A severe truck accident in South Carolina can leave you with painful injuries, missing wages from time missed at work, and a growing stack of medical bills – not to mention pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. However, if someone else caused the accident, they may also owe you compensation for these and other losses.
The personal injury attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm can help you pursue a truck accident injury claim to demand the recovery you deserve. We have over 50 years of experience helping injured people in South Carolina like you find the financial security they need during difficult times.
Contact us today for a free case review and find out what a South Carolina tractor-trailer accident lawyer from our firm can do for you.
South Carolina Commercial Truck Accident Statistics
The following data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety illustrate just how common and dangerous commercial truck accidents are here:
- In one recent year, 2,493 South Carolina traffic accidents involved commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) like tractor-trailers.
- Of those 2,493 reported CMV accidents, 107 (4.3 percent) resulted in serious injuries, and 1,197 (48 percent) resulted in “other” injuries.
- There were 91 fatal CMV accidents resulting in 109 deaths that year.
- CMV drivers were at least partially responsible for 41 percent of all CMV accidents in South Carolina that year.
Why Hire Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers?
Truck accidents are often devastating, and seeking compensation is complicated, so it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced lawyer after being involved in one. When you work with the trusted South Carolina truck accident attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm, you can count on us to help you by:
- Explaining your rights and identifying all possible sources of compensation
- Conducting an independent investigation into the tractor-trailer accident
- Communicating with insurance providers and other parties on your behalf
- Obtaining medical records, crash reports, and other evidence for your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and medical experts for valuable supporting testimony
- Managing essential case documents, details, and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing claim paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your settlement
- Taking your case to court and representing you at trial, if the other side won’t pay
What Makes South Carolina Truck Accident Cases More Complicated?
Truck accident cases are often considerably more complicated than those involving car accidents for multiple reasons, including:
- Complex trucking regulations – Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with numerous industry regulations that do not apply to private motorists. For instance, truckers must follow strict hours-of-service regulations and maintain meticulous compliance records. Most claimants are unfamiliar with these special rules and have trouble recognizing possible violations that could affect their case.
- Large vehicles requiring special driving skills – Commercial trucks are several times larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so they need more training and effort to operate and maintain. The more things that could go wrong, the more likely a devastating crash – and the more factors to consider in subsequent claims.
- Extensive injuries and costly claims – Many truck accident victims sustain serious, life-changing injuries that require extensive medical care and time away from work. That means truck accident claims are often expensive, and liable parties have that much more incentive to minimize or deny responsibility.
- Multiple potentially liable parties – In most car accident cases, the only liable parties are the motorists involved in the collision. But multiple parties are often responsible for operating a commercial vehicle, any of whom could be at fault in a truck accident case.
Compensation for Injuries Sustained in an SC Truck Accident
A successful truck accident injury claim in South Carolina could provide you with the compensation you need for the following types of crash-related losses:
- Hospital bills and other medical costs you incur for the treatment of your injuries
- Lost income from any time you miss at work due to your injuries
- Projected losses in future earning potential, if you suffer permanent injuries
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
- Incidental expenses, such as out-of-pocket travel costs for doctor’s appointments
South Carolina Trucking Regulations
In addition to the federal regulations concerning interstate carriers, the South Carolina legislature has enacted numerous rules and restrictions specifically for commercial drivers and motor carriers within the state. Some key South Carolina trucking regulations include:
- Drivers must be at least 18, have a valid South Carolina driver’s license, and complete a medical exam to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- South Carolina truck drivers must obtain special license endorsements to operate tanker trucks, trucks with air brakes, and double or triple tractor-trailers.
- Truck drivers must obtain license endorsements and submit to background checks to operate trucks that carry hazardous materials in South Carolina.
- The gross weight placed on a single axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds when traveling on interstates or highways.
