(843) 595-8281
(843) 595-8281Truck accidents are on the rise over the past decade, despite vastly increased awareness. Large commercial vehicles still present danger, even with expanded safety laws. Unfortunately, along with increased accidents comes more life-altering injuries and deaths.
If you were hurt in South Carolina as the result of an accident with a big rig due to neglect, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Charleston, SC truck accident lawyers have years of success representing injured individuals and their survivors in South Carolina.
A truck lays on its side after a crash. This common occurrence leaves accident victims with severe injuries.
Were You in an Accident with a Commercial Truck in South Carolina?
We are here to help you after your commercial vehicle accident in Charleston. These vehicles are typically built specifically for moving goods or passengers professionally. However, commercial vehicles can be more than just 18-wheel trucks. They include a wide range of vehicles, such as:
- Semi-trucks
- Box trucks and freight vehicles
- Commercial vans
- Public and private buses
- Some taxi cabs
An accident involving any of these vehicles is a commercial vehicle accident. If you’re injured, your truck accident lawyer in Charleston may be able to file a claim through their commercial auto insurance.
It’s guaranteed that a commercial truck company will have representation to protect their financial interests. Hiring an attorney will keep them from taking advantage of you. We’ll fight to help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
We are here to help those who have been injured in accidents with commercial vehicles. These are vehicles that are built specifically for moving goods or passengers professionally. However, commercial vehicles can be more than just 18-wheel trucks.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident with any of these vehicles, you have been in a commercial vehicle accident. Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately and then call experienced Charleston truck accident attorneys to learn more about filing a claim.
Get a Free Consultation With a Charleston, SC Truck Accident Lawyer
A Charleston truck accident lawyer from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys can help you file your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Call the Thumbs Up Guys today for a free consultation. We can discuss your case and your legal options.
We won’t let you fall for the insurance companies’ tactics. Let us fight to get your family fair compensation so you can move on from your accident.
Getting Legal Help Is Easy
Suffering injuries in a truck accident is incredibly difficult, but getting the legal help you need shouldn’t be. That’s why we make getting help from our law firm as easy as possible!
We’ll Fight for What You Deserve
A truck accident can leave you with serious injuries and serious expenses. Our team can fight for the compensation you deserve for your medical bills and other losses.
No Fees Unless You Get Paid
With The Thumbs Up Guys on your side, you’ll never have to worry about upfront fees or expensive hourly legal bills. We work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t owe us a dime unless we win your case!
We Understand Your Predicament
When you’re suffering from an accident with a careless truck driver or trucking company, all you want is to get well again. That can be tough when you’ve got insurance adjusters bullying you into signing lowball agreements and it seems like everyone is trying to escape blame.
You deserve to be able to focus on getting better without having to navigate complicated legal processes. That’s where The Thumbs Up Guys come in. Our job is to handle your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
When you hire our team, you’ll get a compassionate partner and confidant who cares about seeing that justice is served during this difficult time. We’ll remind the other side just who was really at fault and fight to protect your rights.
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Hurt in a Truck Accident? We Can Help!
Our job is to help you fight for the money you deserve, while you focus on getting better. Put The Thumbs Up Guys on your side today. We’ve got this!
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Truck accident cases can be complicated because there are many potential causes and a number of parties that may share fault, including the driver, trucking company, loading company, and even maintenance crews and parts manufacturers.
Below are some of the most common causes of truck accidents. If your accident happened for one of these reasons or for any reason due to someone else’s carelessness, you have rights!
Reckless Driving
Many truck accidents happen because the driver was distracted, speeding, intoxicated, or overly exhausted from driving for too many hours. In any case, truck drivers who make reckless decisions behind the wheel of these massive vehicles often cause other innocent drivers on the roads to get hurt.
Unsafe Standards
In addition to the truck driver, the trucking companies that employ them can be found responsible for any accidents that their drivers cause. All too often, trucking companies put profits and speed over safety, imposing unrealistic shipment deadlines that force their drivers to decide between their job and safety. Sadly, trucking companies will almost always try to escape liability, claiming the driver was an independent contractor. Don’t fall for it. The law is very clear in situations where the trucking company is partially at fault for an accident, and it’s more often than you might think.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
If a truck is carrying cargo that was improperly loaded, secured, or balanced, it can quickly lead to an accident. This is because shifting cargo can throw off the delicate balance of the truck, causing it to tip over or jackknife if the driver loses control.
Poor Maintenance
Whether the truck is owned by the driver or a company, there is likely an individual or maintenance crew whose job it is to be sure it’s safe to drive. Trucks that are poorly maintained are far more likely to cause an accident. If a truck’s brakes fail or its tires blow out on the highway, for example, this can result in a serious accident and serious injuries.
Malfunctioning Parts
If something mechanically or electronically goes wrong due to a faulty part on the truck, it can cause the driver to lose control. In such a situation, you may have a product liability case on your hands, which takes on its own process that we may be able to help with.
Who Was at Fault for My Accident?
The first — and often the most difficult — question is who was at fault for your accident. When two cars collide, the answer is often clear. As we’ve seen, however, there are several potential parties that can be found at fault in a truck accident case. These can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo company or loading crew
- The maintenance crew
- The manufacturer of any defective parts
There are even others who could come into play, depending on the specific circumstances. These parties will likely all have powerful attorneys and insurance companies on their side who will do whatever they can to avoid paying your claim, even resorting to bullying tactics intended to pressure you into signing away your rights. Don’t fall for their tricks; let The Thumbs Up Guys fight on your behalf for the maximum compensation you’re owed for your injuries and other losses.
FAQs
How Much Is My Case Worth?
Without reviewing the details of your accident, it can be hard to assign it a dollar amount. The settlement you can expect depends on how serious your injuries are and any property damage.
Our clients can attest to our proven results, which include a $4,000,000 settlement for a tractor-trailer collision. Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Charleston, SC can help you obtain compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in South Carolina?
The statute of limitations is a law that governs the time you have to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations on vehicular accidents is three years from the date of the accident, or in the case of a wrongful death, from the date of death.
How Do I Prove Fault?
The ability to prove fault is necessary in most injury cases and the key to obtaining compensation. To prove fault, you must establish several facts. First, that the other party (or parties) had a duty-of-care obligation to you. This part is easy. After all, every driver on the road owes other drivers a duty of care to behave safely. Next, you need to prove that the other party violated this duty, directly causing your accident. Finally, you must prove that the accident was the cause of your injuries. Proving fault in a truck accident case is rarely straightforward, so seeking the help of an experienced attorney will be to your benefit.
What Is Comparative Negligence?
South Carolina is a comparative negligence state, which means that if you are found partially responsible for the accident, your settlement may be reduced by a percentage equal to your responsibility. If, for example, your settlement is worth $100,000 and you are found to be 30% responsible for the accident, you will likely receive 30% less, or $70,000. If the insurance company claims that you’re over 50% responsible, you may not be able to recover compensation at all. That’s why having an experienced attorney is so important in these situations.
The Insurance Company Wants Me to Sign a Statement. Should I?
No! You should never sign anything an insurance adjuster offers you without first speaking to your attorney. You also have the right to refer the insurance company directly to your attorney. The insurer will likely try to get you to sign away your rights to any future compensation. Let our team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys fight to protect your rights and ensure you aren’t taken advantage of by an insurance adjuster.
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