South Carolina 18-Wheeler & Big Rig Accident Lawyer
Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident in South Carolina? At Wilson Law Group, we understand what you’re going through, and we want to help. Truck accident cases present unique legal challenges that require an understanding of federal and state trucking regulations — and the lengths insurance companies will go to avoid making a fair payout.
Our experienced truck accident attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience and have recovered favorable verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims in the Midlands and throughout the Palmetto State. Each case is unique, and results vary. Our law firm is proud to have helped past clients recover compensation that holds at-fault parties accountable for their wrongdoing.
Let us prepare and pursue your truck accident claim while you focus on healing. Contact Wilson Law Group today for a free consultation with a South Carolina 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
Understanding 18-Wheeler & Big Rig Accidents
Commercial truck accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, although many share a common root cause: someone had a legal duty to act responsibly but failed to do so.
Common examples of negligence in truck accident cases include:.
- Driver fatigue – Long hours on the road can leave truck drivers dangerously tired. Even with federal hours-of-service regulations that mandate how long truckers can work without breaks, some drivers push past their limits, leading to fatigue and potentially dangerous driving. Trucking companies also sometimes encourage truckers to disregard hours-of-service regulations to expedite their deliveries.
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions – Commercial trucks need more time and space to stop. A trucker who drives too fast — especially in bad weather or heavy traffic — might not be able to stop their vehicle in time to avoid a crash.
- Distracted driving – Texting, eating, or using in-cab devices can pull a truck driver’s attention away from the road. Even a momentary lapse in concentration may be enough to cause a tractor-trailer accident.
- Improper loading – Uneven or unsecured cargo can shift or fall during transit. This can cause the truck to tip over, jackknife, or spill dangerous materials onto the road.
- Poor truck maintenance – Worn brakes, bald tires, or broken lights can all make a semi-truck unsafe to drive. Truck drivers and trucking companies must conduct regular inspections of their vehicles, but not every driver or business follows the rules.
- Inexperience or lack of training – Handling an 80,000-pound truck takes skill and practice. Drivers without proper training may make critical errors in tight turns, during traffic congestion, or in emergencies.
Several factors make semi-truck and other commercial vehicle accidents more complex than typical car accidents. These cases often involve both state and federal regulations, multiple liable parties, severe injuries, and aggressive insurance companies focused on protecting their profits. An experienced truck accident lawyer can be a crucial ally in identifying the liable parties and holding them accountable.
Legal Rights of Truck Accident Victims in South Carolina
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident someone else caused in South Carolina, the at-fault party could owe you financial compensation for the losses you suffered. An experienced personal injury attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the parties who contributed to the collision and take legal action to hold them liable.
The trucking industry includes numerous parties who may bear responsibility for the collision, including:
- The truck driver – The driver may be liable if they were speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise careless while operating the 18-wheeler.
- The trucking company – The trucking carrier could be held responsible if poor hiring decisions, insufficient driver training, negligent hiring practices, inadequate maintenance, or unethical treatment of its employees contributed to the crash.
- Cargo loaders – Third parties that loaded the truck can be liable if they did so in violation of cargo securement rules.
- Truck or parts manufacturers – The manufacturer of the truck or its parts may share liability if defects in the brake systems, tires, or other components contribute to a semi-truck accident.
- Maintenance providers – A third-party mechanic or repair shop may be responsible if negligent inspection and shoddy repairs caused a critical component to fail while the truck was inservice.
- Other drivers – If a truck driver crashes while trying to avoid another driver’s reckless actions, that driver may also share liability for the accident.
Maximizing compensation in a truck accident claim often means filing multiple insurance claims with each liable party’s insurer. A big rig accident attorney from Wilson Law Group can identify the appropriate insurers and take care of settlement negotiations for you. If a mutual agreement cannot be reached, your attorney can file a truck accident lawsuit and take the battle to the courtroom.
Types of Compensation Available
The compensation you could be entitled to depends on your injuries, how they affect your ability to work, and other facts specific to your situation. Some victims recover fully from a truck accident injury. Others suffer catastrophic injuries that lead to permanent disabilities. All of these factors could vastly impact the value of their case.
A big rig accident attorney can help document your losses and seek compensation for losses like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in South Carolina
Under most circumstances, trucking accident victims have three years after a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina.
However, deadlines may vary. For example, if your claim is against a state or local government agency, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act generally requires you to file a notice of claim within one year and a lawsuit within two years of the incident.
Conversely, some exceptions can lengthen the time you have to file a claim, such as if the injured party is a minor or the victim is legally incapacitated. Consult a tractor-trailer accident attorney as soon as possible to learn the deadline for your case. If you file too late, you lose your right to seek compensation.
How Could Comparative Fault Affect My SC Truck Accident Case?
You may wonder if you can recover compensation if you share responsibility for the truck crash. South Carolina’s comparative negligence law exists for precisely these circumstances. Under the comparative negligence rule, you can recover compensation for a truck accident as long as you are 50 percent or less at fault for the wreck. However, your compensation will also be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
Just a single percentage point could mean the difference between recovering compensation and paying for your losses out of pocket. A skilled truck accident lawyer will work to help you avoid common pitfalls that prevent accident victims from obtaining just compensation.
Contact a South Carolina 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Today
If you sustained injuries in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to demand justice and seek fair compensation. Get Wilson Law Group in your corner. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in South Carolina.