Columbia Truck Accident Attorney Fighting for Injury Victims

The Port of Charleston ranked as the eighth largest U.S. port by volume in 2023, sees a high influx of large trucks, contributing to common occurrences of heavy truck accident traffic. If you find yourself injured in an accident with a sizable commercial truck in Columbia, and the blame lies elsewhere, it’s important to consult with a truck accident lawyer. Why? Because truck accident cases involving these large trucks differ significantly from other traffic incidents, they demand the expertise of an attorney well-versed in handling such cases.

At Hart Law, our Columbia truck accident attorney stands by, ready to fight for your rights and interests. Do not go it alone after a serious commercial truck accident. These are complicated cases. If you or your accident victims was hurt in a semi-truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact our Columbia, SC, attorney today for a free consultation. Dial (803) 771-7701 now to speak with our legal team.

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident in Columbia, SC

Hurt in a commercial truck accident in Columbia, Richland County, Lexington County, or elsewhere in the wider region? You need to take a proactive approach. Refrain from relying on a truck company, an insurance company, or even law enforcement to look out for your best interests. Here are six steps to take after a truck accident in Columbia, SC:

  1. Stop your vehicle and exchange information with the truck driver;
  2. Call law enforcement to report the semi-truck accident;
  3. Seek immediate medical attention for any physical injuries;
  4. Carefully document the accident scene;
  5. Be cautious with dealing with any insurance adjusters; and
  6. Consult with a Columbia, SC truck accident lawyer.

Getting medical attention is very important. Even if you feel okay, some injuries show up later. Your medical records from medical attention right after the truck accident will help prove your case. A truck accident attorney can guide you through all these steps.

How Semi-Truck Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh as much as 40 tons. Even at a relatively modest speed, commercial truck collisions can pack incredible force. Unfortunately, when truck crash collisions happen, the occupants of smaller vehicles most often bear the brunt of the impact. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are disproportionately likely to happen in truck accident cases.

Accident victims in a truck crash may suffer from serious injuries including:

  • Serious soft tissue injuries;
  • Broken bones;
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
  • Amputations;
  • Spinal cord damage; and
  • Crush injuries.

These serious injuries require extensive medical treatment. The medical bills can be very high. A truck accident attorney at Hart Law can help you get fair compensation for all your medical expenses.

Why Semi-Truck Accidents Happen

A tractor-trailer should always be operated with the absolute highest level of care. Corners should never be cut when it comes to safety. Profits cannot be allowed to take priority over people. Although semi-truck accidents in Columbia happen for a wide range of different reasons they rarely occur by chance.

Far more often, they result from a combination of factors that could have been prevented with proper diligence. Some of the leading causes of truck accidents include:

  • Poor Training: The safe operation of a commercial truck requires skills and experience. Trucking companies must ensure that all truck drivers are properly trained.
  • Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers who spend too many hours on the road can experience reduced reaction times and poor judgment. Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents.
  • Distracted Driving: Using a mobile phone, adjusting the GPS, eating, or engaging in other distractions can quickly lead to a catastrophic truck crash.
  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Pressure to meet tight deadlines can tempt truck drivers to exceed speed limits or make unsafe maneuvers.
  • Poor Maintenance: Failing to properly maintain brakes, tires, lights, and other critical components can result in mechanical failure.
  • Improper Loading: Overloading a trailer or failing to secure cargo can cause imbalances, making the truck harder to control.

Holding Truckers and Trucking Companies Accountable

When a truck accident occurs in Columbia or elsewhere in South Carolina, an in-depth investigation is needed to determine who was at fault. Do not trust police reports or insurance company investigations for a proper investigation. A skilled truck accident attorney will know how to review truck driver logs, data from electronic logging devices, trucking company records, vehicle maintenance reports, and other critical evidence that can shed light on what happened.

Experts such as accident reconstruction specialists may also be brought in to recreate the events leading up to the truck crash. Why is the investigation so important? Under South Carolina’s fault-based standard, the party that caused the truck accident must be held responsible. If a truck driver was violating safety rules or the trucking company failed to enforce proper hiring practices or vehicle maintenance, they can be found liable. We work to identify all liable parties and hold them accountable.

By establishing fault through thorough investigation and analysis, you will be in the best position to prove fault and recover damages for your commercial truck accident injuries.

Know the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Injury Claims

Under South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 15-3-20), there is a three-year statute of limitations for truck accident claim cases. What happens if a truck accident lawsuit is not filed within three years of the date of a crash? The victim could miss his or her opportunity to seek compensation at all. Do not fall behind in the personal injury claims process. A proactive approach is an absolute must. You should speak to a truck accident lawyer right away after a serious collision.

Recovering the Maximum Compensation for Injured Victims

A commercial truck accident can cause catastrophic harm. Accident victims must be able to secure the full and fair compensation that they need to pay bills and support their families. In South Carolina, accident victims can seek compensation for both economic losses and non-economic damages. The value of your truck accident claim will always depend on a wide range of case-driven factors.

Our Columbia truck accident lawyer helps injured victims fight for the maximum compensation or verdict. You may be eligible for compensation for:

  • Vehicle repairs;
  • Emergency room care;
  • Hospital and other medical bills;
  • Long-term medical expenses;
  • Lost wages;
  • Diminished earnings;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Scarring;
  • Disability; and
  • Wrongful death.

Multiple parties may be liable in a commercial truck accident. You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the trucking company or truck driver acted with extreme negligence or else’s negligence that endangered lives.

Why Trust Our Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial truck accident claims are notoriously complex. Issues can arise for a wide variety of different reasons. You do not have to take on the trucking company or any insurance company alone. Our founder and principal attorney Christopher R. Hart has the experience that you can count on.

With proven leadership in law and a record of client testimonials, our results tell the story. We are always proactive and we take the time to provide personalized advocacy. Along with other things, our Columbia, SC semi-truck accident lawyer is ready to:

  • Hear what you have to say and answer questions during a free case review;
  • Investigate your truck accident—gathering all relevant evidence;
  • Handle the personal injury paperwork and settlement negotiations; and
  • Take aggressive legal action focused on getting justice and the maximum recovery.

The Serious Nature of Accidents Involving Large Trucks in Columbia

The formidable distinction in size and weight between large commercial motor vehicles such as tractor trailer and delivery trucks, cement mixers, and standard passenger cars plays a big role in understanding the challenges unique to truck accident cases. A “large truck” weighs at least 10,000 pounds, with fully loaded tractor trailers legally reaching an astonishing 80,000 pounds. This stark mass contrast results in a disproportionate impact during collisions, leading to increased damage to the smaller car and heightened risks of injury or fatality for its occupants.

In 2021, 72 percent of the 5,788 fatalities in large-truck traffic crashes in the U.S. were occupants of other vehicles involved. This highlights the heightened vulnerability of those in smaller cars. Moreover, determining liability in commercial truck accident cases introduces complexities absent in two-car collisions, involving multiple parties and the aggressive tactics of insurance companies representing truck driver and trucking company interests.

Challenges in Columbia Truck Accident Claims

In Columbia, establishing liability in large truck accident cases is a detailed process. To build a strong case, we meticulously gather evidence, tapping into police reports, witness statements, and insights from skilled investigators. Beyond standard procedures, we delve into records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), dealing with regulations on electronic logging devices, loading training, maintenance routines, weight limitations, and hours of service.

We also examine the truck’s black box data when available. If negotiations fall short, our preparedness for litigation remains a steadfast commitment to securing the optimal outcome for Columbia, SC, clients. We have a proven track record of winning truck accident cases.

Common Types of Truck Accidents We Handle

Our experienced truck accident attorney has handled many types of vehicle accidents involving large trucks. Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer swings out to the side. Tractor trailer accidents involving delivery trucks are also common. Commercial transport accidents can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment.

We understand the specific challenges of each type of truck accident case. Whether your truck crash involved else’s negligence or negligent truck drivers, we can help you recover damages.

Truck Accident Claims in Columbia, SC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do I Need a Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer?

The best step that you can take to protect your legal rights and your interests is to consult with a truck accident lawyer. A Columbia truck accident attorney will have the knowledge needed to effectively understand complex rules, identify all potential at-fault liable parties, and handle settlement negotiations. With an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can seek compensation and fair money that you deserve.

Q. Should I Give a Statement to the Truck Company’s Insurer?

No. Avoid providing a recorded statement to an insurance company adjuster until you have had the opportunity to consult with a truck accident attorney. Insurance companies are not on your side. They will try to use your words against you to deny insurance coverage or reduce the value of your truck accident claim. Work with insurance companies through a lawyer, and avoid admitting fault at all costs.

Q. Will Federal Truck Regulations Play a Role in My Case?

Federal regulations may play a big role in your case. While truck accident injury claims are brought under state law, many commercial trucks in South Carolina are subject to federal safety regulations. These rules establish standards for driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and operating procedures. If the truck driver or company violated these regulations, that could be evidence of negligence. A negligent truck or trucking company can be held legally responsible for a crash.

Q. What is Comparative Negligence?

Comparative negligence is a legal principle that apportions fault between all parties involved in an accident. Your potential recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault. South Carolina operates under a modified comparative negligence standard. For example, imagine that you sustained $50,000 in damages in a truck accident in Richland County. However, due to speeding, you are held 30 percent liable for the crash. Under South Carolina law, you would be liable for 30 percent of your damages—that means you would be liable for $15,000. Your recovery would be limited to $35,000.

Q. Is My Truck Accident Injury Claim Likely to Be Settled?

That is the outcome of many truck accident injury cases. Indeed, a trial verdict is only rendered in a very small share of personal injury claims—including truck accident cases—in South Carolina. A full and fair settlement can be a great outcome. Still, a trial is always possible. You should be represented by a trial-tested Columbia, SC truck accident lawyer.

Q. How Is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident in Columbia, SC?

Fault in a truck accident is determined based on evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and sometimes the use of accident reconstruction experts. Columbia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning each party’s degree of fault is assessed, and compensation is adjusted accordingly.

Q. Can I Still Pursue a Claim if The Truck Driver Left The Scene of The Accident in Columbia, SC?

Yes, but it complicates matters. Report the hit-and-run to law enforcement immediately and consult with a Columbia attorney to explore your legal options.

Q. Is It Possible To Settle a Truck Accident Case Out of Court?

Yes, many cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary.

Contact Our Columbia, SC Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Free Consultation​

In Columbia, overcoming these obstacles and obtaining rightful financial recovery following a large truck accident is achievable. At Hart Law, our experienced truck accident attorney is skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced. We are standing by, ready to advocate for your legal rights and your interests each step of the way.

If you or your family member was involved in a commercial truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today for your free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Our law office handles truck accident claims in Columbia, Richland County, Lexington County, and throughout the region. Dial (803) 771-7701 to speak with our experienced attorney today.