Greenville Logging Truck Accident Lawyer

When you get hurt in a logging truck accident someone else caused in Greenville, you should not have to bear the brunt of the financial expenses that follow. You did not cause the crash, so why should you be left with the losses it left?

Compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more could be available from the parties at fault for the accident. However, going up against big trucking companies and their insurers for the compensation you need will be difficult. But you don’t have to do it alone.

You need a Greenville logging truck accident lawyer from The Melonakos Law Firm. We have been helping injured people seek the compensation they deserve since 2018, and we want to help you now.

Contact us today for a free consultation on how we can help you pursue the money you need.

Why Logging Truck Accidents Are Common on Greenville-Area Roads

Logging is big business in South Carolina. Forestry accounts for $23.2 billion of South Carolina’s annual economic activity and 2.9 percent of the state’s economy, according to data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Several logging companies are based in Greenville, and many operate in the surrounding area. As a result, the 18-wheelers hauling logs to and from these companies and their customers are frequent sights on the roads around Greenville.

Trucking accidents occur across the nation, and Greenville, SC, is no exception. The same elements that contribute to trucking accidents elsewhere apply here, as well, including:

• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Driver fatigue
• Aggressive driving, including speeding
• Improperly loaded cargo
• Overloaded vehicles
• Maintenance failures
• Faulty parts or truck systems
• Oversized loads
• Tire blowouts
• Inclement weather
• Improperly secured cargo
• Other types of truck driver negligence

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Logging Truck Crash?

Numerous parties could be responsible for causing a logging truck accident. Anyone who contributed to the accident could be held accountable by someone injured in the crash. Some examples of potentially liable parties include:

• Truck driver – A truck driver who is under the influence, drives beyond the number of hours allowed by federal regulations without a break, drives while distracted, or is otherwise negligent, could be responsible for the crash.
• Trucking company – A trucking company that fails to vet its drivers properly, does not train its drivers properly, or pressures them into meeting unrealistic schedules could face liability for accidents that result from these actions.
• Truck manufacturing company – A faulty system or component on the truck could fail, causing an accident and leaving the manufacturer open to liability.
• Maintenance company – A company engaged to maintain the logging company’s fleet that skimps on inspections or misses major issues that later fail and contribute to an accident could be held accountable.
• Cargo loaders – Logs that are improperly loaded can shift, causing an imbalance that could contribute to a crash or fall off the truck bed onto the roadway. Improper loading or securement can make the cargo loading company responsible.

Federal and South Carolina Regulations That Apply to Logging Trucks

South Carolina trucking companies must comply with state regulations. Trucking companies must obtain a certificate from the Office of Regulatory Staff to operate for compensation on public highways. According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, all commercial drivers must hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and pass medical and background screenings.

Additionally, South Carolina requires vehicle maintenance and inspections, and motor carriers must carry insurance coverage. The South Carolina Department of Transportation regulations apply to commercial motor vehicles that weigh more than 10,001 pounds, operate to or from out-of-state locations, and transport hazardous materials.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created trucking regulations that apply to all commercial trucking companies and drivers, including South Carolina logging trucks. The federal trucking regulations are intended to make South Carolina’s roads safer for everyone. The FMCSA regulations include:

• Hours of service rules – HOS rules limit the number of hours a South Carolina truck driver can be behind the wheel without a break, and how many hours they can drive in specific periods. Drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 hours off duty, they must take a break after 8 cumulative hours of driving, and they may not drive more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days.
• Securement rules – These rules dictate the types of securement devices that must be used for different types of cargo, the amount of force that securement systems must be able to withstand, and cargo placement.
• Drug and alcohol regulations – Truckers will be immediately prevented from operating any commercial motor vehicle on public roads if they have a positive drug or alcohol test that shows a concentration of 0.04 percent or more.
• Required insurance coverage – Federal regulations require insurance coverage between $750,000 and $5 million, depending on the type of cargo.

When you engage our Greenville truck accident lawyers for your case, we can determine whether the trucker or trucking company violated any of the applicable rules, which could be evidence of negligent behavior that could strengthen your case.

Injuries and Compensation After a Greenville Logging Truck Accident

Logging truck accidents involve tremendously heavy vehicles. When a fully loaded, 80,000-pound logging truck collides with a passenger car, the massive weight imparts an equally huge force to the crash. Significant injuries can result, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Back and neck injuries
• Bone fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Amputations
• Facial and dental injuries

When someone else injures you in a logging truck crash, you can seek compensation to cover your accident-related injuries. Through a personal injury claim filed by a logging truck accident attorney, you could get money for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, property damage, and other related losses.

How Our Greenville Logging Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

At The Melonakos Law Firm, our firm is focused on providing compassionate legal services to people who have been injured by someone else’s negligence. We have recovered over $50 million for our clients during our years in practice. We would now like to apply the same skills we used to achieve those results to your case.

When you hire our experienced personal injury attorneys to handle your truck accident case, we can:

• Investigate the accident that injured you
• Gather, analyze, and preserve evidence
• Assess the full value of your claim
• Identify all potentially at-fault parties
• Handle all communications with the insurance company
• Negotiate for a full and fair settlement
• File a lawsuit if no settlement can be reached
• Represent you at trial

Contact The Melonakos Law Firm Now for a Free Consultation

After you suffered an injury in a logging truck accident caused by someone else, you need a log truck accident attorney to represent you and seek the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact The Melonakos Law Firm today for a free consultation with our legal team about how we can help with your truck accident claim.