Trucks are a vital cog in the economy, hauling freight in and out of the state. Motorists who cross paths with one of these vehicles can end up with major damage in any collision. Occupants can also suffer a range of serious injuries, some of which are permanent.

Hart Law is an established personal injury law firm with years of experience in personal injury law. Our Lexington truck accident attorney has the knowledge necessary to bring an injury claim for financial compensation. Call us today to speak with a Lexington truck accident attorney about your legal rights.

Expensive Accidents

Large trucks like tractor-trailers weigh 10 or 20 times more than the typical passenger vehicle. Due to their size and weight, a tractor-trailer can destroy lighter vehicles. Passengers buckled inside can suffer horrifying injuries.

Expensive medical care is just one of the reasons these accidents are so costly. Unable to work, many people cannot earn an income, so they cannot cover car repairs or pay other expenses, like their rent.

The typical truck accident can cost victims and their families more than $100,000. You should not have to suffer financially when someone else is liable for your accident and injuries. If your injuries affect your ability to work or care for your family, you deserve full compensation.

Common Reasons Trucks Crash

Truckers receive specialized training to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License. Accidents should be rare, but we unfortunately see many wrecks due to:

  • Trucker fatigue
  • Inadequate training or supervision
  • Drug use
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Driver confusion
  • Mechanical defects
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Unbalanced loads

Truck accidents happen for many reasons, and sometimes more than one factor is involved. A truck driver might have been tired AND speeding. A trucking company might have pushed a driver past legal hour limits. Faulty equipment or mechanical failures can also cause a truck driver to lose control, especially on busy Lexington, SC, highways.

Large commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers and commercial trucks are harder to stop and harder to steer than regular cars. When something goes wrong, smaller vehicles nearby often take the worst of it. Serious accidents involving commercial motor vehicles can result in devastating consequences for everyone involved.

If you were hurt, you might have no idea why the accident happened. That’s okay. You can hire an experienced lawyer to perform an investigation. Reach out to our law firm for assistance.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a truck accident is more complicated than in a regular car accident. There are often several responsible parties who may share fault. Responsible parties accountable for your losses can include:

  • The truck driver, if they were speeding, fatigued, or distracted
  • The trucking company, if they failed to train the driver or maintain the vehicle
  • A maintenance contractor, if faulty equipment or poor repairs caused the crash
  • A loading company, if cargo was improperly loaded or not secured properly
  • An independent contractor hired to haul the load

Insurance companies and insurance carriers for large trucking industry operators often work hard to reduce or deny claims. They may argue that the truck driver was an independent contractor to avoid responsibility. Our Lexington truck accident lawyers know these tactics and how to push back against them.

Driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data from the truck can all be used as evidence. These records can show if the truck driver was over their legal driving hours, if the commercial vehicle had known problems, or if the trucking company ignored safety rules. Act quickly after a truck accident so this evidence is not lost or destroyed.

Types of Truck Accidents We Handle

Truck accidents take many forms. Some of the most common types our Lexington truck accident lawyers handle include:

  • Tractor trailer accidents, including rollovers and wide-turn crashes
  • Jackknife accidents, where the trailer swings out and blocks multiple lanes
  • Rear end collisions, which can be deadly when a large truck hits a stopped car
  • Head on collisions caused by trucks crossing the center line
  • Commercial truck accidents involving delivery vehicles and other commercial trucks
  • Crashes where large trucks hit other vehicles because of blind spots

Each type of serious truck accident comes with its own set of challenges. SC truck accident lawyers at Hart Law have handled all of these and understand what it takes to build a strong case.

Are You Entitled to Compensation?

An accident victim can receive a settlement when someone else’s wrongful or negligent conduct is to blame for the collision. These are complicated events. The trucker might deny having driven carelessly and blame you for running a red light or tailgating. We can begin gathering evidence to prove who is legally at fault.

Most evidence for truck accidents includes witnesses, video of the crash, physical evidence, and data from the truck. Our firm is dedicated to seeking fair compensation, so please document your injuries by going to the hospital after the crash. Hold onto copies of all medical bills and insurance statements.

We usually request:

  • Economic damages for medical expenses, medical bills, repairs to your car, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses. These damages have a definite dollar value.
  • Non-economic damages to cover harder-to-define losses, like physical pain, bodily injury, and emotional distress. These general damages are more subjective in nature.

We negotiate aggressively for the most compensation allowed by South Carolina law. Call us to find out more about how we negotiate settlements.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Lexington, SC

The steps you take right after a truck accident can make a big difference in your truck accident claim. Here is what you should do:

  1. Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries do not show up immediately.
  2. Document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, other drivers involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
  3. Get contact information from witnesses.
  4. Do not talk to insurance companies or sign anything before speaking to a truck accident lawyer.
  5. Contact a Lexington truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Insurance companies often reach out quickly after a serious truck accident. They may offer a fast payout that sounds good, but is far less than what you actually deserve. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our law firm is ready to take your truck accident case to court. Do not let the claims process push you into accepting less than you need for financial support during your recovery.

South Carolina has strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim. Waiting too long can hurt your case or cause you to lose your claim altogether. Talk to one of our SC truck accident lawyers today to understand your options.

Critical Deadlines for Truck Accident Cases

Our statute of limitations can be found at South Carolina Code § 15-3-530. It gives injured victims three years to file a lawsuit. If you go over this deadline, then a judge can dismiss the case, meaning you will not receive compensation. This is one deadline you absolutely cannot miss.

Legal matters like these move fast. Evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and black box data can be overwritten. Our Lexington truck accident attorneys will act quickly to preserve everything needed for your case. The sooner you call, the better your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve.

FAQs about Lexington Truck Accidents

Is a lawyer required to bring a case?

No. The state does not require that you hire a lawyer. But there are many advantages to hiring an experienced truck accident attorney for your team. We can find evidence to reconstruct the crash, allowing you to focus on recovery. Legal representation from a skilled Lexington truck accident lawyer can mean the difference between a low offer and a settlement that actually covers your losses.

Will my case go to trial?

That is unlikely. Hart Law can negotiate a settlement with the defendant in most cases. But our firm is not afraid of going into court to litigate a claim thanks to our ample experience in front of judges and juries.

Can I receive a settlement if I was partially at fault?

Many of our clients receive a settlement even if they were speeding or on their phones. South Carolina has a modified comparative negligence law. You are only prohibited from receiving anything if you are more at fault (51% or more responsibility). If you are 50% or less, you can still request compensation, though the amount you receive is reduced.

How long will my case take to settle?

The settlement process differs for everyone. We typically settle cases within a year. Our firm kicks off the process by making a demand for compensation, which the defendant usually rejects by proposing a counteroffer. Negotiation is a complicated back-and-forth process.

What if the trucking company says the driver was an independent contractor?

This is a common defense used by trucking companies to avoid paying claims. Even if the truck driver was labeled an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable depending on how much control they had over the driver’s work. Our Lexington truck accident lawyers know how to dig into the legal process and challenge these arguments.

How is a truck accident different from a car accident?

Car accidents and truck accidents both involve vehicles on the road, but commercial truck accidents are much more complex. A regular car accident usually involves two drivers and one insurance policy. A truck accident claim can involve the truck driver, the trucking company, insurance carriers, loading crews, and more. Commercial motor vehicles are also regulated by federal safety rules that do not apply to regular cars. These extra layers make it important to hire a truck accident lawyer who understands the trucking industry.

What evidence is important in a truck accident case?

Strong truck accident cases rely on many types of evidence. Driver logs can show if the truck driver broke federal hour limits. Maintenance records can reveal if the commercial vehicle had known problems. Black box data from the truck records speed, braking, and other details from just before the crash. Witness statements, photos, and police reports also play a role. A Lexington truck accident lawyer can help gather and protect all of this before it disappears.

What are the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents?

Commercial vehicle accidents often come down to driver error, equipment failure, or pressure from the trucking company to meet deadlines. Distracted driving, fatigue, and speeding are among the top causes. Improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit and cause a truck driver to lose control. Jackknife accidents and tractor-trailer accidents often happen when braking is delayed or when a driver swerves to avoid something. Significant injuries and even death can result from these crashes.

Speak with a Lexington Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Hart Law has built a solid reputation in personal injury law through zealous advocacy on behalf of injured victims. We offer a free consultation so you can learn about your rights at no cost. To schedule a free initial consultation, reach out today at (803) 771-7701.

Our Lexington truck accident lawyers serve clients throughout Lexington, SC, and the surrounding areas. Whether you are facing a complex commercial truck accident claim or need guidance on the legal process, our law firm is here for you. We will hold the responsible party accountable and fight for the financial support you need to move forward.