Georgetown Truck Accident Lawyer

The commercial trucking industry keeps our nation’s economy alive. Unfortunately, though, those large and heavy vehicles can often be dangerous on the roadways. When a smaller vehicle gets into an accident with one, the results are rarely good for the lighter passenger car.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, we can help. Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward has truck accident lawyers in Georgetown ready to assist you with making a claim against the truck company’s insurer.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

There are three reasons why truck accidents are so dangerous to other drivers. The most important is the weight of the truck. Physics and the force equation tell us that the force of a crash increases with both mass and acceleration. Instead of bouncing back, like in a car crash, a truck crash can be like ramming a building.

The second reason is the size of some of these trucks. Semi-truck drivers have to take wide turns and need more space to maneuver. They’re allowed to alter certain road rules, like turning from the second lane over, for clearance. A smaller vehicle can get trapped easily if they’re not paying attention.

The final reason is the height of trailers. Depending on the size of your vehicle, your front bumper can slide under the trailer. You could end up smashing windshield-first into the edge of the trailer. The results are quite often fatal in this kind of crash.

Possible Damages You Can Collect in a Truck Accident Claim

Like all personal injury cases, you have the chance to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. In certain truck accident cases, you may also be eligible to recover punitive damages.

Truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers. If they were doing something especially negligent, like driving drunk or failing to maintain their truck, the court could award you additional money as a punishment to the trucking company.

These punitive damages are one way you can get the most value out of your injury claim, but punitive damages are not a guarantee. Your lawyer will have to persuade the court that they should apply to your case. It’s not always worth it to go to trial.

How Much does a Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgetown Charge?

Personal injury attorneys bill their clients differently than many other types of lawyers. These attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Instead of being charged for every minute that your lawyer works on your case, their fee will be assessed as a percentage of your compensation from the liable party. If you don’t recover compensation, you don’t pay your lawyer.

This type of payment structure offers many advantages for an accident victim. For one, there is no risk in hiring a Georgetown truck accident attorney because you will never pay a penny out of pocket. Additionally, you can feel confident that your lawyer will do everything in their power to ensure you receive a large payout since their fee is tied directly to how much you recover.

Preserving Evidence Can Help Prove Liability

Many commercial trucks have black boxes to record what happened at the time of a crash. These records are crucial evidence in your case because they could help prove that the truck driver was liable for your accident. But it’s possible that someone could erase it if we don’t take steps to preserve the evidence before an examination.

This is one reason why it’s so crucial to hire a truck accident attorney in Georgetown as soon as possible after your accident. You could have as little as two weeks before the data gets erased, and that can put your compensation in jeopardy.

Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina

The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina is three years. Failure to file a lawsuit within this time frame will nullify your right to compensation. In some cases, there are special circumstances that can shorten the amount of time you have to file.

Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney shortly after your accident is the best way to ensure that you meet all your deadlines. Hiring a lawyer early will also put you in the best position to win your case. Your attorney will have access to all possible evidence before it vanishes in one way or another.

Additionally, having an attorney in your corner can protect you from the insurance company. Insurers often try to take advantage of accident victims before they have the chance to hire an attorney. Decline discussing your case of taking any settlement offers until you have a chance to have a lawyer review the proposed deal.

Seek Advice From an Experienced Georgetown Truck Accident Lawyer

Time is of the essence if you’ve been injured in a trucking accident. The insurance companies know you could have the right to large amounts of compensation. They will do everything they can to minimize the amount. We will fight on your behalf to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Let the Georgetown, SC, truck accident lawyers at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward get started on your case. You will owe us nothing unless you win. Start by contacting us by phone or using our contact form to schedule a free consultation. The sooner you act, the stronger your chances of winning.