Semi-Trailer Truck Accident Lawyer in Bamberg, SC

Thousands of South Carolina drivers are involved in truck accidents every year. While some are fortunate enough to escape a crash with no injuries, far too many others are severely hurt or killed. According to a report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were 3,929 accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in a recent year, killing 116 people and leaving another 209 seriously injured.

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Bamberg, you might be facing lifelong health consequences, costly medical bills, and an astronomical drop in household income. The good news is that you can seek accountability and just compensation from the negligent party that caused your injuries.

Getting compensation for your injuries after a truck accident can be challenging, but the right lawyer can make a difference. The Bamberg, S.C. truck accident attorneys of Wilson Law Group, LLC have been helping South Carolinians with personal injury claims for more than a decade. We’ve collected millions of dollars for our clients and will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve after a big rig accident. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Bamberg

There are multiple causes of semi-truck accidents in Bamberg, including:

• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving
• Distracted driving
• Truck driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Unsafe turns and lane changes
• Mechanical defects
• Improperly loaded or secured cargo
• Improper maintenance
• Other drivers

Why Are Truck Accidents So Complicated?

Truck accidents are more complex to resolve compared to car accidents. First, commercial vehicle crashes are less common than the average auto accident and result in greater injuries. That’s because commercial trucks are much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Greater injuries mean more medical bills, which raises the stakes for your claim. It also makes insurers eager to deny your claim.

Another reason truck accident claims are so complicated is that multiple parties may be liable for your injuries. Suppose a truck driver is fatigued from operating their vehicle for too long without taking a break. In that case, they could be held liable for falling asleep behind the wheel and causing a collision. But trucking companies are also supposed to monitor their drivers to make sure they rest and follow the federal Hours of Service (HOS) guidelines. That means both the truck driver and the trucking company could share fault for the accident. In that case, a demand for full compensation can be sent to both the driver and their employer.

Liability After a Commercial Truck Crash

For someone to be held liable for your truck accident injuries, you and your attorney must be able to demonstrate that someone was negligent, or reckless, and that their negligence directly led to your injuries.

Several different parties could be liable for a truck accident, including:

• Truck driver: Examples of truck driver negligence include driving while impaired, driving while fatigued, distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving.
• Trucking company: If a trucking company hired an inexperienced or unqualified driver, they could be liable for an accident. They could also be liable if they knew the truck driver was negligent and failed to take action to curb the behavior.
• Truck manufacturer: Semi-trucks are made of thousands of individual parts. A mechanical failure at the wrong moment can easily lead to a collision. If a mechanical defect, such as brake failure, causes a crash, the manufacturer of the defective truck or part could be held liable.
• Cargo loaders: Cargo that is improperly loaded or secured may shift when the truck is in transit, making it difficult to control the rig. This increases the risk for jackknife accidents, rollovers, or cargo spillage onto the road.
• Maintenance companies: An 18-wheeler needs routine maintenance. Trucks with poor maintenance are more likely to suffer mechanical failures that could lead to a crash. In this case, the company in charge of maintaining the truck could be liable if the rig did not receive adequate inspections and repairs.

Evidence in a Truck Accident Claim

To recover compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, and other financial losses, your truck accident claim must document all the harm you’ve suffered. You’ll also need proof that another party caused the crash. Evidence commonly used in truck accident claims includes:

• Your medical records
• Police accident reports
• Witness testimony
• Photos and videos from the accident scene
• Forensic accident investigations
• The truck driver’s logbook
• Information from the truck’s onboard data recorder

Demanding Maximum Truck Accident Compensation for You

Under South Carolina law, truck accident victims can seek compensation for many different kinds of losses after an accident, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Any psychological harm, such as emotional anguish, that you’ve suffered
• Punitive damages (in some cases)

It’s important to note South Carolina’s laws regarding shared fault for truck accident claims. You can recover compensation for your injuries even if you’re found partially responsible for a collision, but only if you are less than 51 percent responsible for the crash.

If you are found to be partially liable for the accident, any compensation you receive will be reduced by your share of responsibility. If your portion of fault exceeds that of the other parties, you won’t be able to recover compensation at all. Because so much hangs in the balance, it’s wise to have an experienced truck accident attorney by your side during settlement negotiations.

S.C. Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits

In most truck accident cases, you have three years from the date of your injuries to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, your claim will likely be dismissed. Protect your right to fair compensation by contacting an attorney as soon as possible.

How Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Bamberg Can Help

A truck accident lawyer in Bamberg is an essential ally after any crash. While you focus on the medical treatment you need, the attorneys at Wilson Law Group, LLC can build your case for compensation.

Our legal team can do all of the legwork for you. We’ll investigate the accident, document your injuries, assess your financial losses and gather evidence to establish the responsible party’s liability. Then we’ll fight for a full and fair settlement that meets your needs and goals. If the liable party refuses to pay what you deserve, we’ll be prepared to file a truck accident lawsuit and take your case to trial.

At Wilson Law Group, LLC, we’re standing by and ready to get started. Call or contact us today for a free consultation or visit our knowledgeable semi-trailer truck accident lawyer office in Bamberg, SC.