South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney
What to do when involved in a truck accident in South Carolina?
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South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident caused by a tractor trailer crash, 18-wheeler crash, or other commercial motor vehicle accident can change you or your loved one’s life. We’re here to hold truck drivers and the trucking companies accountable. You or your loved one may have injuries and be in an indescribable amount of pain, be unable to work or provide for family, and may require considerable medical treatment. Keibler Law Group offers South Carolina truck accident legal services, we’re understanding with the situation you are in, and we will help you get the best result and the compensation that you and your family need.
Often times when people or their loved ones are involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, 18-wheeler, commercial vehicle or other heavy vehicle, their first thought might be to file an insurance claim with their insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. While filing with insurance is often the best way to recover compensation, we strongly recommend you do not negotiate with the insurance companies alone. Insurance companies’ bests interests are not your best interests – insurance companies’ best interests are those of their shareholders. We know because Chase spent years successfully representing both insurance companies and plaintiffs against insurance companies.
A truck wreck attorney in South Carolina can help you obtain the most compensation for your case. At Keibler Law Group, we only take a fraction of cases that come into our office which allows us to thoroughly investigate each car accident and car wreck case we take on. We know how insurance companies operate and how they value claims – we know how to place you in the best position to negotiate a successful outcome for your case, and we will take your case to court and argue before a judge and jury if we’re unable to reach an agreement with the insurance providers.
Chase has successfully represented plaintiffs in multimillion dollar cases. He also has experience fighting both for and against the insurance companies. He knows how to value cases, how to handle aggressive insurance companies, adjusters, and their attorneys. If you’re ready to send information to see if Chase can help with your case, you can Fill Out Our Intake Form by submitting a request or calling (803) 830-7241.
We pride ourselves in prompt, thoughtful communication and technology. We have our own policy about it! When we say client-first, we mean it. If you prefer to meet in person, we will meet at your house, your office, or at one of our many available offices throughout South Carolina. If you prefer to handle most dealings virtually via phone, text, email, or webex, we’re happy to do that too. We even have technologies for you to sign documents, upload electronic data, and notarize forms virtually. Call today to speak to an experienced South Carolina truck accident attorney.
Our systems are built with you in mind. If and once we take on your case, you will be provided a secure link to an app where you can see your case progress, look at your important documents, upload documents, and message your attorney. If you’re interested in how our systems work, contact and experienced truck accident attorney and we’ll send you a care package with all of our information.
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- Truck accidents
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6 Things to do When You’re in a Truck Accident in South Carolina or North Carolina.
What Should You Do After A Truck Accident in South Carolina or North Carolina?
If you are in a crash with a another car, a tractor trailer, 18-wheeler, or other commercial motor vehicle, whether you are driving or a passenger, there are a few steps you should take. We understand you may not be able to do all of this because you are hurt or in shock. We never judge our clients for doing what they need to do after a crash.
If you are able to do so after a collision, you should:
- Call 911 or Your Local Police Department – You want law enforcement and emergency responders to arrive as soon as possible to provide medical care and control traffic to reduce the risk of further accidents and injuries.
- Get Medical Care – You may be taken by ambulance to a local hospital or emergency room. If you do not go to the ER by ambulance, have a friend or family member take you to there or to a trusted physician for a full exam. You should see a doctor as soon as possible after a collision. Often times, people in car accidents may have injuries they cannot see.
- Exchange Insurance Information – Ask for the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance company, and insurance policy number. If you or your loved one could not exchange this information, don’t worry. We can still help.
- Collect Evidence – There is evidence you can gather at the scene of a collision that can be very helpful. Use a phone to take pictures and video of the crash and surrounding property damage. Also, ask for witnesses’ names and contact information.
- Keep a Journal – After the accident, keep a journal or daily log to record how you feel and what you do each day. Include the activities you can or cannot do including going to work, household chores, playing with children or friends, or any other activities. This may help refresh your memory months later of how you felt.
- Call a Carolina Truck Accident Attorney – When you are in a car crash and suffer injuries, the best way to protect yourself is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer.
If you are able, we recommend keeping a journal or daily log after a truck accident. Journals help you remember what you may have felt at the time of the accident, help you recall details, feelings, your surroundings, and possible struggles you were facing. A journal can be in many forms – it can be handwritten, typed, spoken on your phone, video recorded. Journals can also help with mental health after an accident.
Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident South Carolina?
Who is “at fault” in my Truck accident?
It is important to identify who was at fault for a truck crash because you want to determine whose actions directly led to the collision and your injuries? Usually, this is clear. You know whose vehicle collided with your own while you obeyed the rules of the road. If it is not immediately clear, a thorough car investigation should provide you with answers. Often times police reports will denote who “contributed” or did “not contribute” to the accident and that may be a good starting point.
However, liability and fault for a truck accident are two different issues. You also need to identify which party is liable for your injuries. In other words, who is legally responsible for compensating you? This could be the other driver’s insurance company, their employer, the bar that over-served the other driver, the doctor that over prescribed them, or possibly the truck manufacturer. Liability can differ for every case, which is why it is important to work with an experienced Carolina truck accident attorney.
What is Negligence in South Carolina?
The person at fault for the collision is the person whose negligence caused the truck crash. Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would under the circumstances. While driving, a reasonable truck driver would be careful, they would obey traffic laws, they could be cautious to avoid crashes, and they wouldn’t be distracted, the list goes on. When a truck driver is negligent, they are careless. They act in a way that increases the risk of a crash.
The negligent truck driver may be liable for your injuries. By pursuing a third-party insurance claim against their auto insurance policy, or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against them, you can seek compensation for your physical, psychological, and financial injuries. An additional party, however, also may be liable for your injuries either because they contributed to the crash, or because of South Carolina’s liability laws.
For example, the truck driver’s company that he or she is working for may be liable for its employee’s actions. This is called vicarious liability. In addition, the truck driver’s employer may be liable for its own actions or wrongdoings. For example, it may not have enforced certain trucking regulations, it may have negligently hired the truck driver, or it may have put the driver on the road for too many hours. There are a variety of reasons both the truck driver and their employer may be liable for damages you suffered as a result of their negligence.
Truck Owner Liability in South Carolina
Unfortunately, truck accidents are increasing at an alarming rate. Trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and commercial vehicles all must have certain types of insurance to cover them in the event they get into a collision. This is because these vehicles are massive – typically weighing around 80,000 lbs. If a commercial motor vehicle weighs 10,001 pounds or more, it must carry certain insurance coverage and abide by federal regulations. Contact a South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney to see if you have a case against the truck owner.
Employer Liability in South Carolina
If the at-fault truck driver was working at the time of the crash – most times they are – then their employer is typically liable for the crash and your injuries. By working with an experienced South Carolina truck accident attorney, you can pursue compensation from the businesses’ liability policy.
Employers may have acted negligently, as well. For example, it may not train its drivers on safety controls, it may have a relaxed corporate safety policy or fail to enforce it, it may have negligently hired the truck driver, it may have failed to follow regulations. There are a number of reasons why the truck driver’s employer may have caused your injuries.
Contact a South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney to see if you have a case against the truck driver’s employer.
If you were injured in a truck accident, the first step is usually to pursue compensation through an insurance claim. Insurers require you to notify them of a claim within a reasonable amount of time. This is something you need to do right away. If you wait several months, your claim will likely be denied.
You may need to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. This you have more time to do, but still not an infinite amount of time. In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Carolina
Truck accidents arise due to all types of negligent, careless, reckless, and malicious conduct, including:
- Speeding
- Exceeding federal regulated hours of service / tired driving
- Following too closely
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Obstacles in the road, including construction equipment
- Texting and driving
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Road rage
- Reckless, aggressive, and dangerous maneuvers
- Bad weather
Common Types of Truck Accidents in South Carolina
At Keibler Law Group, we help South Carolina residents recover from all types of collisions, including:
- Rear-End Accidents
- Side Impact “T-Bone” Crashes
- Side Swipe Accidents in the Same and Opposite Direction
- Run Off the Road Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Left-Turn Wrecks
- U-Turn Accidents
- Hit and Run Collisions
- Blind Spot Crashes
- SUV Rollover Accidents
- Parking Lot Collisions
- Low-Speed Wrecks
Truck Accident Settlements in South Carolina
Typically, truck accident injuries and property damages claims are resolved in settlement agreements. This is when the insurance company and/or the truck driver’s employer agrees to cover your costs and damages including property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering. In return, you agree to not file a lawsuit against the truck driver and employer or to dismiss an ongoing lawsuit.
You should not accept insurance company’s lowball offers. Insurers may try to get you to accept less than you deserve. Hiring an attorney may increase the insurance company’s likelihood to be reasonable.
In the event the insurance company or truck driver’s employer fail to offer a reasonable settlement, Keibler Law Group is prepared to take your case to trial to get the money you deserve. An experienced truck accident attorney can evaluate your claim and get the most money for your pain and suffering.
Depending on its weight and purpose, this vehicle above may be considered a commercial motor vehicle subject to additional rules.
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