A semi-truck weighs about 35,000 pounds when it’s empty. It can be over 80,000 pounds when loaded. When these vehicles get into accidents, the generated force is far greater and often causes severe injuries compared to other accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a truck wreck, you don’t want to leave your compensation to chance. You need a truck accident lawyer in Johns Island from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward who knows how to fight for what you’re owed – and will stand with you all the way to the end.
Truck Insurance Limits Are Much Higher
Trucks are required by state law and by the FMCSA to carry insurance. Any truck that works in-state only with a weight of over 10,000 pounds must carry, at a minimum, $300,000 of liability insurance. For a hazmat truck, the minimum is $5,000,000!
If the truck crosses state lines, the federal government also requires a liability limit of $750,000-$1 million. Unlike a lot of smaller auto accidents, there’s rarely a worry that an insurance policy cap will limit your compensation.
Sometimes, an injured victim needs to take a truck case to trial to get the full compensation they need. Take a look at some of the past results we’ve been able to achieve for our clients. Your case could be a high-value case like those, but we cannot tell until we’ve heard your story.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Johns Island, call (843) 380-8350
What Raises the Value of My Truck Accident Case?
Whenever we approach an insurance company with a claim, we have to justify the costs we ask for through evidence. The foundation of the claim is all the economic damages you’ve experienced. The more expensive your bills and losses are, the more compensation you can receive.
Above and beyond that, there are non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and others that don’t have a price tag. One of our tasks is to come to an agreement about how to cover these costs fairly, whether through a lump sum or through daily payments until you’re made whole again.
Rarely, there are some instances where the negligent party is so egregious the courts levy a punishment fine. This is called punitive damages. If the court awards these to you, they get added to your final settlement amount as a bonus.
Johns Island Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (843) 380-8350
What Lowers the Value of My Truck Accident Case?
When you hire a truck accident lawyer in Johns Island, you’ll receive legal advice on what to do while you wait for your case to finish. Some of this advice keeps you from putting your settlement at risk.
Follow your lawyer’s advice and your doctor’s instructions for care. If you don’t, you could see your compensation lowered because you could give the other side evidence to use against you.
For example, if you’re given a neck brace to wear and you’re caught not wearing it, it’s easy for an insurer to argue you’re not as injured as you say. Once you get painted as a liar, it’s much harder to justify your other claims.
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About Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
Another factor that could lower the value of your claim is comparative negligence. If the insurer can argue that you shared some of the blame in the accident, your final award will get lowered by that amount.
This is usually a percentage. In South Carolina, as long as you are under 50% responsible for an accident, you can claim compensation. Higher percentages put you at-fault and, thus, you would be the one paying.
If you win, but are found partially negligent, your final award is reduced by the percentage of fault you have. If you’re 10% at fault, you lose 10% of the award. This is another thing your truck accident lawyer will try to minimize when we make our claim.
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Find Out if You Have a Case – Call MDSW Today
Our Johns Island truck accident lawyers can tell you if you have a case with one free consultation. The Thumbs Up Guys make it easy to get the help you need after a truck accident in Johns Island. We’re not afraid of making big claims against commercial insurance companies.
To get your free case evaluation, contact us by phone or through the form on our website. One of our team members will schedule an appointment for your consultation. We look forward to hearing your story.
Call or text (843) 380-8350 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
