Lexington Truck Accident Lawyer
Tractor-trailer accidents on South Carolina highways can be devastating, especially when they happen close to home. In Lexington, where I-20, U.S. Route 1, and Highway 378 converge, heavy commercial truck traffic is part of daily life. When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences are often catastrophic. Victims may face severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and long-term financial hardship.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Lexington, SC, the experienced attorneys at Stewart Law Offices are here to help. We fight for full and fair compensation and provide compassionate legal support every step of the way.
How Our Lexington Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys Can Help
After a collision with an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer, one of the most important things to know is this: the trucking company’s insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their priority is protecting profits, not your recovery. They may:
- Shift blame onto you or other drivers.
- Pressure you into giving a damaging recorded statement.
- Offer a quick but unfair settlement.
- Delay your claim in hopes you’ll give up.
Without skilled representation, it’s easy to be taken advantage of. At Stewart Law Offices, we have more than 30 years of experience taking on trucking companies and their insurers. We know their tactics — and how to beat them.
Some of our past tractor-trailer accident results include:
- $3.5 million in a tractor-trailer accident case
- $3.0 million in a semi-truck wreck
- $1.1 million in a truck accident claim
(Results vary by case. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.)
Our Lexington tractor-trailer accident lawyers can:
- Investigate the crash and collect critical evidence.
- Identify all liable parties — driver, carrier, cargo loaders, or manufacturers.
- Calculate the full scope of your losses, including future care.
- Negotiate aggressively for the settlement you deserve.
- Take your case to trial if necessary.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Lexington
Because of their massive size and weight, tractor-trailers present unique risks on the road. Some of the most common causes of these wrecks include:
- Driver Fatigue: Federal hours-of-service violations leading to exhausted drivers
- Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, GPS navigation, and other distractions
- Speeding: Excessive speed for the weather or traffic conditions
- Improper Loading: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo causing instability
- Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions
- Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and ice on Lexington’s highways
- Inadequate Training: Insufficient driver education and safety protocols
- Aggressive Driving: Following too closely, improper lane changes, and road rage
Trucking companies are required to follow both federal trucking regulations (FMCSA) and South Carolina traffic laws. When they cut corners to save time or money, innocent drivers pay the price.
Dangerous Truck Accident Locations in Lexington
Based on our experience representing tractor-trailer accident victims throughout Lexington County, we’ve identified several high-risk areas where serious commercial vehicle accidents frequently occur:
High-Risk Interstate Corridors
- Interstate 20 West: Heavy truck traffic heading to and from Georgia creates dangerous conditions, especially during rush hour
- Interstate 26 North/South: Major freight corridor connecting Charleston to the upstate, with numerous truck stops and weigh stations
- I-20/I-26 Interchange: Complex interchange near Columbia where multiple highways converge, creating confusion and congestion
- US Highway 1 (Two Notch Road): Major commercial corridor with numerous truck-related businesses and heavy industrial traffic
- US Highway 378: Connects Lexington to Columbia and sees significant commercial vehicle traffic
Urban and Commercial Areas
Many truck accidents in Lexington occur in commercial and urban areas where large vehicles navigate narrow streets, busy intersections, and congested shopping centers. These areas present unique challenges for truck drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are complex because multiple parties may share responsibility. Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver, if they were negligent or reckless.
- The trucking company, for unsafe schedules, poor hiring, or inadequate training.
- Cargo loaders, if improperly loaded freight, contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance providers, for failing to properly service the vehicle.
- Truck manufacturers, if a defect caused the crash.
A skilled Lexington tractor-trailer accident lawyer will investigate thoroughly, reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and accident reports from the South Carolina Highway Patrol to determine liability.
Types of Injuries in Lexington Truck Accidents
Truck accident victims often suffer severe or permanent injuries. Common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures
- Severe burns from fires or explosions
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
These injuries often require emergency treatment at facilities like Lexington Medical Center and may involve long-term rehabilitation, surgeries, or permanent disability.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medications).
- Lost wages if you cannot work during recovery.
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your job.
- Pain and suffering for physical and emotional harm.
- Property damage to your vehicle.
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one.
Insurance companies often undervalue these claims. Having a lawyer ensures your settlement reflects the true impact of your injuries.
Federal Trucking Regulations and Your Case
The commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Violations of these regulations can be crucial to establishing liability in your truck accident case.
Key Federal Regulations That Impact Truck Accident Cases
- Hours of Service Rules: Strict limits on how long drivers can operate without rest
- Vehicle Inspection Requirements: Mandatory pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections
- Driver Qualification Standards: Training, licensing, and medical certification requirements
- Drug and Alcohol Testing: Pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing protocols
- Cargo Securement Rules: Proper loading and securing of freight to prevent shifting
- Vehicle Maintenance Standards: Regular maintenance and record-keeping requirements
Our experienced Lexington truck accident attorney will investigate whether any of these rules were broken and hold the responsible parties accountable.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Lexington
The actions you take immediately following a truck accident can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate Steps at the Scene
- Ensure your safety and call 911 immediately
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine
- Document the scene with photos and videos
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Get the truck driver’s license and insurance information
- Note the trucking company name and truck number
Important Actions After Leaving the Scene
- Follow up with medical care as recommended
- Keep detailed records of all expenses
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
- Don’t sign any documents without legal review
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney
- Preserve all evidence related to the accident
Don’t Wait – Act Quickly
South Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence can disappear quickly in truck accident cases. The sooner you contact our legal team, the better we can protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence for your case.
Contact a Lexington Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Lexington County, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The Lexington truck accident lawyers at Stewart Law Offices are here to fight for your rights and help you pursue maximum compensation.
The insurance companies are already working to minimize their liability; you need experienced advocates fighting for your rights.
Call (803) 520-0003
Our experienced Lexington truck accident lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your case. We offer free, confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact Us Today for Your Free Case Review
FAQs About Lexington Truck Accident Claims
Truck accident claims are often more complex because they may involve multiple liable parties, the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or even manufacturers. Commercial trucking companies also carry higher insurance policies, meaning insurers will fight harder to minimize payouts. Federal and state trucking regulations add another layer of complexity. An experienced Lexington truck accident attorney can sort through these issues, identify all at-fault parties, and build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Key evidence in a Lexington truck accident case often includes the truck’s black box data, driver logbooks, maintenance and inspection records, dashcam footage, witness statements, and police crash reports. Photos and videos from the accident scene are also crucial. Because trucking companies often control much of this evidence, it’s important to act quickly. A lawyer can send preservation letters to prevent evidence from being destroyed or altered while building your claim.
Yes, under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule, you may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault for the accident. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% responsible and awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often exaggerate a victim’s share of fault, which is why having a skilled Lexington truck accident lawyer is so important.
Most truck accident attorneys, including Stewart Law Offices, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay upfront legal fees. Instead, your lawyer only gets paid if they secure compensation for you through a settlement or court award. The fee is typically a percentage of your recovery. This arrangement allows injured victims to access quality legal representation without worrying about additional financial strain during an already difficult time.