Attorney Michael Melonakos is the founder of The Melonakos Law Firm, where he concentrates his practice on personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, and more. The law firm’s efforts have secured more than $50 million for injured people.

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At The Melonakos Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina, we are dedicated to recovering maximum compensation for our clients and have recovered more than $50 million to date. We maintain a small caseload, so we can provide the personal attention your case deserves. We only litigate personal injury cases and will not hesitate to go to trial if necessary to protect your interests.  We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we win.

Contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer if you have been in a collision with a tractor-trailer.

Why Do You Need a Semi-truck Accident Lawyer in Greenville, SC?

Tractor-trailer accidents are complex cases involving federal regulations and multiple potentially responsible parties. Our experienced Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer knows how to investigate a tractor-trailer wreck, secure and preserve evidence, work with expert witnesses when a case calls for them, and prepare and present your case. We can negotiate skillfully with insurance companies on your behalf and fight for your rights in court if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.

Types of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Greenville, SC

Tractor-trailers are common on America’s roadways and cause great devastation when they are involved in wrecks. Common types of tractor-trailer accidents include:

  • Jackknife: When the driver of a large truck brakes hard and fast, it can cause the truck to jackknife. The trailer swings outward, creating a 90-degree angle to the cab of the truck.
  • Brake failure accidents: When a truck’s brakes malfunction, the driver may be unable to slow down or stop, putting everyone on the road at serious risk.
  • Rollover: A tractor-trailer can slide and roll over, taking other motorists with it, when the driver loses control of the vehicle.
  • Wide turns: Swinging turn crashes occur when a truck driver swings left to make a wide right turn, colliding with vehicles to the right.
  • Underrides: When a large truck stops suddenly, a much smaller vehicle following behind can become lodged underneath the trailer.
  • Lost loads: Freight that is improperly loaded and secured can fall out of a tractor-trailer, endangering nearby motorists and causing multi-vehicle accidents, including Greenville car accidents.
  • Rear-end: Because of its size and weight, a tractor-trailer that rear-ends a passenger vehicle can cause catastrophic injuries or death.
  • Blind spot: Large commercial trucks have significant blind spots. This puts motorists in adjacent lanes in danger of being hit, crushed, or forced off the road.

Logging trucks present unique dangers on Greenville roads. If you were hurt in one of these crashes, visit our Greenville logging truck accident lawyer page to learn more.

Causes and Injuries from Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Greenville

The primary causes of tractor-trailer accidents often include:

  • Driver error or negligence
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Equipment failure
  • Improper loading of cargo
  • Inclement weather

Injuries sustained in a collision with a tractor-trailer are likely to be serious for passenger vehicle occupants. Common injuries include:

Location matters, too. Truck crashes concentrate on a few high-risk Greenville highways, including I-85, I-385, and Woodruff Road.

Who is liable?

Liability for damages in a tractor-trailer accident depends on who or what caused the commercial truck accident in Greenville. If the wreck resulted from truck driver negligence, poor vehicle maintenance, equipment failure, or improper cargo loading, the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties may be responsible for damages.

Talk to our Experienced Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At The Melonakos Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina, we have a former insurance defense attorney on our team. This provides us with insight into the workings of the insurance process and a distinct advantage for our clients. Our truck accident lawyers in Greenville, SC, are dedicated to advocating for individuals injured through the negligence of others. Contact us as soon as possible if you have been hurt in a tractor-trailer wreck.