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Injured In A Trucking Accident In South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a traffic collision happens every 4.3 minutes and a person is injured every 11 minutes. Tragically, a fatal car wreck happens every 9.1 hours.
Without knowing someone who has been involved in an accident or being in one yourself, it’s easy to dismiss these statistics as mere numbers, but when you’ve experienced being in a car wreck, it hits home how each number represents a real person with painful and potentially life-changing injuries.
Our experienced and compassionate truck accident lawyers in Greenville, SC, can investigate your accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf — all while you focus on your recovery. And, if you have a strong case and the insurance company refuses to fairly compensate you, we’ll go to trial and fight to get you the payout you deserve.
Contact our South Carolina truck accident attorneys today to start the process with a free, no-obligation case review.
Why Hire Our South Carolina Truck Accident Attorneys For Your Claim
If you’re in an accident, you likely want to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible, but choosing a Greenville truck accident lawyer is not a decision you should rush.
The law firm you choose will become a vital partner in your personal injury claim, so you need to find someone you trust to look after your best interests and get you the compensation you’re owed.
Our truck accident lawyers understand this, which is why we offer a free legal consultation so you can find out if you have a claim and — just as importantly — see if we’re the right fit for you.
We know that every accident is unique and that you need a South Carolina personal injury lawyer who listens, understands the complexities of the law, and can lay out your legal options in a simple way.
The truck accident attorneys at The Clardy Law Firm are Upstate natives who love this state and are honored to serve the community. That’s why we treat you like family, not like an opportunity for a quick settlement. When you choose The Clardy Law Firm for your truck accident claim, you choose a firm that will keep you up to date every step of the way, always be available to answer your questions, and, ultimately, fight to get you maximum compensation.
the most common truck accident injuries
We’ve all seen semi-trucks on South Carolina’s highways. They’re a vital part of the economy and nearly impossible to avoid. Most drivers are used to sharing the road with big rigs, but there’s a reason truck accidents shouldn’t be taken lightly. When semi-trucks get into accidents with standard-size vehicles, the smaller vehicle usually incurs the worst damage. Truck accidents can cause serious damage and loss, including life-altering injuries survivors may never fully recover from and even fatalities. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Cuts, sprains, and bruises
- Internal damage
- Scarring
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident with a semi-truck or other large commercial truck, our South Carolina truck accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. We’ll guide you through the process step-by-step and provide legal support and advice during this difficult time.
Understanding what caused your truck accident can indicate who’s responsible — and who you can claim compensation from. Causes can range from dangerous driving to a blown tire or pothole, but all typically fall into one of three categories:
Truck drivers should be qualified to operate big rigs, but accidents still happen. A truck driver might not be fully trained, or they might drive while distracted, drunk, tired, or under the influence of drugs.
Most truck accidents are caused by driver error. Depending on the circumstances, the truck driver alone might be liable, or they might share fault with their employer — the trucking company.
Commercial truck drivers travel thousands of miles daily, which inevitably means trucks need regular maintenance. Tires can degrade, brake pads can wear down, and windshields can crack or stop working when a driver needs them most. Whether truck parts wear down over time or are defective from the get-go, they can cause an accident at a moment’s notice.
Truck drivers and companies are responsible for checking their vehicles, and manufacturers must meet safety standards. If they fail to do so and it causes a truck accident, they could be liable.
Bad weather conditions like rain, snow, and ice can make it difficult for truckers to drive carefully, leading to truck wrecks.
If a truck driver doesn’t take care by slowing down and learning proper braking techniques to avoid skidding, hydroplaning, or jackknifing, they might be liable.
Sometimes, poor road conditions aren’t weather-related. Obscured signs, fallen trees, and missing guardrails can all cause severe truck accidents.
What Can A Truck Accident Attorney Do For You?
For any personal injury claim to succeed, you need to determine who’s at fault for your truck accident. Our experienced Greenville truck accident attorneys can help you figure out who is liable for the accident — whether it’s the truck driver, the trucking company they work for, or a third party like a parts manufacturer or government agency responsible for maintaining safe road conditions.
Often, the truck driver and the trucking company are to blame, but truck accident claims can quickly become complicated if parties dispute liability or if a truck driver willingly engaged in illegal or reckless behavior, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Your South Carolina truck accident lawyer will be able to advise you on all of your legal options and routes for recovering the maximum possible compensation for your damages and injuries.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After Your Accident And How A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
In South Carolina, the person or party responsible for your truck accident can be pursued for compensation. Often, the insurance company representing this party will want to minimize liability as much as possible and settle quickly and cheaply, so they don’t have to pay a significant sum — even if you’re entitled to more. This means even before you begin the process of looking for a truck accident attorney and claiming compensation, you’ll likely get a phone call from an insurance adjuster — a representative of the insurance company.
When speaking with an insurance adjuster, there are a few key rules to bear in mind:
- Don’t admit fault! The insurance adjuster will ask you questions about how the accident happened and who caused it, but it’s vital not to admit full or even partial fault. Be careful to avoid statements that can be interpreted as an admission of guilt, such as apologizing or admitting you didn’t see the truck driver. Doing so could hurt your truck accident claim. Instead, stick to the facts, such as where the accident happened and who was involved.
- Don’t accept an offer. Early on, the insurance adjuster will make you an offer to settle your claim now. It may even be tempting, especially if you have medical bills to pay or are out of work for the foreseeable future. But most of the time, this offer is unfair. Insurance companies often low-ball settlement offers because they know people are more likely to take immediate money versus taking the time to negotiate. But if you accept the offer now, not only will it be less than you’re entitled to, but you also won’t be able to take any further legal action, such as if your injuries get worse and the settlement doesn’t cover all your bills.
- Know you don’t have to speak to them. You’re under no obligation to speak to an insurance adjuster when they come knocking. One of the benefits of hiring a South Carolina truck accident lawyer is that they can do all of this for you. Be polite to the adjuster, but clearly state that you’ve sought or are seeking legal advice and that all communications and negotiations should go through your attorney.
Our Greenville truck accident lawyers are here to support you, protect your legal rights, and get the justice and compensation you deserve. If you want to see how we can help you, contact our personal injury lawyers today.
Do You Need A Truck Accident Lawyer In Greenville, South Carolina?
Contact our personal injury lawyers in Greenville, SC, today for your free case review and get started on your truck accident claim.
A trucking accident doesn’t just wreck your car — it can also severely impact your life. The toll a truck accident takes on victims can be difficult or even insurmountable without an experienced trucking accident lawyer on your side. A mistake in your trucking accident claim could cost you the compensation you need to recover, but we’re here to help.
Our experienced South Carolina truck accident lawyers at The Clardy Law Firm can get you the compensation you deserve for your truck accident. Whether you’re battling against an at-fault truck driver or a third party, our truck accident lawyers will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing and recovery.
Trucking Accident FAQs
Truck accidents in South Carolina are a lot more common than you think. Unfortunately, this means that injuries and deaths caused by truck accidents are also common. If you or a loved one receives an injury as a result of an accident involving a semi-truck, we encourage you to contact a truck accident lawyer right away.
Our truck accident attorneys don’t just file paperwork and then leave you in the dark. We’re your partner in your claim, working the way that best suits you. You might prefer to be hands-off and leave your claim to us, only wanting to be updated when an offer is on the table, or you might have plenty of questions and want to know exactly where your claim is at. Whatever your preference, we make the process work for you. We also have experienced investigators, truck accident reconstructionists, and medical experts on hand to determine what caused your accident, who’s responsible, and the impact of your injuries on your life.
Of course, we’re also dedicated to getting you a fair payout that covers your bills and compensates you for your pain and suffering. Our trucking accident lawyers are all skilled negotiators who understand the tricks insurance companies pull to try to reduce liability, and we won’t let it happen.
Truck accident lawsuits are more complex than any other type of accident, not just because they often cause more severe injuries but also because multiple parties can be involved.
If a tire blows, who’s responsible? Your first guess might be the manufacturer of the tire, but it could also be the truck driver, the trucking company, a mechanic, or a combination of these, depending on who is responsible for maintaining the truck and ensuring its safety.
If cargo comes loose or is too heavy and breaks the truck hitch, causing the truck to tip over or jackknife, is the cargo company responsible for not securing the load, or is the trucker responsible for not checking it before they headed out on the road?
If a truck driver causes an accident because they’re driving while fatigued, it might be a simple case of driver error where the trucker is responsible because they failed to pull over and rest. More likely, though, the trucking company might share some liability, especially if they encouraged the driver to stay on the road to meet a deadline.
Our truck accident lawyers can conduct a full investigation to determine all parties that might be liable and who to pursue for compensation.
Truck accidents are happening more often, especially in South Carolina, and the larger the truck, the more serious the accident.
But what’s causing them?
There are a variety of factors to consider. Sometimes, it’s caused by drivers being reckless or negligent. Other times, an auto defect is to blame, or a cargo company is liable for loads coming loose. Sometimes, a third driver might even be responsible.
If you’ve been in a semi-truck accident, one of your most pressing questions is likely, “How much compensation could I get?”. Every accident is unique — two people in the same truck accident will often sustain different injuries. One person might walk away with a few cuts and bruises, while the other suffers a spinal cord injury that requires lengthy treatment and rehabilitation. Each of these will result in different damages — from medical treatment bills and vehicle repair costs to lost wages and pain and suffering. That means there’s no “average” amount of truck accident compensation victims are entitled to, but as a general rule, the more severe the accident and your injuries, the more compensation you’re entitled to. Our South Carolina truck accident lawyers can look at your case and tell you how much you might be entitled to based on the strength of evidence and our experience successfully recovering compensation for our clients. |
According to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, truck accident fatalities involving tractor-trucks rose 32.7% between 2013 and 2017. For crashes involving other types of trucks, fatalities increased by a staggering 66.7%. The primary contributing factors in these accidents were disregarding traffic signs, speeding, not yielding right of way, and driving under the influence.
The key takeaway from the data is this:
Many of these fatal collisions are completely avoidable.
Losing a loved one in any circumstance is devastating, but it’s particularly heart-wrenching when it could have been avoided. If your loved one has tragically died in a truck accident due to the negligent or reckless actions of another, we can help you get justice and compensation.
Truck Accident Blog:
- What to Do If You’re in a Hit-and-Run Accident in South Carolina
- Aggressive and Reckless Driving in South Carolina: What You Need to Know
- South Carolina Tops the Charts for Speeding Fatalities: A Closer Look
- What to Do after a Car Accident in South Carolina
- Why Are Witness Statements Important in a Car Accident Claim?
- The Complete Guide to Blind Spot Safety: Why Blind Spot Accidents Happen and How to Avoid Them
- Uninsured Motorist in South Carolina: Is It Worth Suing an Uninsured Driver for Damages?
- Who Is Responsible in a Multi-Car Accident?
- What Are the Signs of Delayed Injury after a Car Accident?
- Fender Bender: What to Do after a Minor Accident
What Our Clients Have To Say About Our South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers
