Spartanburg Truck Accident Causes Lawyer
Upstate South Carolina Defective Brakes Attorney
The trucking industry in the Spartanburg area has grown significantly in recent years, especially along the I-85 and I-26 corridors where the Patrick E. Knie Law Offices is located. As a result of this expansion in business, trucking companies are having to hire drivers with less experience driving big rigs.
A driver may have completed a truck driving class but not driven many miles in real-life highway conditions. Drivers may bring their reckless driving practices of a personal vehicle into their work life – driving at high speed or following too close. (In a recently completed case, a truck slammed into the back of my client's car because the truck driver was driving too fast, following too close, and the driver failed to notice that the traffic in front had slowed to a crawl. The case resulted in a jury verdict of $854,000 for my injured client.)
If you've been hurt in a truck crash, you want to work with a lawyer who has handled trucking accident cases before. The interstate trucking industry is governed by a unique and complex set of federal regulations. Your attorney will need to understand these, as well as understand how to investigate the possible causes of the truck crash.
At Patrick E. Knie Law Offices, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, I have been handling personal injury and wrongful death cases involving vehicle crashes for more than 35 years. I work with skilled investigators and accident reconstruction experts to review the evidence and build a strong case for financial recovery. I have the resources, the skill and the determination it takes to get results for my clients.
If you were hurt or a loved one died in a fatal truck wreck, contact me, Spartanburg truck accident lawyer Patrick Knie.
Identifying Truck Accident Causes
Trucker error, driver fatigue and drunk driving are possible causes of a truck accident that need to be investigated after a crash. I will check the truck driver's past driving record for DUIs. Federal regulations can make it a little easier to identify when truckers are driving while overly tired because they require drivers to keep accurate records of their miles and driving hours in a log book. However, log books can be falsified so it's essential to investigate further to see if the record is true.
- Could a truck driver reasonably drive from point A to point B in the time specified, without speeding?
- Did the truck clock in at a weighing station or get gas along the way so its progress can be accurately gauged?
- Is any evidence available from the black box the truck is outfitted with to tell investigators what the truck was doing at the time of the crash?
As an experienced trucking accident attorney, I know to look for CB radio and other communication devices that can provide important information. A cell phone could also play a role in distracted driving so I look at cell phone records.
Further, I subpoena documents about company policies, procedures and hiring practices.
Maintenance problems can create hazardous vehicle conditions and defective equipment. Deferred or negligent maintenance can lead to brake failure, steering problems, and problems with the vehicle load. In a recent case, a truck driver lost control of his vehicle when a spring broke. I was able to prove that the vehicle had been repeatedly and seriously overloaded, causing the spring to weaken and ultimately break. I examine records of weights being carried; often they have been in excess of those limited by law.
Sometimes it's not a maintenance problem that causes a part to fail but a defect in the part itself. For example, a tire blowout due to a tread defect could cause a smaller truck to lose control.
Finally, I also examine road conditions and road hazards. Did the crash occur in or near a road construction zone? Was there construction debris in the roadway? Did signage obstruct the driver's vision?
Talk to a Upstate South Carolina Defective Brakes Attorney
I will investigate the cause of your trucking accident along Interstate 85 or 26 and help you secure a full and fair settlement. Contact me online, or call my office at 864-641-3459 or 866-665-4995. Consultations are free and confidential.
