Commercial truck accidents are a different category of collision entirely. The vehicles are heavier, injuries are typically more severe, and the legal landscape is far more layered. They involve federal regulations, commercial insurance policies, and liability that can extend well beyond the driver.
Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers has represented seriously injured people across the Carolinas since 1995, and a personal injury lawyer in Fort Mill from our team is ready to help you pursue every available source of compensation.
The A & A Zero Fee Guarantee™ means you pay nothing unless we win. Our attorneys average 19 years of personal injury experience each, and we have recovered over $100 million for clients throughout North and South Carolina.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Truck Crash
One defining feature of commercial truck accident claims is that liability rarely falls on the driver alone. Trucking operations involve multiple parties, each with their own legal obligations, and when any of them fail, injured people may have claims against more than one.
Identifying every potentially liable party early is one of the consequential things our Fort Mill truck accident attorneys can do in these cases. Parties who may share liability in a trucking collision include:
- The truck driver, for the negligent operation of their vehicle
- The trucking company for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate safety regulations, or failure to maintain its fleet
- The cargo loading company if the cargo on the truck contributed to the crash due to shifting or falling off
- The vehicle maintenance provider if a mechanical failure caused or contributed to the collision
- The manufacturer of a defective truck component in cases where equipment failure played a role
Each of these parties may carry separate insurance coverage, and identifying all of them can significantly increase the total compensation available to you.
Federal Regulations and Your Claim
Commercial trucks operating in South Carolina are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing how many hours a driver can be on the road, how cargo must be secured, and what maintenance standards must be met.
When a trucking company or driver violates these regulations, that violation can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in your claim. Fatigue is one of the leading contributing factors in commercial truck crashes, and FMCSA hours-of-service rules exist specifically to address it.
When logbook records or vehicle recorder data show a driver exceeded those limits, it can be a significant factor in establishing fault. Our attorneys know what records to request and how to preserve them before they are overwritten or claimed to be unavailable.
Evidence We Work to Preserve
Evidence in truck accident cases is both more plentiful and more time-sensitive than in typical car accident claims. Commercial trucks are required to maintain detailed records, and much of that documentation is critical to establishing fault. Key evidence includes:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data, which records driving hours, speed, and location in real time
- The truck’s event data recorder, which captures speed, braking, and other data from moments before impact
- Driver qualification files, including employment history, training records, and drug and alcohol testing results
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance logs showing whether known issues went unaddressed
- Dispatch records and communications between the trucking company and the driver around the time of the crash
Trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly after an accident to control the narrative around available records. Your Fort Mill truck accident lawyer will issue preservation demands and begin our investigation as soon as possible after being retained.
What Compensation May Be Available to You
The severity of injuries in commercial truck accidents means the compensation you’re owed is often substantial. Recoverable compensation can include medical expenses already incurred and projected future treatment costs, lost wages during recovery, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries have lasting effects on your ability to work.
Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and the impact of the injury on your daily life, are also recoverable and can represent a significant part of the total claim.
Why Auger & Auger for Your Case
Auger & Auger is a local, family-owned firm that has served injured people throughout North and South Carolina for three decades. Truck accident cases require knowledge of federal trucking regulations, commercial insurance structures, and how to build claims against multiple defendants. Our attorneys bring that knowledge to every case they handle.
We will travel to you if you cannot come to us, including hospital visits. Our online document signing means you can start the process from wherever you are. Herbert Auger has written a dedicated guide on big truck and commercial vehicle accidents in the Carolinas, and that depth of knowledge runs through every truck accident case our firm handles.
Finally, the A & A Zero Fee Guarantee™ means there are no upfront fees and no payment unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Fort Mill
If you were injured in a commercial truck collision in Fort Mill, do not wait. Contact Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers today for a free case review and find out what your claim may be worth.
Our Fort Mill truck accident attorneys will listen to your story and explain your legal position. If we feel we can help you get more money from your truck accident, we’ll say so and explain how we can help you. Call today to learn your legal options.
