Logging truck accidents cause devastating injuries and life-changing consequences for victims and their families. These massive vehicles—often weighing 80,000 pounds or more when fully loaded—create catastrophic damage when they collide with passenger vehicles. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a logging truck accident, a logging truck accident lawyer at Evans Moore, LLC can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our Georgetown-based team has recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients, and we’re ready to fight for your rights.
Why Choose Evans Moore, LLC for Your Logging Truck Accident Case
When you hire Evans Moore, LLC, you get more than just legal representation—you get a team of award-winning trial lawyers who understand the complexities of trucking accidents. Our founding partners, Scott C. Evans and James B. Moore III, have handled cases as a team since 2010 and bring decades of combined experience to your case.
Both attorneys previously worked for Federal Court and State Court trial judges, giving them insider knowledge of how the legal system works. This background allows us to anticipate insurance company tactics and build stronger cases for our clients. We’ve earned consecutive recognition as Super Lawyers and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, and our track record speaks for itself. Our firm has achieved top 10 jury verdicts in South Carolina multiple times (2014, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2023) and secured one of the top 25 highest jury verdicts in the entire United States.
We handle trucking accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case or reach a settlement. This approach ensures that anyone can access high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. When you work with Evans Moore, LLC, both founding partners handle your case as a team, giving you access to their combined expertise at every stage of the legal process.
How Logging Truck Accidents Happen
Understanding what causes logging truck accidents helps explain why these crashes are so serious. Logging trucks face unique challenges on the road, and negligence in several areas can lead to devastating collisions.
Overloading and improper cargo securing represent major accident causes. Logging trucks must transport heavy loads of timber, and when companies overload vehicles or fail to secure cargo properly, logs can shift during transit. This shifting cargo can cause the truck to jackknife, roll over, or lose control entirely. Driver fatigue also plays a significant role in logging truck accidents. Many drivers work long hours to meet delivery deadlines, and exhausted drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment. Inadequate training compounds this problem—some drivers lack proper certification or training for handling these massive vehicles.
Equipment failure and poor maintenance create additional hazards. Logging trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure brakes, tires, and steering systems function properly. When trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, mechanical failures can occur at critical moments. Speeding and reckless driving increase accident risk significantly. Drivers who exceed safe speeds or drive aggressively cannot control these heavy vehicles effectively, especially on curves or in bad weather. Distracted driving—from phones, navigation systems, or other distractions—takes a driver’s attention away from the road at crucial moments.
Common Injuries from Logging Truck Accidents
The sheer size and weight of logging trucks mean that accidents involving these vehicles produce severe injuries. Victims often suffer multiple injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
- Traumatic brain injuries occur frequently in logging truck accidents. The force of impact can cause the brain to move within the skull, resulting in concussions, contusions, or diffuse axonal injury. These injuries can cause permanent cognitive changes, memory problems, and personality changes.
- Spinal cord and back injuries represent another common consequence. Victims may experience herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or complete spinal cord damage that results in partial or total paralysis. These injuries often require surgery and ongoing physical therapy.
- Amputation injuries happen when limbs become trapped or crushed in the accident. Victims lose fingers, hands, arms, legs, or feet, requiring prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal organ damage can occur from blunt force trauma, causing bleeding, organ failure, or the need for emergency surgery.
- Broken bones and fractures are nearly universal in serious logging truck accidents, and some victims suffer multiple fractures that require surgical repair and months of recovery.
- Burn injuries may result if the truck catches fire or if victims come into contact with hot engine components.
- Soft tissue injuries, including torn muscles and ligaments, cause pain and limit mobility even after other injuries heal.
Determining Liability in Logging Truck Accidents
Logging truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, which makes determining fault more complex than in typical car accidents. Our log truck accident lawyer team investigates thoroughly to identify everyone responsible for your injuries.
- The truck driver bears responsibility if their negligence caused the accident. This includes violations like speeding, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, or failing to maintain control of the vehicle.
- The trucking company itself may be liable for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to provide adequate training, or pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules that encourage speeding and fatigue. Companies also bear responsibility for failing to maintain their vehicles properly.
- Maintenance contractors and cargo loaders can be held liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. Improper cargo loading or securing can cause loads to shift, and poor maintenance can cause mechanical failures.
- Vehicle manufacturers may be responsible if a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing caused or contributed to the accident.
- Insurance companies sometimes bear liability if they failed to properly investigate claims or acted in bad faith.
Federal regulations govern the trucking industry, and violations of these regulations often indicate negligence. Our attorneys investigate whether the driver or company violated hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, or cargo-securing standards under 49 CFR Part 393 (specifically § 393.116 for log securement). These federal rules dictate exactly how many tie-downs must be used and how logs must be stacked to prevent shifting. We gather evidence, including accident scene photos, witness statements, police reports, truck maintenance records, driver logs, and expert analysis, to build a strong case proving liability.
Compensation You May Recover
Logging truck accident victims can recover several types of compensation, depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the accident.
Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims. This includes emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. We pursue compensation for both past medical bills and future medical expenses you’ll need throughout your life.
Lost wages and lost earning capacity represent another major category of damages. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for the income you’ve lost. If your injuries cause permanent disability that reduces your earning capacity, we fight for compensation reflecting the income you’ll lose over your lifetime.
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional trauma you’ve experienced. Permanent disability damages account for lasting changes to your quality of life, mobility, and independence. In cases where a logging truck accident causes death, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims to recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and compensation for their loss.
Most logging truck accident cases settle before trial, but we’re prepared to take your case to court if necessary. Our trial experience means insurance companies know we won’t accept lowball offers. We’ve recovered $465,000 and $818,000 in trucking accident settlements, and we pursue maximum compensation for every client. View our case results to see examples of verdicts and settlements we’ve secured for injured clients.
What to Do After a Logging Truck Accident
Taking the right steps immediately after a logging truck accident protects your health and strengthens your legal case.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days after an accident. Getting prompt medical care creates a documented record of your injuries, which is crucial for your claim. Call the police to report the accident and request an official police report. Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, the accident location, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.
Preserve evidence by keeping all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment. Don’t discuss the accident on social media or with anyone except your attorney. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing at the scene, as these statements can be used against you later. Don’t provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies often use recorded statements to minimize claims.
Contact Evans Moore, LLC as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner we get involved, the better we can preserve evidence and investigate your case. We’ll handle all communication with insurance companies and the other party’s attorneys, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a logging truck accident claim in South Carolina?
South Carolina law gives you three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, don’t wait that long. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies move quickly to minimize claims. Contact Evans Moore, LLC immediately after your accident.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence rule under SC Code § 15-38-15. You can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your settlement or verdict will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, you’ll recover 80% of your damages. Our attorneys work to minimize your liability and maximize your recovery.
How much does it cost to hire Evans Moore, LLC?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case or reach a settlement. Our fees come from a percentage of your recovery, ensuring that cost never prevents you from getting quality legal representation.
How long does a logging truck accident case take?
Most cases settle within several months to a year, but complex cases may take longer. Factors affecting the timeline include the severity of your injuries, the complexity of liability, and whether the insurance company cooperates. We’ll keep you updated at every step and discuss settlement options as they arise.
What evidence do I need for my case?
Strong cases include clear proof of the other party’s fault, consistent medical treatment records, witness statements, police reports, photos or videos from the accident scene, and evidence of damages like medical bills and lost income. The earlier you contact us, the better we can preserve and gather evidence.
Can I recover compensation if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Yes. Even if the driver is an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable under certain circumstances. We investigate the relationship between the driver and the company to determine liability. Sometimes multiple parties share responsibility for your injuries.
What makes a logging truck accident case different from a regular car accident?
Logging truck accidents involve federal regulations, massive weight differences, and often multiple liable parties. These cases require specialized knowledge of trucking industry standards, federal safety requirements, and the unique hazards logging trucks create. Our experience handling trucking accidents gives us the expertise needed to maximize your recovery.
Contact Evans Moore, LLC for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries in a logging truck accident, don’t face the insurance company alone. Evans Moore, LLC offers free consultations with our award-winning attorneys. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options without any obligation.
Call (843) 995-5000 today to schedule your free consultation. Our Georgetown office is located at 121 Screven Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, and we also serve clients from our Charleston office. We’re here to help you recover the compensation you deserve and get your life back on track.
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