Tega Cay Truck Accident Attorney

The Tega Cay truck accident attorneys at the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC want to help if you have been hurt in a crash caused by a negligent truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, or other entity.

We know the toll a truck accident can take on crash victims and their families, which is why we have spent more than 40 years helping people in South Carolina seek fair compensation for their injuries. We can work with you to figure out all the parties who may be liable for your injuries and hold them accountable for their negligence. Get in touch with a truck accident lawyer at our law firm today to learn more about how we can help you.

What Makes Truck Accidents Different Than a Typical Car Accident?

There are a few key reasons why South Carolina truck accidents are different from other South Carolina motor vehicle accidents, including the following:

• More severe injuries — Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles are significantly bigger and heavier than cars. That’s why they usually cause much more severe injuries than car accidents when these accidents occur.
• More liable parties — While it’s important to hold negligent truck drivers accountable, they are not the only parties who may be liable for a truck accident. Trucking companies, vehicle and parts manufacturers, maintenance workers, cargo loaders, and others could potentially share liability for a crash.
• More complex claims — When your injuries are more severe and multiple parties are involved in an accident, a personal injury case will likely become more complicated. To account for all your economic losses and other harm you’ve suffered, you may need to file claims against multiple parties.
• Different types of evidence — Trucking companies often have significant legal resources the average driver doesn’t have, so you may have to work harder to prove your case. You may need information from the truck’s electronic data recorder, the truck driver’s employee records, and other evidence that can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

What Are Some Causes of Truck Accidents in Tega Cay, South Carolina?

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in South Carolina include the following:

• Driver fatigue — Truck drivers often have to meet demanding delivery deadlines, pushing them to keep driving even when severely fatigued. Fatigue compromises truck drivers’ reflexes, makes them more prone to errors in judgment, and may cause them to fall asleep while driving.
• Impaired driving — Given how much larger they are than most other vehicles, impaired driving is even more dangerous among truck drivers than passenger drivers. Alcohol and other drugs can severely affect a truck driver’s concentration, awareness, and judgment.
• Distracted driving — Truck drivers are just as prone to distractions as any other driver, which can cause them to hit another vehicle if they aren’t watching what they’re doing. Common truck driver distractions include talking on a cell phone, texting while driving, using a navigation device, grooming, and adjusting the music in their vehicle.
• Mechanical failure — A manufacturing or design defect in a truck’s brakes, tires, steering, suspension, transmission, or other critical components can all lead to a mechanical breakdown and cause a crash.
• Unsecured cargo — A truck’s cargo needs to be secured and balanced in transit to minimize the chance of a rollover accident. The truck can tip over while turning if the cargo isn’t properly tied down.
• Lack of proper maintenance — To minimize the chance of mechanical failure, trucks have strict maintenance schedules. If this maintenance isn’t done correctly, critical components could fail while the truck is moving.
• Reckless driving — Trucks are much harder to control and take much longer to slow down than most cars. Truck drivers need to avoid speeding, aggressive lane changes, and other dangerous driving habits.
• Poor road conditions — Loose sand, gravel, snow, ice, water, or other road hazards can cause a truck driver to lose control, especially if the driver isn’t careful.

Who Is Liable in a South Carolina Truck Accident?

Several parties could be liable for a South Carolina truck accident, either individually or collectively. These parties include the following:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Maintenance workers
• Cargo loaders
• Vehicle and parts manufacturers

An experienced South Carolina truck accident lawyer can investigate your case and help determine who is liable for the truck accident. They can then help you pursue compensation against any at-fault parties.

What Is the Value of My Truck Accident Claim?

It’s hard to say what any individual South Carolina truck accident claim is worth until an attorney has a chance to review your case. Every truck accident is different. The unique elements of your case will determine how much you could receive in compensation. The severe injuries and high economic costs that come with many truck accidents mean crash victims can often seek more compensation than would be available after car accidents.

What Truck Accident Damages Can be Included in My Lawsuit?

The amount of compensation you could recover through a lawsuit depends on the available evidence, the extent of your injuries, and other factors. But you could potentially recover compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Lower future earning potential due to a disability
• Damaged personal property

Can I File Truck Accident Claim for a Deceased Family Member in South Carolina?

South Carolina law allows the families of truck accident victims to file a wrongful death claim if they can show a family member died due to someone else’s negligence. A wrongful death lawsuit could allow you to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs, the deceased’s medical bills, the loss of emotional and financial support from a family member, and other losses. Talk to a Tega Cay truck accident lawyer for more information on wrongful death cases.

What Is The Statute of Limitations for a South Carolina Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Typically, the statute of limitations for a truck accident lawsuit is three years in South Carolina. What this means is that you must file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party within three years of the accident.

Many personal injury claims will settle before they ever reach the trial stage, but should you need to take legal action to get the compensation you deserve, you have to do it within that three-year time period. Should you fail to file your lawsuit within that time period, you will have forfeited the opportunity to have your lawsuit heard in court.

Contact a Tega Cay Truck Accident Attorney Today

No matter how badly you’ve been injured or how challenging your case may seem, the Tega Car truck accident attorneys at the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC are here to defend your rights and pursue fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.