Goose Creek Truck Accident Lawyers

Berkeley County, SC Personal Injury Attorneys For Victims Hurt in Semi-truck Crashes

According to the most recent census data, Goose Creek’s population is over 46,000. Since Goose Creek is situated at the intersection of many busy roads in and out of Charleston, significant traffic-related accidents involving cars and trucks can happen.

In a recent report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, more than sixty Berkeley County truck accidents occur each year with approximately fifty-eight resulting in serious injuries.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we represent individuals injured in Goose Creek truck accidents. Our lawyers have been helping injured people since 1927. Over this time, we have developed extensive knowledge of how to handle these claims to achieve the best possible outcome. Our Goose Creek truck accident lawyers take a comprehensive approach to every case we handle, focusing on what is important to you. We also make ourselves available to answer your questions whenever they come up. The result is that when you bring the Steinberg Law Firm onto your case, you are getting more than a lawyer, but an advocate who will stand alongside you through every step of the process.

Causes of Goose Creek Truck Accidents

Trucks are unique because they are much larger and heavier than other vehicles. Additionally, the nature of a truck driver’s job puts additional pressure on them that most motorists do not face. The most common causes of Goose Creek truck accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers spend long hours on the road to get to their destination. Along the way, truck drivers often get bored and look for ways to keep themselves occupied. However, in doing so, truckers often engage in activities that remove their attention from the road, increasing the chances of causing an accident. Some of the most common distractions among truck drivers include:

• Talking on the phone;
• Texting while driving;
• Scrolling social media;
• Watching television;
• Playing games on their phone;
• Using the truck’s C.B. radio;
• Talking with passengers; and
• Eating and drinking.

Of course, truck drivers have a legal duty to keep their attention on the road. When a truck driver’s distracted driving leads to a Goose Creek truck accident, the truck driver can be held liable for any injuries.

Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving

Truck drivers are required by law to have 10 hours of rest for every 11 hours they drive. Unfortunately, some truck drivers find ways to skirt around this requirement. When a truck driver skips out on sufficient sleep, it dramatically increases the chances of the driver nodding off behind the wheel. This kind of fatigue-related driving can lead to serious accidents, often involving other cars and trucks and pedestrians. If you have been injured in a Goose Creek truck accident caused by drowsy driving, you should contact our truck accident lawyers for help today.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speeding is a common cause of accidents across Goose Creek. A speeding truck driver will likely have even less time to respond to sudden road such as other drivers, pedestrians, or obstacles. Due to the size and weight of the vehicle the response time and maneuverability does not allow for much error.

Drowsy Driving

Trucking companies pay truck drivers per mile. Companies also require their drivers to maintain a strict schedule. While this may make intuitive sense, it also encourages truck drivers to cover as much ground as possible daily. However, truck drivers are human and can only spend so many hours behind the wheel before experiencing fatigue. If a truck driver begins dozing off behind the wheel, everyone on the road is at risk. While state and federal regulations require truck drivers to take frequent rest breaks, truckers can find ways around these rest requirements and logs. An experienced Goose Creek truck accident lawyer can help identify the red flags of fatigued driving.

Impaired Driving

To fend off the inevitable fatigue that sets in after covering hundreds of miles per day, some truck drivers rely on illegal or over-the-counter drugs to help keep them alert. While these substances may help truck drivers stay on the road longer, they compromise a trucker’s ability to operate their rig safely. Additionally, once the effects of a drug wear off, truckers often find themselves even more tired than before, further impacting their ability to drive safely.

Mechanical Failures

Mechanical failures cause many truck accidents. Semis and other large trucks rely on the many complex systems that must work together for the vehicle to operate safely. When one system fails, the truck driver may lose control of the rig, or the truck’s trailer may detach, potentially leading to a truck accident

Some common equipment failures that may lead to a Goose Creek truck accident include:

• Defective brakes;
• Defective tires;
• Poorly maintained or defective truck parts;
• Defective lights;
• Misloaded cargo;
• Overloaded cargo;
• Steering system failures;
• Tire failures; and
• Trailer-related defects.

Regardless of the cause of the accident leading to injuries, the attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm can help. We have over 90 years of experience helping injury victims pursue the compensation they need and deserve after a Goose Creek truck accident. Our attorneys have the dedication, knowledge, and skill to bring a claim on your behalf effectively.

Most Dangerous Roads Around Goose Creek

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety keeps track of all truck accidents to better understand and address accident patterns. Among the data the Department collects is where each accident occurs. The following roads are those that saw the greatest number of semi-truck accidents:

• Interstate 26
• U.S. Highway 17
• U.S. Highway 52

These roads alone account for 35 Berkeley County truck accidents, more than half the total number of truck-involved collisions. While all roads in the area come with inherent risks, it is crucial for both truck drivers and other motorists to be aware of conditions that can make these roads especially treacherous. Looking for legal help after a serious truck accident in Goose Creek? Turn to the experienced attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm. With over 90 years of experience handling personal injury claims, our team is ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a consultation.

Recovering After a Goose Creek Truck Accident

After a Goose Creek truck accident, you may find that your life is suddenly turned upside down. With a low unemployment rate, most Goose Creek residents work. However, you cannot work if you are stuck in the hospital recovering from severe accident-related injuries. Additionally, even after you have been released from the hospital, you may face medical expenses and additional recovery time

At the Steinberg Law Firm, it is not fair that hardworking Goose Creek residents find themselves financially disadvantaged by a truck driver’s negligence. Through a truck accident lawsuit, truck accident victims can obtain meaningful compensation to help them move on more quickly after the accident. To successfully bring a Goose Creek truck accident case, you must establish the following elements:

• Duty – The truck driver owed you a duty of care.
• Breach – The truck driver violated the duty of care they owed you.
• Causation – The truck driver’s actions caused your injuries.
• Damages – You suffered legally recognizable damages due to the accident.

If you can demonstrate these elements, you may be able to bring a claim against the trucking company. Trucking companies are generally liable for the negligent actions of their employees. This means that if a negligent truck driver injured you while acting within the scope of their employment, the trucking company might also be responsible for your injuries. Alternatively, trucking companies may be held liable if they negligently hired a driver they should have known posed a risk to other motorists.

Damages in a Goose Creek Truck Accident

If you successfully bring a Goose Creek truck accident lawsuit, you can recover financially for your injuries. While every case is unique, South Carolina law typically allows accident victims to recover for their economic and non-economic damages following an accident.

Economic damages are those intended to compensate you for the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred because of the accident and include:

• Medical bills, including emergency room treatment, hospital bills, follow-up doctors’ visits, and more;
• Lost wages, consisting of the income that you would have earned had you not been involved in the accident;
• Decrease in earning capacity due to the long-term effects of your injuries or disability; and
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional and psychological impact of the accident on your life. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are subjective, meaning they vary significantly based on the individual circumstances of each case. However, non-economic damages include the following:

• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Humiliation
• Inconvenience
• Loss of consortium (involving a spousal relationship)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of society and companionship (involving a relationship with others)
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering, and
• Physical impairment.

Obtaining a fair settlement or verdict for economic and non-economic damages is part of making a full recovery. At the Steinberg Law Firm, our Goose Creek truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling complex claims and can help you identify the full extent of your damages.

Contact the Respected Goose Creek Truck Accident Lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm for Immediate Assistance

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a Goose Creek truck accident, our sympathies go out to you and your family. We recognize the challenges that follow in the wake of a serious accident and want to do whatever we can to help. Our Goose Creek truck accident lawyers are available to schedule a free consultation to discuss the accident and provide you with an honest assessment of your case.

We have over 90 years of experience aggressively advocating for accident victims and helping them obtain the compensation they need to move on with their lives more quickly. When you bring the Steinberg Law Firm onto your case, you will feel immediate comfort knowing that your case—and your future—is in caring and capable hands.

To learn more and schedule a free consultation with one of our Goose Creek truck accident lawyers, call us at 843-720-2800. You can also connect with us through our online contact form. And because we accept all personal injury cases on a contingency basis, we will never ask you to pay for our representation unless and until we can recover compensation on your behalf.