Rock Hill Commerical Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking accidents are all too common on South Carolina’s roads and highways. The consequences can upend lives. In addition to excruciating pain and long-lasting disabilities, tractor trailer accident victims often face a sharp decline in income due to an inability to work. If you’ve found yourself in this position because of a tractor trailer crash someone else caused, a Rock Hill big rig truck accident attorney with Stewart Law Offices can help you pursue compensation for these and other losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Can a Rock Hill Big Rig Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
One of the most essential things to know when filing a truck accident claim in Rock Hill, South Carolina is that insurance adjusters handling claims will aim to minimize your payout as much as possible. An insurance company loses money every time it pays out a claim, so its employees use several tactics to shift the blame away from their client (the truck driver or trucking company) and onto the victim. They know how to take advantage of unrepresented truck accident victims who are living through the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Don’t go up against these powerful businesses alone. The Rock Hill truck accident lawyers at Stewart Law Offices have as much as 25 years experience protecting injured South Carolinians against greedy insurance companies. We know how to take them on, win big, and recover maximum compensation for our clients.
A Rock Hill truck accident lawyer can help your case by:
- Investigating the semi truck accident to gather evidence supporting your claim
- Identifying all at-fault parties that might owe you money, including the commercial truck driver, trucking company, and drivers of other vehicles involved in the truck wreck
- Calculating the total extent of your losses, including future injury-related expenses and income reductions
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance company for the full and fair compensation you deserve
- Taking your case to court if the insurer is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement
With our proven track record of success* representing victims of commercial truck accidents, the team at Stewart Law Offices can give you the support and advocacy you need during your truck accident claim and beyond.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Rock Hill Truck Accident Case
The compensation you may receive after suffering serious injuries in an accident with a commercial truck will depend on the nature of the accident and your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you could be owed money for your:
- Medical expenses – If a negligent truck driver or trucking company is liable for your injuries, you should not be responsible for the resulting medical bills and healthcare costs.
- Lost income – You may be able to claim compensation for wages, commissions, tips, and other forms of income you have lost due to missed time at work after the accident.
- Reduced earning capacity – Your claim can compensate you for income differences if your injuries have required you to take on lower-paying employment or you suffered catastrophic injuries that led to permanent disabilities.
- Pain and suffering – While pain is impossible to measure objectively, South Carolina law allows accident victims to recover monetary compensation for the subjective physical and psychological harm resulting from accidents involving large trucks.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers can review your case and determine all of the damages for which we can demand compensation.
Common Causes for Rock Hill Truck Accidents
Several factors can contribute to truck accidents in Rock Hill and the surrounding areas. Some of the most common causes of tractor trailer accidents include:
- Driver fatigue – Drivers of commercial vehicles often work long hours and are subject to tight schedules, increasing the risk of drifting off at the wheel or experiencing diminished alertness and reaction times.
- Distracted driving – Activities like texting, adjusting the radio, or eating while driving can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, leading to disastrous consequences.
- Impaired driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous, especially when operating a large commercial vehicle.
- Speeding – Truckers who exceed posted speed limits have less time to react to changing road conditions or obstacles, making motor vehicle accidents more likely and severe.
- Equipment failure – Poorly maintained or defective truck components, such as brakes, tires, or lighting systems, can lead to loss of control or visibility, increasing the risk of a trucking accident.
- Improper cargo loading – Imbalanced or unsecured loads on commercial trucks can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable or difficult to maneuver and making it more prone to jackknifing or overturning.
If you were injured in a serious truck accident, reach out to our Rock Hill, SC personal injury law firm for help.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident in Rock Hill?
Several parties may be held liable in a truck accident case, depending on the circumstances. These include:
- Truck driver – Commercial truck drivers can be held liable for accidents caused by their negligent behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
- Trucking company – Trucking companies have a responsibility to properly maintain their vehicles, ensure drivers are adequately trained and rested, and comply with federal and state regulations. If they fail in these duties, they may be liable for accidents caused by their drivers or vehicles.
- Cargo loading company – If an accident is caused by an improperly loaded or secured cargo, the company responsible for loading the truck may be held accountable.
- Maintenance company – A third-party maintenance company might be to blame for an accident that results from shoddy or unperformed repairs, including brake malfunctions or tire blowouts.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturer – In some cases, defective vehicle components or design flaws can contribute to accidents. In such instances, the manufacturer responsible for those defects may be held responsible.
Determining liability in truck accident cases can be a complex process. Multiple parties may share responsibility. An experienced Rock Hill truck accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially liable parties and seek maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you are involved in a truck accident in Rock Hill, taking the following steps can help protect your rights and strengthen your claim:
- Report the accident – Contact the Rock Hill Police Department at 803-329-7200 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance if needed.
- Seek medical attention – Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to get checked by a medical professional. Certain injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
- Document the scene – If possible, take photographs or video footage of the accident scene, including the positions of the vehicles, debris, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Also, collect the contact information of any witnesses.
- Keep accident-related records – Maintain detailed records of all expenses, medical treatments, lost wages, and other losses resulting from the accident to help support your insurance claim.
- Schedule a free consultation – Contact an experienced Rock Hill truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Stewart Law Offices for Help with Your Truck Accident Claim
Life after a truck accident can feel lonely and overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. The attorneys at Stewart Law Offices have the skills to help secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.