Columbia No-Zone Accidents Lawyers
If a truck driver caused an accident and you were injured because they failed to check their blind spots, contact Goings Law Firm, LLC so we can begin working on your case. We can help you hold the truck driver or trucking company liable for their actions that led to your injuries.
Truck drivers have a greater responsibility on the road, as the immense size of their vehicles can cause serious damage and injury in an accident. Unfortunately, sometimes truck drivers cause accidents when smaller cars are in their no-zones. No-zones are the blind spots around a truck that make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles around them. There’re approximately 20 to 30 feet of space where the driver can’t see if there’s another car behind, in front, or beside them. They must thoroughly check these areas before changing lanes, turning, or merging to ensure they don’t crash into a small car. Most truck accidents occur when drivers are in truck drivers’ no-zones.
Columbia no-zone accident lawyers know that those injured in truck accidents may be facing challenging recoveries, both financially and physically. At Goings Law Firm, LLC, our lawyers are dedicated to helping Columbia residents pursue the funds they need to cover medical expenses and lost wages associated with a no-zone accident injury. Call us at (803) 350-9230 for a free consultation.
Types of No-Zone Accidents
No-zone accidents can occur from nearly every side of a truck when cars are in the blind spots of the truck driver. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the distances of these zones are:
- Front – 20 feet directly in front of the cab
- Back – 30 feet directly behind the trailer
- Left side – One lane extending from the rear of the cab to three-quarters of the length of the trailer
- Right side – Two lanes extending from the front of the cab to just beyond the end of the trailer
If you encounter a commercial truck on the road, you should take certain precautions to keep you and your passengers safe. It’s best that you maintain as much distance between the truck and your car as possible. If you have to pass the truck driver, be sure not to spend too much time in their no-zone. Speed up without exceeding the speed limit and pass them on the left as quickly as possible.
Our Columbia lawyers have taken on the following types of no-zone accident cases:
- Front no-zone
- Rear no-zone
- Side no-zones
If you have suffered from injuries due to a no-zone accident in Columbia, our lawyers can help you take the necessary legal action to seek compensation from the liable truck driver.
Common Causes of No-Zone Truck Accidents
Unfortunately, there are times when you can’t avoid a collision with a commercial truck. The truck driver might make an error or drive recklessly, causing an accident. Blind spot collisions are commonly the result of these actions:
- Taking a wide turn without looking for other vehicles
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Failure to check blind spots before merging or changing lanes
- Driver distractions, such as texting or changing the radio
- Reckless driving, such as braking suddenly or weaving in and out of traffic
Although the driver may have been involved in the accident with you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all their fault. In some cases, their employer could be just as much to blame. Trucking companies must perform thorough background checks on new employees and follow specific federal regulations to keep all motorists safe. The most common forms of negligence by the company that could cause a no-zone accident are:
- Failure to complete a background check
- Inadequate maintenance and repairs on the truck and parts
- Loading cargo improperly onto the trailer
- Exceeding weight and size limits of trucks
- Failure to provide training and supervision
Goings Law Firm, LLC can help you determine if it’s the truck driver or trucking company that’s at fault for the accident.
Common Injuries Suffered in No-Zone Truck Accidents
Blind spot collisions involving commercial trucks are some of the most catastrophic on Columbia roadways. The injuries sustained by the occupants of smaller vehicles can range from minor to life-threatening. The impact between an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer and a 5,000-pound car can be violent. The occupants of passenger cars in these crashes often suffer significant physical harm and even death.
According to statistics, 4,119 people lost their lives in accidents involving large trucks in 2019. Of those fatalities, only 16% were occupants of commercial trucks, while a staggering 67% were occupants of cars and other non-commercial vehicles.
The most common injuries resulting from no-zone truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Disability
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Crushing or amputation injuries
- Nerve damage
- Facial scarring or disfigurement
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
Many victims require extensive medical treatment during their recovery. Medical bills are often expensive, and a lot of our clients can’t afford to pay. You shouldn’t face crushing debt when someone else caused the accident. When you hire Goings Law Firm, LLC, we will work tirelessly to obtain relevant evidence to prove the truck driver or their employer should be held liable. They should be the ones to provide the compensation you need to cover your hospital bills, physical therapy, and other necessary treatment.
Possible Compensation You Can Recover in an Insurance Claim
Federal regulations require trucking companies to purchase liability insurance if their drivers cause an accident resulting in injuries or death to other drivers and passengers. There are minimum coverage limits these companies must carry depending on the truck’s weight and the type of cargo they’re transporting. They are:
- Under 10,001 pounds and non-hazardous freight – $300,000
- Over 10,000 pounds and non-hazardous cargo – $750,000
- Oil and hazardous substances – $1 million
- Other hazardous materials – $5 million
These limits are much higher than the standard auto insurance policy typically purchased by passenger vehicle drivers. That’s because commercial trucks tend to cause worse damage and physical harm. The extensive liability coverage is necessary to compensate for the victim’s losses fully.
You likely suffered a range of economic, physical, and emotional losses due to your injuries. You have medical bills from your ER visit, hospital stay, surgery, and other initial medical care. If your injury requires ongoing appointments, you probably also have bills from physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other treatment.
The at-fault party’s insurance company should provide an adequate settlement, so you’re not forced to pay for anything out-of-pocket.
The most common losses you may be eligible for in a liability claim include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium or companionship (claims for spouses)
Your Columbia no-zone accident lawyer from Goings Law Firm, LLC will review all factors associated with your case to determine a fair monetary value. We can locate crucial evidence that someone else was responsible for your injuries and that their insurance company should provide a full and fair settlement to cover your total losses.
Filing a Lawsuit Following a No-Zone Accident
South Carolina requires that you comply with the statute of limitations if you want to sue the truck driver or trucking company. According to SC statute § 15-3-530, there is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. That means you must initiate a lawsuit within three years of the crash date. Once the deadline passes, you could lose your right to pursue compensation.
Two main exceptions that could pause the three-year timeframe are:
- You were under a legal disability, meaning under 18 years old or declared insane. The clock would not begin again until you turn 18 or gain mental competency.
- The at-fault party left the state for a temporary period. Once they return, the clock would start again.
Lawsuits can be confusing for someone with no experience. It’s often overwhelming trying to take on a case like this without legal representation. Goings Law Firm, LLC knows state laws and statutes that are pertinent in these types of lawsuits. We can handle the legal aspects and can ensure we don’t miss any deadlines in your case.
Consult a No-Zone Accidents Lawyer in Columbia
Those injured in no-zone accidents may feel uncertain about their physical and financial future. Medical expenses, among other costs, can quickly add up and become a serious financial burden. Fortunately, the no-zone accident lawyers at Goings Law Firm, LLC can help you understand your legal rights and may advocate for you to receive the recovery funds you need from liable parties.
If you would like more information about your legal options after your no-zone truck accident, contact our Columbia offices at (803) 350-9230 today.
