Trucking accidents can be catastrophic for all involved. You might require lifelong in-home nursing care, depending on the severity of your injuries. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, determine if you are eligible for compensation today.
Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to assist you, answer your questions, and guide you through the legal process. Our truck accident lawyers in Summerville are well-versed in the laws surrounding truck accidents in Summerville, and we will do everything we can to help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Our Summerville personal injury lawyers are ready to fight tirelessly for you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Summerville, SC
Truck accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities due to their massive size and heavy weight. According to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book, there were over 70 fatal collisions and more than 1,000 injury collisions involving semi-trucks in South Carolina in 2020.
The American Trucking Association reported that around 3.49 million truck drivers were employed and moving freight across the United States in 2021. This number continues to increase yearly, meaning more semi-trucks are driving on the highways and local roads than ever. While this is great news for the trucking industry, it is bad news for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Here are some of the main causes of truck accidents in Summerville and surrounding areas:
- Distracted driving
- Careless and reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Tailgating
- Product or part defects
- Load issues
- Failure to check surroundings and blind spots
- Inclement weather conditions
- Road defects
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries. The main reason for this is the difference in size and weight between large semi-trucks and smaller automobiles. These are a few of the most common injuries that truck accident victims suffer:
- Head and skull injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Broken, fractured, and crushed bones
- Road, chemical, and flame burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Determining Liability in a Truck Accident
Even though many people believe that truck drivers are automatically liable for truck accidents, this is not always the case. Truck accidents are often complex accidents that involve several different responsible parties.
A truck accident lawyer in Summerville, SC, will work tirelessly to help you determine who is liable for your accident and gather evidence to prove negligence on their part. The following are a few different parties that may share fault in your case:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s manager, supervisor, or employer
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck or trailer
- The truck’s manufacturer
- The loading or maintenance crew
Types of Evidence Your Attorney Will Use to Prove Fault in a Truck Accident Claim
Truck accident attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources to prove fault regarding your truck accident claim. We will gather evidence at Shelly Leeke Law Firm and hire witnesses to strengthen your claim. Some of the types of evidence that our attorneys will work with you to collect include:
- Photos
- Surveillance video footage
- Truck camera footage
- Cell phone records
- Truck driver log books
- Documentation
- Expert and eyewitness testimonies
- Data from the truck’s black box
Proving Negligence in Your Case
Proving negligence in a truck accident case is important but can also be very complicated. You must hire an experienced truck accident attorney in Summerville, SC, who has what it takes to prove that the truck driver’s negligent actions caused your accident. To successfully do this, they will establish four critical factors, which are:
- Duty of Care: The truck driver had a duty of care when driving their semi-truck. The duty was to operate their truck safely, ensuring that you and other drivers always remained safe and harm-free.
- Breach of Duty: The truck driver breached the duty of care by failing to follow the law or regulations to keep everyone safe on the roads. This may include speeding, swerving, making improper lane changes, etc.
- Causation: The breach of duty was a direct cause of your accident.
- Damages: You experienced injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and more from the accident.
Available Damages for Your Truck Accident Case
One of the first questions our clients usually ask is about the economic damages available to them. Therefore, it is important to sit down and develop a list of the losses you have suffered since your accident. Your lawyer will work with accountants, healthcare providers, and other professionals to determine how much compensation you should be awarded for your listed losses.
Some examples of the losses that you may seek damages for include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Vehicle and property damage
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Travel costs
- Physical therapy
- Psychological therapy
- Home modifications
- Hired services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Mental distress and trauma
When to Hire a Summerville Truck Accident Lawyer
It is common for truck accident victims to feel confused and helpless after being involved in a truck accident. That is where the lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm come in as we will begin reviewing your case and explaining the legal process to you. However, South Carolina only gives people three years from the date of their accidents to file a personal injury lawsuit.
So, you must start speaking with an attorney as soon as possible to determine the next steps and avoid missing this deadline.
Contact a Summerville Truck Accident Attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident, please do not wait to contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm today. We will review your case and provide honest feedback about your legal options, the amount of compensation you are owed, and what may be needed to prove liability.
Call or contact our office for a free, no-obligation case evaluation at your earliest convenience. Our team is ready to hear your story and help you navigate the difficult legal process when you are ready.
