There is a reason why truck accident lawsuits are hard-fought. Both the insurance companies and trucking organizations may owe you a substantial amount of money, and they will do everything they can to keep you from getting it.
However, you can have your fighter who can level the playing field between you and everyone else. Attorney Frank Hartman and his team at The Hartman Law Firm, LLC take on large companies and hold them accountable. Frank will fight on your behalf when you have been injured in a truck accident. Call our truck accident attorney in Charleston, South Carolina for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Before there’s any filing of a truck accident lawsuit, your health is the priority. After you have been hurt in a truck accident, you must see all the doctors necessary and receive all medical treatment to help you recover from your injuries to the fullest extent possible. Taking care of your health could be a full-time job.
However, the legal process also does not wait for anyone. At the same time that you are tending to your injuries, you must also take steps toward filing a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. You may be wondering how you can handle both at the same time. The answer is that you should entrust your case to an experienced truck accident lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to fight for you.
The time to call a truck accident attorney is as soon as possible after the crash. If you or a loved one cannot contact an attorney, someone else should reach out to one on your behalf.
Equally important to what you should do after a truck accident is what you should not do. You should not speak to the insurance company or the trucking company’s lawyer. The more you try to do, the more money you may cost yourself.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away
The first requirement in any truck accident case is that you prove that the commercial company should be held liable for your damages. You need the evidence necessary to show what the truck driver did and why it departed from the required standard of care.
Truck accident evidence can disappear in a hurry, leaving you with little way to prove your case alone. In addition, the trucking company could conveniently “lose” evidence that they may need to hand over to you later in the case unless your attorney directs them to preserve it.
In addition, the insurance company may realize soon after a crash that they have a serious problem. They may try to contact you and pressure you into giving a statement, or they may attempt to rush you into a low settlement.
Hiring a truck accident lawyer very early in the case is a step that you can take to protect your legal rights.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Charleston
It only takes a small error to cause a major truck accident, especially on I-26. With such large and technologically advanced vehicles, everything must go right for the driver to safely reach their destination.
Unfortunately, there is a trucking company trying to maximize profits and a driver who may not be up to the job. Either one can make a serious mistake that can leave you or a loved one with grievous injuries.
Common causes of truck accidents in our area include:
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Illegal lane changes
- Lack of proper inspections and maintenance on the truck
- Failure to properly load the cargo
To win your truck accident case, it’s up to you to prove that the driver or the trucking company was negligent and caused your injuries. As your attorney, Frank knows how to conduct a full investigation of the accident to both learn the cause and gather the evidence that could prove what happened.
Truck Accidents Can Result in Serious Injuries
It is rare for the occupants of the passenger car to walk away from a truck crash unscathed.
Federal regulations allow a truck to weigh up to 80,000 lbs when it is fully loaded. The average passenger car weighs around 4,000 lbs. Thus, it follows that there is a large amount of force that is transferred from the truck to the passenger car in an accident.
We can seek compensation for serious injuries in a truck crash, such as:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Potential Defendants in a Truck Accident Case
The trucking company is the most obvious defendant in a truck accident lawsuit. They are legally responsible for the actions of their employees that occur within the scope of their job.
In other words, if a truck driver is driving the truck for the company (and they are not on a personal errand), their employer would need to pay for the harm caused.
However, there may be other potential defendants in a truck accident lawsuit, either as an alternative to the trucking company or in addition. A complete investigation is necessary to learn who you may be able to sue.
Other potential defendants in a truck accident lawsuit include:
- The manufacturer of a truck
- A third party is hired to perform tasks such as maintenance or cargo loading
- The government for failure to maintain the roadways and reasonable condition
- Another driver whose actions cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle
If more than one party was to blame for the truck accident, you would file claims against all of them, and it is up to them to figure out how to divide your payment.
Contact a Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Frank Hartman has a track record of effectively representing Charleston residents and delivering results for them. He has deep roots in the local area and knows what it takes to get all the money a truck accident victim deserves.
If you or a loved one were in a truck accident, do one thing right now. Contact Frank to discuss your case, and then we can begin to work on the legal process immediately. To schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation, you can message our office online, or you can call us today at 843.300.7600. You do not need to pay anything unless you win your case.
Truck Accident Case FAQs
Is there an average truck accident settlement?
As much as some may like to give you average figures, there is no such thing. Your damages are entirely dependent on your injuries and the impact the accident had on you. If you focus too much on an average, you may end up leaving a significant amount of money on the table.
Who regulates the trucking industry?
Given the dangers that large trucks pose to the general public, the industry is heavily regulated.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an extensive set of regulations that trucking companies must follow. Unfortunately, trucking companies have been known to cut corners and ignore the rules. We go after those who violate regulations.
Should I speak to the trucking company’s attorneys?
These attorneys are dedicated to defending the trucking company, and they are not your friend in any way. They’ll do everything within their power to trip you up and compromise your case.
Only your truck accident lawyer should speak to other attorneys.