Lexington County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

More than 2 million tractor-trailers operate in the United States at any given time. These vehicles can weigh up to 40 tons – about 20 times the weight of the average car. When commercial truck drivers fail to take essential precaution and exercise their responsibility safely, they put others on the road in danger. In fact, in approximately 95 percent of all fatal accidents involving commercial trucks, the victim is a passenger or driver of the passenger vehicle.

What causes tractor-trailer accidents? In many cases, the driver of the commercial vehicle or the trucking company is to blame. For example, one leading cause of tractor-trailer accidents is driver fatigue. According to new 2013 laws, truck drivers must follow certain requirements, such as taking mandatory rest periods. These requirements also limit the number of hours that a truck driver may operate in a single week. Unfortunately, many drivers do not comply with these regulations, whether because of pressure from the company that hired them or just a desire to increase their bottom line.

As a result, approximately 6,000 truck accidents each year are caused by driver fatigue, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. At Harling & West, LLC, we believe that drivers and trucking companies who put money above the safety of other drivers in South Carolina should be held responsible for their actions. Other leading factors in tractor-trailer collisions include the following: