Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Attorney in Greenville, SC Ready To Assist You
If you are injured in a truck accident due to another party's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Peace Law Firm to speak with a Greenville truck accident attorney by calling 864-298-0500 today.
An accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler can change your life forever.
We understand the pain and confusion you might be going through after the crash.
If you are unsure of where to turn, we want to help.
Greenville truck accident attorney John Peace is familiar with cases just like yours.
Reach out today for a free consultation.
Learn More About South Carolina Truck Crashes
Large commercial trucks are an integral part of the South Carolina economy. In fact, trucks still deliver more than 60 percent of freight in North America.
In South Carolina, there is no exception to this dependency on large semis and tractor-trailers. The trucking industry
But large trucks, as essential as they may be to our way of life and to a healthy economy, are also dangerous. When a large truck accident occurs, the risk of serious injury or death to the occupant of the other vehicle involved is high.
Trucks can weigh 20 times more than passenger cars. All that extra mass means more force in a collision and, therefore, a greater degree of damages.
At the office of the Peace Law Firm, our Grenville truck accident attorney has seen how catastrophic large truck accidents can be. We know what you must be going through if you or a loved one has recently been in a commercial truck accident.
To learn more about your legal rights, including the right to seek compensation for your losses, please call our Greenville truck accident lawyer today.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Greenville, SC
The steps you take immediately following a truck accident impact your injury claim. It’s crucial to stay calm and remember what to do.
Contact the Police
First, you should contact the police department to advise them there has been an injury accident.
Be careful what you say when the police arrive, so you do not jeopardize your injury claim. Never admit fault or say anything the insurance company can later use against you.
Exchange Information
You want to exchange information with all involved parties. Be sure to get the truck driver’s insurance policy and employment information.
If any witnesses stopped, be sure to get their contact information as well.
Take Photos
If you’re able, take scene photos. You should try to get pictures of the damage to your vehicle and the truck. Include photos of debris, skid marks, etc.
Did something else potentially contribute to the collision? Make sure to document the scene thoroughly.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you don’t require emergency transport to the hospital from the accident scene, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Do not delay in visiting a doctor.
You could have internal injuries that are not immediately visible. The insurance company will look for any delays in treatment to use against you.
Report the Accident
You should contact your insurance company to advise them of the accident. They may report the claim to the truck driver’s insurance or tell you to contact them directly.
They might already have a claim assigned from the truck driver’s company. If you speak with the defendant’s insurance, be wary.
They will ask you for a recorded statement that you should not agree to without legal representation.
Contact a Greenville, SC Truck Accident Lawyer
Despite what the other insurance company would like you to believe, hiring a South Carolina truck accident attorney in the early stages of your claim is a wise decision.
The defendant’s insurance company doesn’t want you to have legal representation because they will not be able to undervalue your claim or get you to say something they can use against you in negotiations.
Damages from a Truck Accident
Statistically, truck accidents are more destructive than accidents involving two passenger vehicles. This is because of the size of the large truck involved in the crash.
Even when these collisions happen at low speeds, the damage to the smaller vehicle and the injuries to any occupants can be severe.
This is true for various truck accident types. Common crashes include:
- Underride accidents,
- Override accidents,
- Rear-end collisions,
- Head-on accidents,
- Jackknife accidents,
- Sideswipe accidents,
- Right-turn squeeze accidents, and
- T-bone accidents.
Injuries that may result from these accident types include:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Facial injuries;
- Scalp and head injuries;
- Internal injuries;
- Bone fracture injuries;
- Injuries to extremities;
- Loss of limb injuries;
- Crush injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Back and neck Injuries; and
- Soft tissue injuries.
These injuries can lead to various other losses for
Our firm believes that you deserve compensation for all
Obtaining Compensation Following a Truck Accident
Obtaining a fair settlement in a truck accident requires a solid case and strong negotiating skills.
Insurance companies know injured victims don’t do this for a living, which is why they might try to take advantage of you.
That is one reason why you want to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer in Greenville, SC. You need a legal advocate who has experience successfully resolving these severe injury cases.
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Claim
In South Carolina, a truck crash victim can bring forth a claim for damages against the party responsible for the accident and injuries.
However, in order for this claim to be successful, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's negligence caused the accident.
You must prove four main elements to have a successful liability argument:
- Duty—the defendant owed you a duty of care;
- Breach—the defendant breached this duty of care;
- Causation—the defendant’s actions are what led to your injuries; and
- Damages—financial losses from your injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, etc.
An investigation into the cause of your truck accident is critical. It is essential to gather evidence that proves the elements of negligence listed here.
Our attorney can handle this on your behalf while you concentrate on your recovery.
Truck accident claims are especially complicated. There are various parties involved in a truck accident. This means there are multiple potentially liable parties.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Carolina
Truck accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons. However, some causes are more common than others. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents we see in South Carolina include the following.
Truck Driver Error
Truck drivers are often to blame for truck accidents when their negligence results in a crash. Examples of truck drivers’ errors that can lead to accidents include:
- Speeding;
- Driving while distracted;
- Driving while fatigued or under the influence;
- Taking a turn too fast for conditions; or
- Driving aggressively.
If a truck driver is to blame for an accident, the truck driver or the trucking company may be responsible for compensating you for your damages.
Passenger Vehicle Error
The drivers of smaller passenger vehicles often make errors that cause or contribute to truck accidents. You may be partially to blame for a truck accident. Or the third-party driver or another passenger vehicle may be partially to blame.
Actions such as tailgating, driving in a truck’s blind spots, speeding, illegally changing lanes, cutting off a truck driver, attempting to pass on the right, or other dangerous action can lead to a crash.
Trucking Company Error
Sometimes, a truck company is to blame for a trucking accident. This is the case when the truck accident is the result of the trucking company’s failure to:
- Properly maintain the truck;
- Conduct thorough driver background checks;
- Properly train drivers; or
- Keep lawful drivers’ logs.
Federal laws mandate how many hours truck drivers can be on the road. Some trucking companies push their drivers to exceed these limits, thereby violating the federal hours of service requirements.
Shipper or Loader Error
A truck accident can occur because of a shift in cargo while the vehicle is en route. If the shipper or the loader of the cargo loader loaded the truck improperly or did not secure the load, they may be at fault.
Truck Part Manufacturer/Distributor Error
Finally, some of the scariest truck accidents occur because of a vehicle part defect. This could be a tire blowout or brakes going out while a truck is in motion. When a vehicle part defect causes an accident, the part manufacturer or the distributor may be liable.
It is common for more than one party to be partially liable for a truck accident. Victims often file claims against multiple insurers as such.
Contact a Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer at the Peace Law Firm
When you hire the Peace Law Firm, you have chosen a Greenville, South Carolina truck accident lawyer with experience in large claims. We know to investigate a crash and determine liability.
Our team works expeditiously to preserve evidence, including sending spoliation of evidence letters to relevant parties. We will aggressively advocate for your right to recover 100 percent of your damages amount.
Our law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations to truck accident victims and their families. We would be happy to sit down with you to discuss your truck accident and recovery options today. We offer consultations at convenient hours and can even travel to your location.
We also handle clients with other types of injury cases, including:
Reach out to us today online or by phone to get started.
Truck Accident Law FAQs
What Damages Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
When you're seriously injured in a truck crash, the losses you suffer are also known as damages. These include things like medical bills, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and more. Your South Carolina truck accident lawyer can effectively build your case to clearly establish all of the damages you've suffered.
Why Are Truck Crashes Worse than Car Crashes?
It's all about physics. A semi-truck is a massive vehicle, especially compared to a car. When a truck collides with a car, the car passengers are often seriously injured. These wrecks can lead to injuries that last a lifetime and even death. Even so, insurance companies will often fight these claims tooth and nail. There are usually multiple defendants, which complicates the issue even further.
How Can I Prove Liability?
Though it may seem obvious that the truck driver or trucking company is liable for a crash, many insurance companies will question your role in the accident. An attorney will help clearly establish fault in the accident. They'll investigate and be able to demonstrate if the truck driver was speeding or otherwise acting carelessly or recklessly. In addition, they'll look into regulations, the packing of the truck's load, company guidelines, and more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?
Like other states, South Carolina has legal deadlines that dictate how much time you have before you must file a lawsuit. For truck accident claims, the general rule is three years from the date of the accident. However, some variables could impact that date. Do not assume it’s three years without speaking with a South Carolina truck accident attorney first.