The Most Common Truck Driver Errors in South Carolina

Truck drivers play an important role in keeping our supply chains moving, but when they make mistakes behind the wheel, the consequences can be devastating. Commercial trucks are massive vehicles that require extra care and attention, and even a small driver error can lead to a serious accident.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in South Carolina, you may already know the pain and confusion that follow. Understanding the most common truck driver errors can help you recognize what went wrong and how to protect your legal rights. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, our experienced South Carolina truck accident attorneys have seen the life-changing impact these accidents can have on victims and their families. Today, we’ve put together a guide to some of the most frequent truck driver mistakes that lead to serious crashes.

Why truck driver errors are so dangerous

Unlike passenger cars, commercial trucks are much larger, heavier, and harder to maneuver. They need more time to stop, have large blind spots, and can cause catastrophic damage in a collision. When truck driver errors happen, the people in smaller vehicles usually suffer the worst injuries. Truck drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and follow both state and federal trucking regulations. When they fail to do this, they can be held legally responsible for the harm they cause.

Common mistakes South Carolina truck drivers make

Let’s break down some of the most common truck driver errors we see on South Carolina roads.

Driving while fatigued

Truck driver fatigue is one of the most well-known and dangerous issues in the trucking industry. Long hours behind the wheel can cause drivers to become drowsy, lose focus, or even fall asleep. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict Hours of Service (HOS) rules that limit how long a truck driver can operate their vehicle without a break. Unfortunately, some drivers or trucking companies may ignore these rules to meet tight delivery deadlines and schedules.

Fatigued driving can lead to slower reaction times, poor decision-making, lane drifting, and falling asleep at the wheel.

Fatigue is often just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, our attorneys can investigate whether driver fatigue played a role.

Distracted driving

Just like other drivers, truck drivers can become distracted on the road. But when the driver of an 80,000-pound truck is distracted, the results can be catastrophic. Common distractions include the following:

• Texting or using a smartphone
• Adjusting GPS devices
• Eating or drinking
• Looking at paperwork
• Talking to dispatchers

Distracted truck drivers may not notice slowing traffic, road hazards, or vehicles around them until it’s too late. Even a two-second glance away from the road can lead to a serious crash.

Speeding or driving too fast for conditions

Speeding is one of the most dangerous truck driver mistakes because commercial trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Driving too fast makes it almost impossible for a truck driver to react in time to changing road conditions. Truck drivers may also drive too fast for weather, traffic, or road surface conditions, even if they’re technically within the speed limit. Examples include:

• Driving too fast on wet or icy roads
• Speeding through construction zones
• Driving aggressively in heavy traffic

Speeding increases the force of impact in a crash, making injuries more severe.

Failing to check blind spots

Tractor-trailers have large blind spots on all four sides, often called “No-Zones.” When truck drivers fail to properly check their blind spots before changing lanes or merging, they can easily crash into nearby cars. Some truck driver problems related to blind spots include:

• Not using mirrors effectively
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Cutting off smaller vehicles

Truck drivers are trained to be aware of their blind spots, but when they get careless or rushed, these mistakes happen far too often.

Improper loading or securing cargo

Cargo that isn’t loaded or secured correctly can shift during transit, causing a truck to become unbalanced or roll over. In some cases, cargo can spill onto the road, creating a hazard for other drivers. Common cargo-related truck driver errors include:

• Overloading the truck
• Failing to evenly balance weight
• Not securing cargo with the proper straps, chains, or tarps
• Driving with loose or improperly sealed loads

Shifting cargo can cause jackknife accidents, rollovers, and falling debris that can lead to deadly crashes.

Following too closely

Tailgating is dangerous for any driver, but it’s especially risky when a large truck is involved. Because trucks need much more stopping distance, following too closely often results in rear-end collisions that cause serious injuries. Truck drivers may follow too closely because:

• They’re in a hurry to meet deadlines
• They misjudge stopping distances
• They aren’t paying close attention

Rear-end truck accidents frequently result in whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries for the people in smaller cars.

Poor vehicle maintenance

Truck drivers and their companies are required to perform regular inspections and maintenance on their vehicles. Skipping these important safety checks can lead to:

• Brake failures
• Tire blowouts
• Steering issues
• Malfunctioning lights

Some truck drivers knowingly drive trucks that are in poor condition because they don’t want to lose time or face delays. When a truck accident happens due to poor maintenance, both the driver and the trucking company may share responsibility.

Driving under the influence

Sadly, some truck drivers make the reckless decision to drive under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications that impair their ability to operate a truck safely. The FMCSA holds truck drivers to strict drug and alcohol testing standards, but impaired truck driving accidents still happen. Truck drivers under the influence often:

• Struggle to maintain their lane
• React slowly to traffic
• Cause high-speed, severe crashes

Driving under the influence is one of the most dangerous and inexcusable truck driver errors.

Inadequate training or experience

Operating a large commercial truck requires skill, training, and experience. Drivers who aren’t properly trained are more likely to:

• Misjudge stopping distances
• Take turns too quickly
• Lose control of the truck
• Fail to respond to emergencies

Sometimes, trucking companies put inexperienced drivers on the road without enough training or supervision, which can lead to tragic accidents.

Violating traffic laws

Basic traffic violations by truck drivers can have deadly consequences. These can include:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Illegal lane changes
• Failure to yield
• Ignoring posted weight limits

Truck drivers have a responsibility to follow all traffic laws, just like everyone else. When they fail to do so, they put other drivers at risk of serious accidents.

How our South Carolina truck accident lawyers can help

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we understand how overwhelming a truck accident can be. If you’ve been seriously injured because of a truck driver’s mistake, you deserve answers and accountability. Our South Carolina truck accident lawyers can:

• Investigate the accident thoroughly
• Identify the truck driver’s errors and the trucking company’s liability
• Work with accident reconstruction experts
• Review driving logs, maintenance records, and black box data
• Handle all negotiations with insurance companies
• Fight for full compensation for your injuries and losses

Truck accident cases typically involve complex regulations, multiple responsible parties, and aggressive insurance defense teams. We have the experience and resources to stand up for you.

What to do if you’ve been hurt by a truck driver’s mistake

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, here are some immediate steps to protect your health and your claim:

• Get medical attention right away.
• Call the police and file an accident report.
• Document the accident scene if you’re able.
• Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice.
• Contact an experienced South Carolina truck accident attorney as soon as possible.

Your quick action can help preserve important evidence that may prove the truck driver’s error.

Truck driver errors can leave victims with life-altering injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and months or even years of recovery. You shouldn’t have to face this process alone. If you or someone you love has been injured by a negligent truck driver, contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for your rights and help you pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation. Our South Carolina truck accident lawyers have offices in or near Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, and Rock Hill.