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Dump Truck Accident Lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina

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The average dump truck can weigh several times that of a regular vehicle on the road. Some trucks, like those fitted with a hydraulic lift, can haul loads of over 26 tons. Just imagine the sheer force and power of a vehicle that size barreling down the road!

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The idea of a “dump truck” probably doesn’t cross your mind very often. In reality, we share the road with dump trucks every day. Dump trucks are responsible for carrying heavy loads or loose materials like concrete, gravel and sand. Just as any other large truck on the road, dump trucks pose a threat to motorists due to their sheer size and volume. When accidents do occur with these vehicles, it is likely that the damage will be severe. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a dump truck, the experienced team at Green Law Firm can help you! We understand the complexities of going up against large companies that are represented by even larger insurance companies. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and work tirelessly to see that you are compensated fairly.

What Can Happen in a Dump Truck Crash?

The greatest threat that a dump truck poses to pedestrian vehicles on the road has everything to do with this size. This includes:

  • Height; tall trucks may block road signs, stop lights and other signs that motorists need to see to drive safely on the road
  • Likelihood of drive under; because of their taller carriage, when accidents do occur, it is likely that an average size vehicle will go under the dump truck and get lodged there
  • Center of gravity; because of the heavy load a dump truck may carry in relevance to its height, there is always a chance that a truck may tip over
  • Large blind spots; these blind spots would make it easy to miss another vehicle on the road, especially when making necessary lane changes
  • Premature unloading; there is always a risk that a truck may prematurely dump its contents and pose a serious threat to others by leaving debris on the roadway or by dumping the load directly onto another vehicle
  • Construction site danger; on a site with many moving pieces and machinery, there is an increased chance that a dump truck will hit or back up over someone

What to Do After an Accident With a Dump Truck Driver?

If you have been in an accident with a dump truck, there is a good chance that your abilities will be limited to the scene. Accidents can be severe and leave motorists hurt and in need of medical attention! If you can call 911 for medical assistance, then do it! Even if you do not believe you have been injured, you may be in shock and unaware of your medical needs.

If you are fortunate enough to be fully conscious and mobile after your accident, you should do all you can to document the happenings at the scene as best you can. Evidence will be essential in your case; the more concrete and vivid the proof of your case is, the more likely you will be awarded a larger compensation.

You should try to capture photos of:

  • The vehicles involved in the accident, both yours and the dump truck and any additional vehicles involved
  • Skidmarks or any marks and debris on the road
  • The accident scene itself, including the surroundings
  • Your personal injuries
  • The company name that is on the side or back of the truck as well as the truck license plate
  • If you are unable to take the pictures yourself, ask a passenger or amiable witness. Perhaps they have taken photos or videos of the accident as well?

Make sure to get the contact information of any witnesses that are present. This would include their names and phone numbers. When police arrive on the scene, note the names and badge numbers of the officers.

Remember…

The dump truck is probably owned and operated by a company covered by a large insurance provider. The minute the accident is reported, this company will send agents to the site to start defending their client! The best thing you can do is to contact an experienced accident attorney like Bill Green and Green Law Firm, who will protect your interests and build a rock-solid case on your behalf!

Do not talk to anyone on the scene you do not have to! Do not discuss who is at fault for the accident or any details with the other drivers or insurance representatives from that driver’s company.

A trucking accident lawyer will jump into action immediately to:

  • Gather evidence before it changes or disappears;
  • Connect with witnesses before they forget what they see or become unreachable; and
  • Protect you from the sneaky tactics of large insurance companies that will be looking to slip you up!

Who Is Responsible in a Dump Truck Accident?

If the driver you have been in an accident with is employed by a company, then the company itself may be held responsible. This is covered by a legal doctrine known as “vicarious liability,” more commonly known as Respondeat Superior. South Carolina dictates that employers can be held liable for the torts of their employees. Here are two different ways that a company can be held responsible for a driver’s negligence:

If the driver is a full-time employee, the company is responsible under the following circumstances:

  • If the company failed to provide adequate training for their drivers
  • For cutting corners with safety inspections
  • Putting deadlines on drivers that cause them to operate their vehicles unsafely

If the driver is a contracted employee:

  • The truck does not properly meet safety inspection standards
  • The drivers themselves are not well-trained or do not have the necessary skills
  • An unsafe environment has been created for the drivers by requiring them to drive distracted by talking or texting or forcing them to work in unrealistic ways to support deadlines

Also, the company itself is responsible for keeping the dump truck safe and operable and taking all precautions to promote an atmosphere of compliance and safety.

Do I Need a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer to Work on My Case?

You may be wondering if obtaining experienced legal counsel to assist with your case is an absolute necessity? Yes! The insurance companies you are up against will have huge resources and work diligently to discredit your case, mitigate your settlement or to see that you are denied payment. They may try to prevent you from having access to evidence that you are lawfully entitled to have, evidence that fortifies your case because it threatens theirs. They may make you an “early offer” with a low-balled settlement because they know that a legal process can be lengthy and bothersome. This is why it is essential to have experienced legal professionals like Bill Green and the team at Green Law Firm to work on your behalf and fight to protect you!

We will handle your case from start to finish. We will obtain detail-oriented evidence with skilled investigators. We will handle all paperwork, police reports and communications with insurance companies. We will see that you are compensated fairly for your pain and suffering with ample compensatory damages and justifiable punitive damages, if applicable. If you or your loved one has been involved in a dump truck accident, call us today at 888-800-2455. We will review your case at NO RISK to you. Remember, we are paid solely based on the amount that you are rewarded; there is no out-of-pocket expense to retain services!

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