An accident that caused a spill of 5,000 gallons of fuel and resulted in a temporary shell-fishing ban may have been the cause of driver negligence, according to a Wareham Courier report. State law enforcement is charging the truck’s driver with multiple motor vehicle offenses including negligent speeding and failure to stay within lanes. The crash, which occurred around 11 p.m., caused the temporary closure of a bridge and access roads while state workers cleaned up. Truck accidents like this due to driver negligence are unfortunately common. But if you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident due to another’s negligence, contact a truck driver negligence attorney right away for help filing a claim.
Truck Driver Negligence
Driver negligence is a concern in any motor vehicle accident. In collisions that involve commercial trucks, reckless or negligent driving may result in severe injuries or even fatalities because of the disproportionate sizes of the vehicles involved in the crash. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the most common ways in which truck accidents occur include trucks crossing or leaving the road, tailgating (following too closely) and colliding with the vehicle in front of the truck, and loss of control. In almost half of all crashes involving commercial vehicles, the truck was responsible for the accident. In fact, a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that in 88 percent of truck accidents, the driver’s behavior was an underlying cause leading to the collision.
Truck driver negligence may come in myriad forms. Some include, but are not limited to:
- Negligent speed
- Tailgating or miscalculating brake distance
- Reckless operation for weather conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to properly secure the load or overload the truck
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving and/or falsifying driver logs
Many of the modern truck models include a “black box” recorder that contains multiple data regarding speed, application of the brakes, and point of impact – among other important details – concerning a crash.
Experienced South Carolina Truck Accident Help
The Charleston truck accident attorneys at Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC have been providing legal services for decades, helping victims of accidents involving truck driver negligence. Representing clients throughout the Tri-County Area, across South Carolina, and beyond state limits, the firm focuses on all types of trucking accidents, and will provide knowledgeable and competent legal advocacy for victims.