Commercial truck and bus accidents are among the most serious types of collisions that happen in South Carolina. Because of the size and weight disparities between large commercial vehicles and passenger cars, these types of accidents frequently result in devastating injuries and deaths.
These are the most common types of commercial vehicle and truck accidents:
Collisions Involving Semi-Trucks
Semi-trucks carry many different types of loads and consist of tractors connected to one or more trailers. They are commonly found on both rural highways and interstates. Semi-truck collisions can cause catastrophic damages and frequently involve complex liability issues.
Collisions Involving 18-Wheelers
Commercial trucks that have 10 wheels with trailers that have eight are called 18-wheelers. These trucks are designed to pull several trailers and are used to transport many different types of loads. The weight of these vehicles is determined by the number of attached trailers. An 18-wheeler accident can be caused by driver inexperience, fatigue, inadequate training, traffic law violations, maintenance issues, and other problems.
Collisions Involving Big Rigs
Big rigs are much larger and heavier than passenger cars and require much greater distances to come to a stop while braking. These vehicles have tractors and attached trailers. Like 18-wheeler accidents, big-rig collisions can be caused by multiple forms of negligence. Lawyers know how to determine liability in big-rig collisions in order to maximize their compensation amounts.
Collisions Involving Buses
While buses are designed to reduce the chance of passenger injuries, some people are seriously injured or killed each year in bus accidents. A majority of people who are injured in accidents caused by buses are the occupants of other cars. Bus driver-related factors that commonly result in collisions include distraction, fatigue, driving under the influence, speeding, and pressure to drive for long hours. Some accidents also happen because of poor training or negligent repairs and inspections.
Collisions Caused by Cargo Trucks
There are many different commercial vehicles that are used to transport cargo. Cargo trucks cause accidents each year caused by improper loading. When a cargo truck is improperly loaded, the load can shift and cause the truck to jackknife, roll, or spill the cargo on the road on other vehicles or in their paths.
Collisions Caused by Construction Vehicles
Construction sites frequently require many different types of construction vehicles that can all cause accidents either while they are being driven on-site or on the roads to and from them. Some of these vehicles include the following:
All of these construction vehicles are hard to maneuver and provide reduced visibility. If a construction worker does not receive adequate training, he or she might cause serious injuries or deaths in accidents.
Collisions Involving Coal Trucks
Coal companies must comply with strict state and federal regulations and laws. These rules also apply to coal trucks that are loaded with coal. Coal truck accidents typically have multiple liable parties. A lawyer will investigate collisions with coal trucks to determine liability so that everyone who contributed to the fault can be held accountable.
Collisions Caused by Delivery Vans
Delivery van drivers often have strict schedules for making their deliveries. This places pressure on the drivers to be on time and sometimes leads them to engage in risky driving behaviors. Some of the various types of delivery trucks and vans include the following:
Collisions Involving Dump Trucks
Because dump trucks are designed to transport loads in excess of 50 tons, they are difficult to maneuver. Smaller vehicles that collide with dump trucks can be crushed. These types of vehicles also sometimes have debris that falls onto the roads. Since they have a higher center of gravity, dump trucks also have a higher risk of tipping in accidents.
Collisions Involving Fuel Trucks
Fuel truck drivers must have endorsements on their commercial drivers' licenses because of the risks involved. A fuel truck crash can cause an explosion or spill. These types of trucks transport gases or liquids in cylindrical containers. The liquid inside of the container can slosh while the truck drives, causing the weight to shift. In an accident, the liquid can explode or catch fire. Fuel truck collisions can cause severe burns and fatalities.
Collisions Involving Garbage Trucks
Since garbage trucks move through residential neighborhoods and on city streets, they place pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, and workers at risk of serious injuries. More pedestrians are killed by garbage trucks than other types of vehicles. Workers may be crushed in the trucks' moving parts, be run over, or suffer injuries from defective or malfunctioning components. Garbage trucks also are frequently operating during the early morning hours when residents are leaving for work or school.
Collisions Involving Logging Trucks
Logging trucks frequently transport logs on flatbed trailers. Chains are commonly used to hold the logs in place. When improper load securement or loading occurs, logs can fall and collide with surrounding vehicles. Logging truck drivers also sometimes engage in negligent driving behaviors, including aggressive driving, distracted driving, speeding, and others.
Collisions Involving Moving Vans
Moving trucks or vans can range from U-Haul or Penske trucks for single apartments to large tractor-trailers that are used to carry the belongings for large houses. Moving vans or trucks may be driven by renters or by professional movers.
Collisions Involving Steel Trucks
Steel trucks are used along the East Coast to carry steel from foundries to manufacturers. In cases in which the steel beams are improperly secured or loaded, they can fall off and pierce through other vehicles. Steel trucks are also very heavy and can crush other vehicles. These types of collisions frequently involve wrongful death or catastrophic injury claims.
Collisions Involving Tanker Trucks
Drivers of tanker trucks must get special endorsements on their commercial drivers' licenses before they can operate the trucks. They have cylindrical containers that are used to transport a large variety of liquids, including fuel, hazardous chemicals, milk, and others. Spills from tanker truck accidents can endanger the health of people who are exposed. When the trucks are carrying flammable liquids, they can explode in accidents.
Collisions Involving Tow Trucks
When people's vehicles break down on the road or are involved in collisions, tow truck companies are summoned to haul them away. Tow truck accidents can happen when other cars collide with the trucks when they are parked on the side of the road or when the drivers try to merge into traffic after attaching the disabled vehicles. These accidents can seriously injure everyone involved and may involve complex issues of liability.
Collisions Involving Tractor-Trailers
Tractor-trailers haul many different types of goods both within the state and across the U.S. The drivers often have strict delivery schedules to meet, and they may suffer from fatigue after driving for many hours without getting enough sleep.
Truck accident lawyers have substantial experience helping the victims of truck and bus accidents recover full compensation for their losses. They understand the complexities of these types of cases and how to properly investigate them. If you or a loved one have been injured by a commercial vehicle, give us a call today at 843 - 281- 7283 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation so that you can learn more about your rights
