Multiple highways cross Dentsville, so tractor-trailers and other large trucks are a common sight. Trucks also pull into downtown to unload produce, furniture, and other products.

Any collision with a truck is potentially deadly, regardless of the truck’s speed. Motorists can suffer life-changing injuries in a rollover, override, or underride accident. Contact Hart Law to schedule a free consultation with a Dentsville truck accident lawyer. Our firm negotiates compensation for injured victims, and we might be able to help you, too.

Truck accident cases are some of the most complex personal injury cases there are. Multiple liable parties, large insurance companies, and aggressive legal teams make it hard for injured victims to recover compensation on their own. Our truck accident attorneys are here to protect your best interests and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Common Truck Accidents

Our firm can assist with accidents involving any type of commercial truck, including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, fuel trucks, cement trucks, delivery vans, and more. We also handle accidents involving semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles that travel through Richland County and the surrounding areas.

These trucks are involved in some common accidents:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Overrides
  • Underrides
  • Rollovers
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Backing-up accidents
  • Accidents caused by distracted driving, cell phones, or aggressive driving behaviors

A smaller and lighter car or SUV could end up totaled in a crash. The trucker might be to blame, but you will need solid evidence to help us visualize what happened. Evidence in truck accident cases can include police reports, black box data, truck maintenance records, and witness accounts from others who were in nearby vehicles.

Road conditions, weather, and cargo loading all play a role in many truck crashes. Our legal team reviews every possible factor to make sure no responsible parties are overlooked.

Understanding Liability and Truck Accidents

Before we can demand someone pay compensation, we need to show they are liable for the accident. Accordingly, a thorough investigation is necessary to really understand how the accident unfolded and who is responsible.

Some common defendants include:

  • Truck drivers. The trucker could be distracted, fatigued, or drunk. Other accidents are caused by dangerous maneuvers, such as tailgating or illegal lane changes. Truckers should have liability insurance to cover the accidents they cause.
  • Trucking company. The trucker’s employer is vicariously liable simply by virtue of the employment relationship. The trucking company might also be liable if the truck was in a dangerous condition and the company refused to repair it.
  • Loading company. A different company could load the freight and do a poor job. Unbalanced or unsecured freight can cause a rollover or another accident.
  • Mechanics. Trucks require regular maintenance. A mechanic could have failed to do their job with sufficient care, leading to a crash.
  • Manufacturer. A defective part could lead to a crash due to a design flaw or weak materials. We might sue the manufacturer.

Truck accidents are unique because there could be multiple defendants. Contact our firm so we can begin an investigation. Identifying all liable parties early in the process is key to recovering the maximum amount of compensation available.

Insurance adjusters for the trucking company and their insurance company begin gathering evidence immediately after a crash. They work to protect the company, not you. Having experienced truck accident attorneys on your side from the start puts you in a much stronger position.

Settlements for Serious Injuries

Our goal is simple: to win fair compensation for our clients. Trucking companies and their large insurance providers do everything possible to avoid paying a meaningful settlement. They start gathering evidence immediately following a crash, and they are not above blaming the victim for the collision.

Truck accident victims often face a serious financial burden. Medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care costs pile up fast, especially after serious injuries that keep you out of work for months. Getting full and fair compensation matters for your recovery and your family’s well-being.

Our firm can fight to receive compensation for:

  • Repairs to your car, SUV, or pickup truck
  • Emergency medical care, including ambulance transportation
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Surgical costs
  • Ongoing medical treatment, such as physical therapy and pain medication
  • Lost wages if you cannot return to work immediately
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

How much can you receive in a settlement? There are many factors, including the severity of your injuries and any comparative fault. If you are partially responsible for the crash, you may still recover compensation under South Carolina law, though your amount could be reduced.

Dentsville Truck Accident FAQs

We have collected some of the most common questions regarding truck cases in Dentsville.

Where do I file my case?

It depends on many factors, such as the location of the crash and where the trucking company is headquartered. Let an attorney review where to file a lawsuit to protect your rights. A Columbia truck accident lawyer familiar with courts in Richland County can help identify the appropriate venue for your truck accident claim.

Can I receive compensation if the trucker was an independent contractor?

Yes, it’s still possible to receive compensation. Trucking companies are typically not liable when the trucker is an independent contractor instead of an employee. Still, there are other ways to receive compensation, such as suing the truck driver directly, who should have insurance. An experienced truck accident attorney can review the employment relationship and identify every available path to recover compensation.

Will I testify at trial?

Most of our truck accident cases settle outside of court. We usually file a lawsuit before the deadline to protect your rights while busily working to negotiate a settlement. By settling, our clients receive compensation much faster and without the stress of a trial. Nonetheless, some defendants refuse to settle, and Hart Law is ready to litigate in court all the way to a jury trial. We can explain more about the process of testifying if that concerns you.

What is the deadline for filing my case?

South Carolina Code § 15-3-530 is the statute of limitations. It provides victims with three years to file a lawsuit; otherwise, a judge can dismiss their case. Do not wait to take legal action. The sooner truck accident attorneys can gather evidence and begin building your claim, the better your chances of a successful outcome.

What should I do right after a truck accident?

The steps you take right after a crash affect your ability to recover compensation. Here is what to do:

  1. Call 911 immediately. A law enforcement officer needs to respond, file a report, and document the scene.
  2. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries are not obvious at first.
  3. Document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
  4. Collect contact information from the truck driver and any witnesses.
  5. Do not speak to insurance adjusters for the trucking company without first contacting truck accident attorneys.
  6. Contact a Dentsville truck accident attorney as soon as possible so your legal team can gather evidence before it disappears.

Black box data from the truck, truck maintenance records, and cell phone records from the truck driver are examples of evidence that must be secured quickly. Trucking companies may move fast to control this information.

How is a truck accident different from a regular car accident?

Truck accident cases involve more complexity than a typical car accident claim. Commercial vehicles are subject to federal and state regulations, and the injuries from large truck crashes are often far more severe. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and federal agencies like the FMCSA set rules for how large trucks must be operated and maintained. Violations of these rules can be powerful evidence in a truck accident lawsuit. Truck accident victims also often face larger insurance companies with dedicated legal teams who handle these claims every day. This is why working with experienced injury lawyers who focus on truck accident cases makes such a big difference.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

Possibly. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found partially responsible for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still take legal action and recover damages. Our truck accident attorneys work hard to minimize any fault assigned to you so you can recover the full compensation available.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dentsville Truck Accident Lawyer

Hart Law opened our offices to provide top-shelf legal representation to accident victims in South Carolina. No one has your back after a painful accident, not the trucking company or even an insurance company. You need an experienced law firm to step up and demand fair treatment and compensation.

Our truck accident attorneys serve injured victims in Dentsville, Richland County, Downtown Columbia, and throughout South Carolina. Whether you were hurt by a tractor-trailer, a semi-truck, or another commercial truck on the highway, our accident lawyers are ready to help. We fight to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for the suffering, loss, and harm they cause, and we work in your best interests every step of the way.

Call Hart Law today at (803) 771-7701. You can schedule a free, private consultation with a lawyer. We will answer your questions and discuss what steps to take next to solidify your claim. Let our legal team begin working to secure the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and everything else this truck accident has cost you.