Truck Accidents Lawyers

If you drive on South Carolina’s roads, you’ll invariably have to share the space with large commercial trucks. Most drivers assume that the people operating those trucks are professional, alert, trained, and conscientious. But that isn’t always the case. 

When an 18-wheeler crashes into a passenger car or truck, the results can be catastrophic. And, because South Carolina is a major North-South trucking corridor, these accidents happen with increasing frequency. 

If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious truck crash in South Carolina, you need the assistance of a skilled attorney to navigate this complex case. At Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC, we can help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the responsible parties so you can collect the full compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation. 

Why Trucking Accidents Are So Serious

Truck accidents frequently occur in South Carolina despite there being various laws in place to mandate responsible truck operation. When trucks and smaller vehicles collide, the results are nearly always devastating. 

A commercial truck weighs several tons, and the cargo being hauled can be incredibly heavy or even hazardous. Larger vehicles create more force upon impact, so anything they hit is more likely to sustain major damage, and those involved in these accidents are likely to suffer severe injuries. 

Trucks have a much longer stopping distance compared to passenger vehicles, particularly when they are traveling at highway speeds. This contributes to a lot of accidents, like rear-end collisions. Large semis also have many blind spots, so the driver is unlikely to see someone passing them on the right or may make a poor decision based on limited visibility. 

18-wheelers also have a high center of gravity. While this design feature allows them to carry substantial cargo, it makes these vehicles more susceptible to dangerous rollover accidents. 

Finally, truck drivers are under serious pressure to meet tight deadlines. Even though there are strict federal and state requirements for training, licensing, drug testing, and working hours, drivers and trucking companies find ways to skirt these rules, which creates dangerous situations on the road. 

Different Types of Trucking Accidents We Handle in South Carolina

Truck crashes can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, these collisions occur due to events outside the driver’s control. However, many truck accidents are preventable due to someone’s negligence or carelessness. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:

• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DWI)
• Making unsafe or illegal turns
• Tailgating or following too closely
• Driving unsafe in hazardous road or weather conditions
• Distracted driving
• Failure to maintain a lane
• Driving with an unstable load
• Defective vehicles
• Untrained or poorly trained drivers
• Collisions with road debris

In addition to these common causes, semi-trucks can collide with other vehicles in various ways, all of which are serious and potentially deadly. Some examples include jackknifing, rollovers, override and underride accidents, and blind spot accidents. 

Holding the Responsible Parties Accountable for Your Damages

Victims of truck collisions in South Carolina should pursue just compensation by filing a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. There may be multiple parties you can name in a truck accident case. 

Many truck accidents are the fault of a negligent or careless truck driver. If the driver works for a trucking company, that business could be held responsible as well. In accidents involving shifting cargo or mechanical failure, you may be able to pursue a claim against a logistics company or parts manufacturer. 

There’s nothing simple about determining responsibility and prevailing in a truck accident case. You need a skilled truck accident attorney in your corner who will fight for your interests from start to finish. 

How Much is Your Trucking Accident Case Worth?

The massive size of commercial trucks usually translates into severe injuries. Some common injuries our law firm encounters include traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, burns, crushing injuries, soft tissue injuries, paralysis, and burns. 

Because trucking accidents can lead to such catastrophic damage and injuries, settlements in truck accident cases can be quite high. If you are pursuing a truck accident case in South Carolina, you can recover several types of damages — economic and non-economic damages. 

Examples of economic damages include past and future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses. Non-economic damages can include things like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Punitive damages may be possible in truck accident cases. But they aren’t common in South Carolina and the law limits these types of damages. 

No law firm or attorney can make promises about a specific case outcome. But, if you’ve been seriously hurt or have lost a loved one, you are almost certainly entitled to a greater amount than you’re being offered by an insurance company representative. Insurers typically want to settle your case for as little as possible. We urge you to call us first. 

Call a South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

After an 18-wheeler accident or any crash with a commercial vehicle, it’s essential to get an experienced lawyer working on your behalf immediately. You can be sure the truck driver and their employer will summon teams of investigators, attorneys, and insurance specialists to make every attempt to minimize or deny your claim. Without a seasoned professional on your side, the truck’s maintenance logs, black box data, and other evidence can disappear quickly. 

At Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC, our truck accident attorneys will spring into action on your case right away. We will do what is necessary to preserve evidence, identify the responsible parties, and build the strongest case possible on your behalf. We will handle everything while you focus on what’s important — your physical and emotional recovery. 

We take truck accident cases on contingency, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Please call us today at (844) 843-1589 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We have offices in Fort Mill, Baxter Village, Lake Wylie, and Rock Hill, and we handle cases in Nashville by appointment.