What is a Truck Driver’s Duty of Care in South Carolina?
Every motorist on every road in South Carolina accepts an immense responsibility to the safety of everyone with whom they share the roadway. In legal terms, this is a duty of care. Because truck drivers are professional drivers, they bear an even greater responsibility for safety. When they fail to uphold this duty of care, it can lead to life-threatening truck accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident that was caused by the trucker’s negligence, our experienced Charleston truck accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm are here to help.
Truck Accidents in Charleston
Charleston experiences heavy traffic nearly around the clock and has several corridors for port-bound freight that are closely associated with dangerous truck accidents. Most truck accident lawsuits in Charleston are heard in the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas. Skilled legal guidance is always in your best interest.
Truck Drivers Have an Immense Responsibility
State and federal laws regulate the duty of care truckers must uphold.
Before Getting Behind the Wheel: Training and Licensing Requirements
Operating a big rig is far more complicated than driving a car, and the weight differential makes truck accidents some of the deadliest out there. To operate a commercial truck, drivers must have the proper training and must carry a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
This breaks down further into the training required for the type of truck the driver operates, including knowledge and skill requirements. Ultimately, truckers must understand the rules and regulations that apply to the trucking industry and follow them. These break down into primary categories like the following:
- Engaging in safe operations
- Maintaining safe control over the rig
- Making the adjustments necessary in the face of extreme driving conditions
- Knowing how and when to implement emergency driving maneuvers
- Knowing and implementing the required vehicle inspection procedures
Driving Safely
Driving an 18-wheeler safely requires effective handling of the massive machine in response to whatever is encountered on the road. This includes protecting other drivers and their passengers and always driving defensively.
Safety basics include all the following:
- Following all hours of service requirements, which can be difficult in the face of competing expectations
- Ensuring driver safety, which includes being healthy enough to drive safely, having enough sleep, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Following all the rules of the road
- Taking the immense size and weight of the rig into careful account behind the wheel
- Checking all relevant blind spots before changing lanes or leaving the road
Our Experienced Charleston Truck Accident Lawyers Are Standing By to Help
Our knowledgeable Charleston truck accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm are committed to skillfully advocating for your case’s best possible resolution, in support of your rights. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling our firm at 843-552-6011 today.