoffman Law Firm, our commercial truck accident attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to secure the compensation you deserve. Our Charleston law firm also has some great advice for staying safe on the road! Read on.
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
A commercial vehicle is used to transport goods or help provide services for a business, including the following:
- Tractor trailers
- Dump trucks
- Tankers
- Auto haulers
- Garbage trucks
How Do Vehicle Crashes Differ From Truck Wrecks?
Commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, nearly 20 times more than the average car. These enormous vehicles are harder to maneuver, so it is no surprise that collisions can become fatal accidents.
Because of the complicated nature of these cases, it’s important to involve an experienced commercial truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Here at Hoffman Law Firm, we’ll help determine who is responsible for your crash and pursue the damages you deserve.
Keep in mind that truck drivers must follow a specific set of road rules, holding them accountable for maintaining safe practices. If the truck driver involved fails to meet these standards or the trucking company doesn’t provide the proper training or truck maintenance, you may be eligible for damages – such as compensation for medical bills and vehicle damage.
Safety Tips to Avoid Commercial Vehicle Accidents in South Carolina
Many trucking accidents in South Carolina are the result of distracted driving, poor vehicle maintenance or improper training. While local drivers can’t do much to prevent these scenarios from occurring, they can keep these tips in mind when sharing the roads with commercial vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following:
- Avoid blind spots.
Commercial trucks have more, and much larger, blind spots than typical motor vehicles. Avoid driving near a truck for long, and use extra caution when merging or changing lanes. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can see you.
- Only pass on the left.
A truck’s largest blind spot is on the right side, so be sure to ALWAYS pass on the left.
- Don’t drive directly in front of a commercial truck.
Remember that commercial vehicles are much heavier and take much longer to stop. To avoid getting rear-ended, give trucks plenty of room when passing and don’t stay right in front of them.
- Watch for wide right turns.
Because of their design, large trucks can’t take tight turns and often swing into the left lane when turning right. Keep an eye out for this to avoid accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Involved in a Trucking Accident Near Charleston? Call Hoffman Law Firm.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury in a South Carolina trucking accident, our Charleston law firm can help. Our South Carolina attorneys have worked with countless truck accident victims, offer experienced SC law legal advice and have the experience necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
After your wreck, call the truck accident lawyers you can trust. Call Hoffman Law Firm today.