Did you get hurt in an accident with a large commercial vehicle in Columbia, South Carolina? You can take steps to secure compensation for your losses in this situation by working with a Columbia truck accident attorney.
Our Columbia personal injury lawyer at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, LLC, can step in to handle all your legal needs. We use our experience and legal know-how to help clients like you. You can learn more about how much your case may be worth and how we can determine liability during a free consultation.
Can You Secure Damages After a Columbia Truck Accident?
You may have the chance to secure compensation to cover your losses after a truck accident in Columbia. Generally, you can legally seek damages if someone else’s negligence led to your losses.
Our personal injury lawyers establish negligence by showing that:
- Another party owed you a duty of care
- The other party failed to uphold their duty
- The party’s actions led directly to your injuries and losses
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there can be over 500,000 truck accidents yearly. We understand the potential causes of these accidents and can help if one affected your family.
What Damages Can You Receive From a Columbia Truck Accident?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), around 107,000 large trucks got involved in injury crashes in 2020. These accidents often cause more damage than collisions involving other vehicles due to the larger size of commercial trucks.
A collision could leave you with injuries like broken bones, concussions, internal bleeding, and even a loss of life or wrongful death. In these situations, you may require extensive medical care. A truck accident lawyer in Columbia can help you secure compensation to cover the costs for your:
- Emergency medical care
- Time in a hospital
- Medical tests and procedures
- Medications and rehabilitation
Additionally, your lawyer may bring you damages to cover your vehicle repairs, time off at work, pain, and suffering. Find out more by reaching out to us for assistance.
How Much Compensation Do You Receive Following a Truck Accident?
The damages associated with your accident can vary. Your lawyer can review all the losses caused by your accident to help you secure funds to cover these expenses. You can reach out to us to discuss the available damages in your situation.
How Do Columbia Truck Accident Lawyers Establish Liability?
It’s essential to establish liability for truck accidents in Columbia. Liability determines who caused your accident and controls whether or not you receive compensation to cover your losses. Our truck accident attorneys look into fault for the collision by:
- Interviewing all witnesses who saw the collision
- Visiting the scene of the accident
- Getting a copy of your police record
- Working with truck accident specialists
We focus on assessing the specific causes of your accident, which can vary. In some cases, these collisions occur because drivers:
- Fail to stop at red lights or stop signs
- Back up without checking their blind spots
- Tailgate other drivers
- Do not properly secure their loads
However, the trucking company may also cause an accident by performing improper maintenance on a vehicle or hiring improperly trained drivers. Finally, truck manufacturers sometimes cause accidents by selling vehicles with dangerous defects.
What if You Were Partially at Fault for the Collision?
South Carolina uses comparative negligence laws, meaning that you may receive some compensation even if you were partially at fault for your truck accident. However, in this situation, you receive a smaller amount of compensation for your losses.
Sometimes, insurance agents claim that you were partially at fault, even if you had nothing to do with the accident. They use this strategy to try to reduce your compensation. A truck accident lawyer can step in to support you, countering these strategies on your behalf.
How Much Do Columbia Truck Accident Attorneys Charge?
Columbia truck accident lawyers do not have to charge a set amount for their services. Instead, they charge different rates depending on their experience and the size of their law firm. You can generally request information about pricing when you contact a law firm for a free consultation.
Remember that many truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not have to immediately pay legal fees. Instead, you only pay these fees once your lawyer resolves your claim.
Do You Have to Work With a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Some drivers want to avoid legal fees and consider handling a truck accident claim independently. However, this leaves them facing powerful trucking companies and their insurance team without any backup.
While you can handle your accident without legal assistance, you could leave money on the table in this situation. Lawyers focus on all your losses and:
- Answer all your legal questions
- Take over communication with insurance agents
- Build a solid claim for you
- Help you meet important deadlines
- Go over all offers from the insurance company
You can count on a truck accident lawyer to handle your legal needs while you focus on your recovery. Lawyers also help you avoid common mistakes after truck accidents.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After Your Truck Accident?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina generally gives you three years to move forward with your case. After this period expires, you lose the chance to file an insurance claim for the accident. Cases involving multiple parties can be complex, so it’s best to speak to a lawyer sooner than later to start building a claim.
Speak to a Lawyer After a Columbia Truck Accident
You can take charge of your future following a collision with a Columbia truck accident lawyer. Our team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, LLC, provides personalized care for drivers in your situation. We can review your options and help you move forward today.
Find out more about our services by calling us or completing our online contact form.