South Carolina Has More Trucks on the Road than Ever
South Carolina is booming. The population increased by 35% between 1990 and 2012. The state’s GDP increased by 53% in the same period. While this is great news for residents, it comes at a high cost. Total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the state have increased by 43%, totaling 49 billion miles in 2012.
According to TRIP, a non-profit transportation safety group, “Nearly half of major roads and highways in South Carolina have pavement surfaces in poor condition, providing a rough ride and costing motorists in the form of additional vehicle operating costs. The share of the state’s major roads in poor condition has increased significantly since 2008.”
More business means more commercial trucks
In addition to failing roadways, South Carolina’s economic boom has significantly increased the amount of commercial truck traffic. No less than 84% of goods shipped from sites in South Carolina travel by truck. In combination with crumbling roadways and the generally poor condition of bridges, roads, and highways, this is a recipe for disaster.
Big rigs, or tractor-trailers, pose a significant hazard to other drivers on the road. The trucks are difficult to maneuver, have poor sightlines, and are difficult to stop. Their sheer size and mass makes a collision extremely dangerous. In nearly every situation, a collision with a brick wall is safer than a collision with a big rig.
When a car and big rig collide, the results are often devastating to the smaller vehicle’s occupants. You can suffer serious and devastating injuries, including but not limited to:
- Spinal cord injury leading to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury resulting in permanent disability
- Broken bones and fractures
- Lacerations and permanent scarring
- Loss of vision from glass and metal debris
- Crushing injuries requiring amputation
- Internal organ and soft tissue damage
- Blood poisoning and sepsis from puncture wounds
Big trucks are dangerous mostly because of the conditions that truck drivers are forced to work under. Tired drivers speed to meet deadlines. Tired drivers are easily distracted, and when a distracted operator is driving a poorly maintained truck, accidents are inevitable.
If you were injured in a trucking accident in South Carolina, you may quickly feel overwhelmed by the insurance company red tape. Medical bills can add up quickly. You may face a mountain of confusing paperwork. You don’t have to deal with the accident on your own. Demand justice. Expect more. Contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, and schedule a free case evaluation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you get your life back on track.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
Read more about S. Randall Hood