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Trucks can be dangerous vehicles, and accidents involving large commercial trucks can be devastating and often result in catastrophic injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Charleston, South Carolina, it’s important to seek legal representation from a qualified and experienced lawyer.
A Charleston truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. The Thumbs Up Guys have the knowledge and skill to navigate the complexities of truck accident cases and will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Let’s discuss the importance of hiring a Charleston personal injury lawyer and how our dedicated team can help injury victims in the aftermath of a crash.
A truck lays on its side after a crash. This common occurrence leaves accident victims with severe injuries.
How do Truck Accidents Happen in Charleston, South Carolina?
Truck accidents can happen due to various reasons, and understanding the common causes is crucial to preventing them and knowing what to look out for on the road. Here are some ways in which truck accidents can occur:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often have long and demanding work schedules, which can lead to fatigue and drowsiness. Falling asleep at the wheel can result in catastrophic accidents.
- Distracted driving/reckless driving: Just like any other driver, commercial truck drivers can also get distracted by activities like texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving. These distractions take their focus away from the road and increase the risk of accidents.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Trucking companies often require regular maintenance of their vehicles to ensure their safe operation. Inadequate maintenance pertaining to the brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components can lead to accidents caused by mechanical failure.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: Trucks that are overloaded or have unevenly distributed cargo can become unstable and difficult to control. This can result in accidents, especially during turns or sudden braking.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous for any driver, but the consequences can be particularly severe when it involves a large commercial truck. Impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and reduced coordination significantly increase the risk of semi-truck drivers causing accidents.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, snow, fog, and other adverse weather conditions can make driving challenging for any vehicle. However, large trucks are particularly vulnerable to losing control on slippery roads or experiencing reduced visibility. Always be aware of road conditions before getting behind the wheel.
By understanding the common causes of semi-truck accidents, drivers can take appropriate precautions to prevent them. However, if you or a loved one has already been involved in a trucking accident, it’s essential to seek legal action from a truck crash lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Potential Damages You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Claim
When it comes to truck accidents, the damages can be significant and life-altering. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Charleston, it’s important to understand the types of damages you may be entitled to recover. Here are some common types of damages an accident victim may be able to claim in a truck accident:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and any other medical treatments related to your injuries. Keep track of your medical bills if you’re seeking maximum compensation after a truck crash.
- Lost wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have resulted in a decrease in your earning capacity, you may be able to recover the wages you have lost and the potential income you may lose in the future.
- Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical and emotional distress you have experienced as a result of the accident. It can include chronic pain, mental anguish, and a decreased quality of life. Pain and suffering is considered a non-economic damage.
- Property damage: If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement. Large trucks can cause thousands of dollars in damages, so don’t sweep these costs under the rug.
- Wrongful death: In the case of a fatal accident, the surviving family members may be able to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss.
These are just a few examples of the types of damages that may be available in a South Carolina truck accident case. To determine the specific damages you may be entitled to, it’s important to consult with a qualified trucking accident attorney who can assess the details of your case and fight for your rights.
What Kind of Truck Accidents Can We Help With?
The Thumbs Up Guys are here to help you with your trucking accident claim in Charleston, South Carolina. These vehicles are typically built specifically for moving goods or passengers professionally. However, commercial vehicles can be more than just 18-wheelers. They include a wide range of vehicles, such as:
- Semi-trucks
- Box trucks and freight vehicles
- Commercial vans
- Public and private buses
- Tractor trailers
- Some taxi cabs
An accident involving any of these vehicles is considered 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.
A commercial truck company will likely have strong legal representation to protect their financial interests. Hiring an attorney with us can help keep them from taking advantage of you. Our compassionate lawyers can fight to help you receive the fair compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
The Thumbs Up Guys Can Help You After a Truck Accident
Commercial truck accidents can be extremely overwhelming and stressful. That’s where a Charleston truck accident lawyer comes in. These personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of truck accident cases and provide you with the help and support you need.
Fighting for Your Rights
An experienced truck accident lawyer will fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. We will negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you are not taken advantage of and that you receive a fair settlement.
Understanding of Laws
Additionally, a truck accident lawyer in Charleston understands the unique laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. An experienced attorney will use their expertise to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Whether it’s a negligent truck driver, a trucking company, or a manufacturer of faulty truck parts, your lawyer will work tirelessly to seek justice on your behalf.
Support and Guidance
In addition to handling the legal aspects of your case, a Charleston car accident lawyer will provide you with the support and guidance you need during this difficult time. We will answer your questions, explain the legal process, and keep you informed every step of the way. We will be your advocate and ensure that your best interests are always prioritized.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina Now
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, hiring a Charleston truck accident lawyer is essential. From understanding the unique laws and regulations to investigating the accident and negotiating with insurance companies, The Thumbs Up Guys will work diligently to ensure that your best interests are represented.
Don’t face the aftermath of a truck accident alone – contact us today for the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Our law firm is ready to fight for you.
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.
The Most Common Mistake People Make After Being Injured in a Truck Accident
Trucking companies and their drivers play a huge role in our economy. Every day, millions of tons of raw and finished product is transported by truckers across our nation’s highways. The South
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