Trucking Accidents

Similar to any automobile accident, the truck driver may bear responsibility if their negligence or recklessness played a role in the collision. Negligent actions such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, operating the vehicle while fatigued, excessive speeding, disregarding right-of-way, or breaching safety regulations are all instances that may lead to liability. Furthermore, if a driver is an employee of a trucking company and was engaged in truck-related duties on behalf of their employer during the accident, there are scenarios in which the company itself can also be held accountable.

Beyond the driver and their employer, other entities could potentially bear legal responsibility for a truck accident, contingent on the contributing factors. For instance, if inadequate maintenance played a role in the collision, there might be grounds to hold the maintenance crew liable. Likewise, if defective components were a contributing factor, the manufacturer of those faulty parts could be held accountable. Even cargo loaders may potentially face liability if their failure to secure cargo adequately results in a collision.

To safeguard your ability to seek damages from accountable parties, it’s imperative to initiate your truck accident lawsuit within the timeframe stipulated by the state. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for truck accidents spans three years from the collision date. However, if the defendant happens to be a government entity, your window of opportunity narrows to two years from the accident date. In cases where a truck accident leads to fatal injuries, the executor of the deceased’s estate is granted three years from their passing date to file a wrongful death lawsuit.