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Truck Accident Attorneys in Charleston, South Carolina
It can be nerve racking simply driving near a truck. Trucks generally weigh 20 to 30 times more than typical passenger cars. Pair that size with a truck’s slower ability to stop, an overworked driver behind the wheel, congestion on the road, and construction or infrastructure issues, and the impact of accidents involving trucks in Charleston, SC, can be devastating.
It never gets easier seeing someone’s life halted while recovering from unexpected injuries or a family grieve a loved one as a result of an accident. That’s why our team does what we do. Our entire team is dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents and their loved ones recover the best that they possibly can physically, financially, and emotionally. We won’t settle for anything less than what you deserve.
At Cavanaugh & Thickens, we aggressively and passionately handle the entire legal process for you so you can focus on what’s most important: healing. We will keep you posted on what to expect every step of the way and give you a clear path forward.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Carolina
No matter how careful you are on the road, accidents can happen, and when a large truck is involved, it can sometimes be inevitable. There are a few commonalities we see in accidents caused by large trucks, also referred to as tractor-trailers, semis, semi-trucks, or 18-wheelers. These include:
- Speeding
- Distracted, tired, or impaired driving
- Unsecured cargo
- Insufficient training and supervision
- Improper maintenance/inspection
- Following too closely
- Vehicle maintenance issues
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Case
Proving who was at fault for an accident is arguably one of, if not the, most important part of a personal injury case. When a truck is involved, proving who was at fault can get very complicated. Why? Because oftentimes, there are several parties at fault. For example, one or more of the following parties may have played a role:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The owner of the trailer
- The manufacturer of the vehicle
- The party(ies) who loaded the truck
- The maintenance company
In order to get the compensation you deserve after an accident, you need to prove that you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Insurance companies and trucking companies will not make this easy for you. Luckily, having an attorney on your side with the resources and experience needed can take this pressure off your shoulders completely.
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How a Truck Accident Attorney Will Help
Attorneys help make sure that insurance companies don’t take advantage of injured people or their loved ones, something that we see happen far too often. Should you hire our firm to help you get the justice you deserve, you can expect us to:
- Go out and collect critical evidence. This includes photos, videos, security footage, and more.
- Manage important communication with the parties involved to protect your rights.
- Regularly update you on the legal process, status of your case, and what to expect next.
- Obtain and analyze police reports, uncovering any mistakes/inconsistencies made.
- Get and analyze critical documents from the trucking company including driving logs, driver history, and more.
- Find and speak with witnesses.
- Organize medical documents.
- Provide guidance on important decisions.
- Prove and value all of your past, current, and future damages, expenses, and losses.
- Optimize your case to get you the maximum of what you’re owed under SC law.
You can rest assured knowing that we will do everything possible to get you the best outcome for your case. In addition to the legal knowledge and experience, we also have great medical providers we can put you in touch with, as well as a wide array of other referral partners who can help you in various areas so you can recover physically, financially, and emotionally.
Cavanaugh & Thickens Truck Accident Case Results
Our team is highly recognized across South Carolina for our truck accident litigation. Truck accident law is unique, so it’s critical to hire someone to represent you that is versed in this area particularly.
Recent Case Results
These are just a few of our trucking accident case results. To discuss your case with an attorney, please call our office at (843) 888-9000.
What Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
We represent clients throughout the state who have been in all types of accidents involving a truck. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Head-on truck collisions
- Rear-end truck collisions
- Side impact/side sweep accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Blindspot accidents
- Underride accidents
- Tire blowouts, and more.
Will My Health Insurance Cover My Injuries?
If you were injured due to a negligent truck driver, it is quite possible that your health insurance will help you pay for the associated medical costs, depending on your coverage. In addition to this, a lawyer will help you recover additional past, present, and future damages related to the accident. For example:
Medical Expenses – This includes emergency medical care, doctor bills, prescription medication costs, hospital bills, physical therapy, other long-term/future care, and more.
Lost Wages – If your injuries or emotional damages prevent you from working, you may be able to collect compensation for this. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work at the same level, you may be able to collect for the “loss of earning capacity.” Our team can help you understand and work through these circumstances.
Property Damage – Whether your car is totaled or has other damage, you can collect compensation for its repairs/replacement. Property damage can also include any personal belongings damaged in the accident, such as watches, jewelry, glasses, etc.
Transportation – You can collect compensation for travel to and from certain destinations such as doctors appointments, physical therapy, and more.
Funeral Expenses – If the accident resulted in tragic loss of life, you may be eligible to collect compensation for funeral/burial-related expenses.
Contact An Experienced Charleston Truck Accident Attorney
Have any questions? Ready to learn more about your rights under South Carolina law? We are here for you 24/7. For your convenience, we are available via multiple communication methods. Simply call our team at (843) 888-9000 or contact us online via submitting a form or beginning a chat, and our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Will An Attorney Cost?
With Cavanaugh & Thickens, you don’t pay us anything upfront or out-of-pocket: no retainer fee and no court fees. In fact, you owe us nothing unless we recover a settlement or judgment for your case. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning at the end of your case, our team collects a pre-approved percentage of the total compensation we’ve earned for you.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
South Carolina Statute of Limitations is three years against private entities. The time frame is drastically shorter if a government/some other entities are involved. It’s a good idea to begin working with an attorney as soon as possible in order to preserve critical evidence and optimize your claim. It’s also important to note that before filing a lawsuit, you go through discussions with the insurance company first to see if you can settle the matter out of court. If that fails, you need to have plenty of time before that 3 year deadline is up to file the lawsuit and prepare for trial.
Trial or Settlement?
You may be wondering whether or not your case will go to trial. This is dependent on multiple factors. There are pros and cons to trial, and our attorneys will be able to explain these better specific to your circumstances. In general, here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Trial by jury may be to your advantage. Our attorneys will build the best case possible for you, and we know how to appeal to a jury. We have experience getting much larger verdicts in court than the companies were willing to offer beforehand.
- A trial can provide a stronger sense of accountability. When a case goes to trial, some clients feel a deeper sense of justice for themselves and their loved ones. The details of trial cases are public record and can provide a stronger sense of closure for victims, feeling peace of mind that the parties involved are held accountable publicly.
Cons:
- There is a lot less certainty about reaching a settlement. In trial, it is completely up to the jury to even find the other party responsible for the accident. It’s possible that you walk away with no compensation or much less than what was offered.
- It can take more time. When cases go to trial, there are more steps involved in the legal process, meaning it will likely take longer to receive your settlement.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Charleston?
The aftermath of a truck accident can be very overwhelming. We’re here to help make it as smooth of a process as possible. Here are some of the things you should do after a truck accident:
- The first step after any accident is to, if possible, move to the side of the road, check on the safety of others, and call emergency services.
- Give an accurate description of what happened to the first responders. This will be used to build the report.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s). Make sure to get names, phone numbers, insurance information. It is helpful to also get contact information from any witnesses.
- Make notes/take photos of the scene. Get images of your car, the road, the surrounding areas, and make note of any other conditions: the weather, road conditions, etc. All of this will be helpful to have later on once your adrenaline has leveled and months down the road if you file a claim.
- Get medical care ASAP. Whether you have apparent injuries or feel fine, it’s in your best interest to let a doctor check you for internal/external injuries.
- Finally, speak with a personal injury lawyer to start the claims process and make sure you are not taken advantage of.
