How Truck Accident Injury Compensation Works in South Carolina
If you get hurt in a commercial truck accident in South Carolina, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries and crash-related losses. However, recovering the money you deserve can feel like a constant battle if powerful trucking companies or their insurers dispute your injury claim.
Knowing your rights is key. Put yourself in a position of strength by learning how truck accident compensation works in South Carolina and how a personal injury lawyer can help.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in South Carolina
South Carolina personal injury law allows accident victims to recover compensation — also known as damages — for a broad range of losses after a truck crash. In most cases, there are two types of damages an injured party can pursue for their truck accident injuries:
- Economic damages – Compensation that covers the victim’s measurable losses, such as medical expenses, the cost of future medical treatment, lost wages, reduced earning potential, and property damage
- Non-economic damages – Money for intangible personal losses involving quality-of-life factors like pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and permanent limitations or disabilities
In rare cases, victims may also seek compensation for punitive damages, which punish the at-fault party for willful, wanton, or extremely reckless conduct. Punitive damages serve as a financial penalty for the at-fault party and as a deterrent to future wrongdoing. An experienced truck accident lawyer can determine whether punitive damages are possible for your case.
Factors That Influence Compensation Amounts
Numerous factors may impact South Carolina truck accident settlement amounts, such as:
- Severity of the injuries
- The long-term impact of those injuries
- The available insurance coverage of the at-fault party(s)
- Whether disputes over liability arise
- Strength of the evidence
Before filing a truck accident claim with the insurance company, consult an attorney to learn how a lawyer can help maximize your truck accident compensation.
How the Truck Accident Claims Process Works
In South Carolina, the truck accident claims process typically begins by filing an insurance claim with the responsible party’s insurer. It’s smart to talk to an experienced truck accident attorney before starting the claims process. Unlike car accident cases, numerous parties could be liable for a semi-truck accident. Identifying all responsible parties can put you in a better position to seek a fair settlement.
Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loaders
- Negligent mechanics and maintenance providers
- Parts manufacturers
- Other drivers
If the insurer accepts responsibility for the truck accident, it will make a settlement offer. However, the initial settlement offer is likely less than you are entitled to. An experienced truck accident compensation lawyer can place a fair value on your case and represent you during settlement negotiations. If negotiations fail, your attorney may recommend filing a truck accident lawsuit and taking your case to court to push for maximum compensation.
There is no average truck accident settlement amount in South Carolina, as each accident is unique. When you hire legal representation, your attorney will assess your damages and determine a case value based on the specific circumstances of your crash.
Contact a South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Wilson Law Group, LLC is an established South Carolina personal injury and truck accident law firm serving clients in Bamberg and the surrounding areas. For over 15 years, our experienced attorneys have successfully represented clients in truck accident cases, securing six- and seven-figure results to help them move forward. While we cannot ethically guarantee the same results for your case, our firm strives to achieve the best possible outcome for every client. Contact us today for a free consultation.