Large rigs and other commercial vehicles are the most dangerous hazards on highways and roads. The drivers of these vehicles must take special care to not endanger the well-being of the people around them. Sadly, they could fall into the temptation of becoming distracted while behind the wheel. These distractions can result in significantly delayed reaction time that could lead to a serious collision.
If you have suffered injuries after a distracted driving truck accident in Lancaster, you deserve the compensation that you need to set things right. This may include payments to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma. A rig crash attorney at Schiller & Hamilton could help prove fault for a wreck, measure your losses, and demand fair payment from all liable parties.
Basic Information about Distracted Driving 18-Wheeler Collisions
Every driver, regardless of their type of vehicle, has a duty to protect others while behind the wheel. This includes keeping their attention on their surroundings so as to react quickly and appropriately to potential dangers.
Unfortunately, truckers are among the chief culprits of failing these obligations. Distractions could include:
- Using a cell phone or CB radio
- Changing radio stations
- Eating while behind the wheel
- Observing billboards or their general surroundings
- Drinking alcohol or taking drugs
- Talking to a passenger
Proving that distracted driving caused a wreck in Lancaster is one way to demonstrate fault for a semi collision. A dedicated attorney could take the lead in performing a full investigation. They could determine the reasons for a crash and prove that a trucker’s distraction was the source of the incident.
Compensation Following an Inattentive Trucker Accident in Lancaster
A rig operator who is not paying attention while behind the wheel is most likely to blame for a crash like this. This means that the trucker, their insurance company, and their employer could be liable for covering someone’s losses. A Schiller & Hamilton attorney’s goal is to collect the compensation necessary to set things right following an inattentive driving big rig wreck in Lancaster.
The core of the compensation is to cover a person’s economic losses. This can include any:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
Because 18-wheeler accidents can be extremely serious, it may be necessary to seek out payments for estimated future care. In addition, a case may demand compensation for non-economic losses involving pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
Limits to Receiving Compensation
Regardless of the extent of a person’s damages, they have a limited time under the law to demand payment. South Carolina Code § 15-3-530 sets this time limit at three years from the date of the collision. Failure to bring a case to court within this time means the claimant forfeits all rights to potential compensation.
Contact an Attorney about Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Lancaster
Distracted driving is a leading cause of wrecks involving semis and commercial vehicles in the area. A trucker who takes their attention off the road is slower to react to traffic and is more likely to cause a collision. A Schiller & Hamilton attorney could help to demonstrate that a semi operator was not paying attention in the moments prior to a crash and prove liability for the incident.
Reach out to our office today. Skilled attorneys could provide more information about distracted driving truck accidents in Lancaster and seek the compensation that you deserve.