Summerville Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyer in Summerville, South Carolina

Fully loaded tractor-trailers outweigh other vehicles on Summerville roads by tens of thousands of pounds. The massive size of commercial trucks means that they can cause significant harm when accidents occur. Truck accident victims can suffer life-altering injuries, which can sometimes even be deadly. If you have been injured after being hit by a truck, an experienced Summerville truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation from the at-fault parties.

Thousands of People Are Killed in Truck Accidents Each Year

More than 4,950 people died in truck accidents nationwide in 2018. Around 151,000 people suffered injuries that year, marking a 2 percent rise from 2017. A little over 8 percent of all fatal crashes in South Carolina in 2018 involved trucks, which was below the national average of 9.4 percent.

When truck accidents occur, the force of impact means that victims who are struck tend to suffer more severe injuries than truck drivers. In 2018, 72 percent of people who sustained injuries in large truck accidents were passengers or drivers of other vehicles, compared to just 26 percent of truck occupants. Other truck accident victims included bicyclists and pedestrians.

How Steinberg Law Firm Can Help You

At Steinberg Law Firm, we understand that your number one priority is recovering from your injuries and getting your life back on track in the aftermath of a truck accident. Our compassionate Summerville truck accident lawyers are committed to getting you the maximum compensation to cover all your losses. 

It is not uncommon for trucking companies to arm themselves with teams of lawyers to fight their cases and avoid paying what you are owed. They may try to deny liability or offer a low settlement amount that does not cover the full extent of your injuries. Steinberg Law Firm’s decades of experience means that we are more than equipped to stand up to them and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. We are also ready to go to trial if necessary.

What sets truck accidents apart from other types of crashes is that they require in-depth knowledge of South Carolina’s complex commercial vehicle regulations, making it all the more important to have qualified legal representation. Our truck accident attorneys will gather evidence to support your claim, including witness accounts, details from the crash scene and input from experts like accident reconstructionist specialists. Steinberg Law Firm is with you every step of the legal process, always acting in your best interests.

Pursuing Compensation for Truck Accidents

Anyone who is involved in a truck accident is likely to incur expensive medical bills. Along with sustaining painful physical injuries, you may also suffer emotional trauma. Many other costs can result from a crash.

The Steinberg Law Firm is here to help you recover damages for your injuries from the at-fault party. While the type of compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the collision, here are some damages that are typically awarded in Summerville truck accident cases:

• Medical expenses: Includes hospital stays, physical therapy, surgery and other related costs.
• Lost wages: Severe injuries can keep you away from work until you recover or even permanently reduce your earning potential.
• Property damage: Because trucks are so large and heavy, they can cause serious damage upon impact with another vehicle.
• Pain and suffering: Both physical and emotional aspects are taken into account.

While punitive damages are not common, they are awarded in some instances that involve reckless conduct to punish negligent drivers or trucking companies. If a truck accident is fatal, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover funeral and burial expenses, among other losses. Our Summerville truck accident lawyers will thoroughly examine your accident’s circumstances and determine the amount of damages you may be entitled to recover in a personal injury claim.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents can cause debilitating injuries, including permanent disabilities and disfigurement. They are also more likely to result in death than collisions that involve other types of motor vehicles. Here are some commonly reported truck accident injuries:

• Lacerations
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord damage
• Head injuries
• Broken bones
• Loss of limbs
• Soft tissue damage
• Burns

What Causes Summerville Truck Accidents?

Several parties may share the blame when a truck accident occurs, including the truck driver and their employer. Trucking companies have a duty to maintain their trucks properly and conduct regular inspections to check for worn tires, faulty brakes and mechanical problems that may lead to collisions. Overloading cargo can affect a truck’s stability, making it unsafe to drive. Additionally, it is illegal to falsify logbooks to make it seem like drivers are following rules that limit how long they can drive each day.

Sometimes external circumstances like geographical features or poor weather can play a role in truck accidents. Rain, snow and other hazardous conditions may cause drivers to lose control of their trucks.

While many different factors can lead to truck accidents, driver negligence is often responsible for dangerous collisions. Truckers who carelessly flout safety rules or drive recklessly put others on the road at risk. Here are some of the most common types of negligence identified among truck drivers:

• Speeding: Commercial trucks’ weight makes it hard to stop abruptly to avoid hazards or prevent collisions when driving at high speeds.
• Distracted driving: Using GPS, talking on cellphones, eating, drinking and other activities can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
• Intoxicated driving: Truckers who drive for extended periods may use stimulants or other substances to stay alert. Driving after consuming drugs or alcohol is dangerous.
• Fatigued driving: Many trucking companies set demanding schedules for their drivers. Working long hours without breaks can increase the risk of accidents.

Truck Accident Liability

If you have been injured in a Summerville truck accident, you may be wondering who is responsible for it and how you can hold them accountable. Unfortunately, accidents that involve commercial vehicles like trucks are not always straightforward as multiple parties may be at fault.

It is important to make sure you are pursuing compensation from the right sources. While a negligent driver who caused your accident may be liable, their employer could also be to blame. The trucking company’s negligence may have played a role in the crash. When determining liability, courts examine various factors, such as whether the company used proper driver hiring practices or whether trucks were regularly inspected.

Some cases may involve a third party. For example, if a defective part caused a truck accident, the manufacturer may be liable for your injuries.

At Steinberg Law Firm, we recognize that trucking companies will do everything they can to avoid liability for an accident. Our truck accident lawyers know exactly how to fight back. We will evaluate your case’s details and make sure your personal injury claim is filed against all the parties responsible for your injuries.

Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney at Steinberg Law Firm

If you have suffered serious injuries in a Summerville truck accident, get in touch with the experienced truck accident lawyers at Steinberg Law Firm as soon as possible. We are available to answer all your questions and discuss your legal options for pursuing compensation. Contact us today to learn more.