A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When one of these vehicles collides with a passenger car, the results are almost always severe. Tractor-trailer crash injuries can often include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs, and fatalities. A Greenville truck accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and get you compensation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2023 Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, 5,472 people were killed, and an estimated 153,452 were injured, in crashes involving large trucks in 2023 alone. That year, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but still a 43% increase over the past decade.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a truck crash, understanding what went wrong is the first step toward holding the responsible parties accountable.
Understanding the Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The common causes of truck accidents fall into three broad categories: Driver error, mechanical failure, and external conditions. The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that driver-related factors were the primary cause in 87% of crashes. That includes fatigue, distraction, impairment, speeding, and poor decision-making behind the wheel.
Mechanical breakdowns, including brake failure and tire blowouts, account for roughly 10% of serious truck wrecks. The remaining crashes stem from road hazards, weather, and cargo loading errors.
Each of these categories triggers different legal questions about who bears responsibility: the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, or even the truck manufacturer. In South Carolina, specific statutes under Title 56 of the S.C. Code of Laws govern the rules of the road, and violations of these laws often serve as the basis for a personal injury claim.
Truck Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations
Truck driver fatigue is one of the deadliest factors on the road. A fatigued driver’s reaction time drops to levels comparable to someone driving under the influence of alcohol. The FMCSA addresses this directly through the Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations.
Under current federal rules, a property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must also take a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. The 60/70-hour rule caps total on-duty time over a 7- or 8-day period.
Trucking companies are required to maintain Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record driving hours. Despite this, violations remain widespread. Some carriers pressure drivers to falsify logs or keep two sets of records. Others structure routes so tightly that drivers have no realistic way to comply with rest requirements.
In a South Carolina truck accident case, ELD data and driver logbooks can become key evidence. If the records show the driver exceeded HOS limits or skipped mandatory breaks before the crash, that establishes a clear violation of federal safety regulations, which is strong evidence of negligence under South Carolina tort law.
Distracted Driving in Commercial Truck Accidents
Federal regulations under 49 CFR 392.80 and 392.82 prohibit commercial vehicle operators from texting or using handheld mobile devices while driving. A truck traveling at 55 mph covers the length of a football field in about five seconds. Any distraction during that window can be catastrophic.
Common distractions include:
- Using dispatching devices or GPS systems.
- Eating or drinking while driving.
- Adjusting the radio or climate controls.
- Using a cell phone for calls or social media.
South Carolina follows a fault-based system for motor vehicle accidents, meaning the injured party must prove the other driver’s negligence caused the crash.
Speeding and Unsafe Driving for Conditions
Speed limits for trucks on South Carolina highways are governed by S.C. Code Ann. 56-5-1520. This code requires drivers to operate at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent under the conditions.”
If a truck driver exceeds the posted speed limit or drives too fast for the current weather or traffic, they are liable for the resulting damages. High speeds also increase the likelihood of “jackknifing,” where the trailer swings out to the side, or a rollover accident.
Speeding violations are straightforward to prove in many cases. Event data recorders (EDRs), sometimes called “black boxes,” are installed in most modern commercial trucks and capture speed, braking, and acceleration data in the seconds before a crash. GPS tracking and telematics systems maintained by the carrier often provide additional speed data.
Poor Truck Maintenance and Equipment Failure
Federal regulations set strict standards for the condition of commercial vehicles. Carriers must perform systematic inspections, repairs, and maintenance on every truck in their fleet. Drivers are required to conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections and document any defects.
The most common maintenance-related failures include brake system malfunctions, tire blowouts, faulty lighting, and steering defects. Brake problems alone are cited as a factor in nearly 30% of large truck crashes studied by the FMCSA.
When a crash results from a mechanical failure, the trucking company may be responsible for failing to maintain the vehicle. A third-party maintenance provider may be liable for negligent repairs. In some cases, the truck or parts manufacturer may face a product liability claim if a defective component caused or contributed to the wreck.
How a Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Greenville truck accident lawyer from David R. Price, Jr., P.A. provides the legal support necessary to take on large trucking corporations. Here is how our firm helps you after a South Carolina truck accident:
- Preserving Evidence: We quickly secure “Black Box” data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they are deleted or destroyed.
- Identifying Liable Parties: We determine if the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, or a parts manufacturer is responsible for the crash.
- Investigating Regulations: Our team checks for violations of FMCSA safety standards, such as truck driver fatigue and Hours-of-Service breaches.
- Calculating Total Damages: We account for all losses, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Handling Insurance Adjusters: We manage all communications with insurance companies to prevent you from making statements that could hurt your claim.
- Litigation Support: If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court.
Contact Our Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a truck accident in South Carolina, the evidence you need to build your case has a limited shelf life. Trucking companies and their insurers begin their own investigation immediately after a crash, and their goal is to minimize what they pay, not to protect your rights.
Contact David R. Price, Jr., P.A. at 864-271-2636 to request a free consultation regarding your case.
We are located in Greenville and are ready to help you hold the negligent parties accountable for your injuries.