How Is Fault Determined After a Truck Accident?

How is fault determined after a truck accident in South Carolina? Figuring out who caused a wreck generally involves investigating what happened, looking at official accident reports, and speaking with witnesses.

A South Carolina truck accident lawyer can handle the investigative process on your behalf, demonstrating who caused your collision. Our team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward can handle all your legal needs after a wreck. 

Find out more about how the Thumbs Up Guys can help by calling or completing our online contact form.

How do We Determine Fault for a Truck Accident?

Determining fault for a truck accident requires your attorney to find out who caused the accident through an act of negligence. The process can involve several investigative strategies that may shift depending on your situation. 

In many cases, personal injury lawyers will: 

Get Information from Eye Witnesses

Eyewitnesses can provide first-hand information about who caused a truck accident in South Carolina. Lawyers will contact them and interview them to gather statements that can help show that a trucker:

• Ran a red light or stop sign
• Backed up without checking their blind spots
• Swerved between lanes
• Decided to drive with an unsafe load

Make sure that you get contact information from any witnesses at the scene of your accident so your lawyer can easily find them later. 

Review Your Official Police Report

You should contact the police after any truck accident in South Carolina. Officers will come out to the scene, assess what happened, and file an official report stating what they believe caused the collision. 

The contents of this document can help lawyers and insurance agents officially determine fault for the collision. 

Look for Photo and Video Evidence

Photos taken after the accident can demonstrate who caused a truck accident. Additionally, many streets have surveillance cameras that may capture a collision. Getting this video footage can help determine fault in a truck accident. 

Get Blackbox Information from the Truck

Many commercial truckers have to carry equipment (event data recorders) in their vehicles that records their travel time and some of the actions they take on the road. These records can help establish who caused the truck accident. 

Work with Truck Accident Experts

Finally, your attorney may work with truck accident experts who can go over the facts of the case, using their expertise to determine who caused the wreck. We can discuss all investigative methods when you contact us for help. 

Why do We Look at Fault After a Truck Accident?

Determining fault after a truck accident allows us to pursue the correct party for compensation to cover your losses. Generally, you’ll only receive funds if your attorney can show that someone else owed you a duty of care, violated that duty, and directly caused your losses and injuries.

Therefore, working with a team that has the experience, training, and resources to determine fault can help put you on track to receive fair compensation after your wreck. Your lawyer can also help you avoid common mistakes after a truck wreck. 

Who Determines Fault for a Truck Accident?

Multiple parties can blame one another in the aftermath of a truck accident. Merely claiming that someone else caused the wreck will not establish liability. Instead, your attorney must demonstrate sufficient fault to either the insurance company or the court system. 

It’s important to have a lawyer on your side, as the trucker may try to blame you for the collision to avoid covering the costs of your losses. 

Who Can Cause Truck Accidents in South Carolina?

Fault for truck accidents can rest with several parties. In many cases, we think of the trucker as the responsible party, and drivers may hold liability if they cause the accident by driving recklessly or disobeying traffic laws. 

However, the trucking company may also hold fault for the wreck if it happened during work hours. Additionally, we may seek compensation from the trucking company if the firm hires inexperienced drivers or fails to perform proper maintenance on the truck. 

Finally, some truck accidents occur as a result of defective parts. In these situations, a truck accident lawyer may build a claim against the truck manufacturer. We’ll dig into the facts of your collision to find all potentially responsible parties. 

Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer About Fault for Your Accident

So, how is fault determined after a truck accident in South Carolina? Generally, the process involves a thorough investigation into the events that led to the accident as lawyers gather evidence to support your story of events. 

You can learn more about this process with the Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward. We’re ready to answer your questions when you call or complete our online contact form.