Columbia Truck Accident Lawyers

You’re probably used to sharing the road with commercial trucks, especially if you drive on the freeways regularly. Unfortunately, you may not be able to avoid a collision with these large vehicles, even if you’re a careful, experienced driver. Additionally, a semi-truck or 18-wheeler can weigh up to 25 times more than a typical car, making truck accident crashes especially serious. 

Truck accident law is completely different than other areas of law, so it is extremely important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer following a truck accident in Columbia, SC. Our truck accident lawyers at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC have over 60 years of combined experience representing people across South Carolina who have been injured or have lost loved ones as a result of truck accidents involving tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers. We’ve seen first-hand how serious and scary these crashes can be. We are here to help you through it, step by step.

Call us whenever you’re ready at (803) 888-2200 and explain your situation to see how we can help.

South Carolina Truck Accident Facts:

According to reports from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the number of truck tractor units involved in traffic collisions has increased every year since 2013.

• 2013 – 3,576
• 2014 – 4,028
• 2015 – 4,666
• 2016 – 5,126
• 2017 – 5,292
• 2018 – 5,554

Across the US, truck drivers are required to complete special training and follow specific federal and state regulations while operating a tractor-trailer. The size of an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer alone can make accidents much more dangerous for everyone involved. In 2018, 11 percent of all motor vehicle accidents resulting in death involved large trucks. Overwhelmingly, 96 percent of those deaths were occupants of passenger vehicles.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents:

There are many causes of truck accidents, but some common ones include:

• Following too closely
• Excessive speed
• Failure to follow trucking laws and regulations
• Disregarding construction zones
• Recklessness
• Drowsy or over-time driving
• Loss of control
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Faulty equipment, and more.

Identifying Related Damages:

There are three main types of damages recoverable in truck accident cases in South Carolina: special, general, and punitive. Special damages are sometimes referred to as actual damages, including compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and more. General damages focus on your pain and suffering, permanent injuries, and emotional distress. These damages are typically harder to determine and are more subjective than special damages. Lastly, punitive damages are used to discipline the defendant and discourage bad conduct by sending a strong warning for their reckless, illegal, or willful behavior. 

Recovering adequate compensation for damages without the help of a truck accident lawyer with an extensive understanding of SC truck accident laws and regulations can be difficult. Consider speaking with a South Carolina truck accident lawyer now for a free consultation by calling (803) 888-2200 or scheduling one online.

Common South Carolina Truck Accident Injuries: 

Common injuries experienced as a result of a truck accident generally fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Broken bones
• Brain injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Smoke inhalation
• Health problems caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, and more

It is important to note that not all damages from an accident may be apparent immediately. For instance, it may take a few days for pain from injuries to begin. 

Recoverable Damages From a Truck Accident:

Following a truck accident in South Carolina, you may be eligible for compensation for damages including:

• Hospital expenses
• Physical therapy costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Loss of income
• Future loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damage, and more.

It’s important to talk to a truck accident lawyer immediately following a truck accident in Columbia, South Carolina so they can help to preserve evidence, guide you through the process, and make sure you get the compensation you need to cover current and future expenses. 

South Carolina Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts:

While no attorney can guarantee specific results and cases vary widely based on their individual facts, we can help you evaluate your case and determine the best strategy to maximize your recovery. We know the compensation you deserve for the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by an accident involving a truck in South Carolina. We won’t settle for less. 

What Makes a Truck Accident Different From a Car Accident Case?

There are many rules that tractor-trailer companies and their drivers must follow on the road in addition to the regular laws that everyday drivers have to follow. Our team of truck accident lawyers has an extensive understanding of trucking rules and regulations in South Carolina, and we use this information to make sure our clients get the complete compensation they deserve. 

Determining Liability in South Carolina Truck Accident Cases:

Additionally, unlike most typical motor vehicle collisions, multiple parties may be held liable in a truck accident. These parties include the trucking company, truck driver, truck manufacturer, vendors, cargo owners, road construction companies, government entities, and more. Our truck accident attorneys will help determine liability by interviewing witnesses, reviewing the truck driver’s background, looking at the company’s insurance information, inspecting the vehicles involved, preserving key evidence, reviewing medical records, and more.

What To Do After a Truck Accident?

1. Seek medical attention. The health and safety of you and those around you come first.
2. Call the authorities. Make sure someone calls to report the accident to emergency personnel.
3. Gather evidence. Take photos of the scene, witnesses, the vehicles involved, and the surrounding area if possible. Also, get the driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance information, license number, and the name and contact information of the truck driver’s employer.
4. See a doctor. Seek medical attention following a car crash even if you are not transported from the scene of the accident by EMS, as some symptoms may take a few days to begin. 
5. Speak cautiously. An insurance adjuster will call you after the accident and try to take a recorded statement. They will use anything you say to limit the amount of money you get. Speak to a personal injury or truck accident lawyer before speaking with an insurance company to maximize your compensation.

When Should I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer?

It is very important to act quickly in the aftermath of a tractor-trailer wreck to ensure that the responsible parties keep evidence such as driver logs, dispatch information, safety records, and electronic data from the truck itself. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you identify key parties and preserve this information for use in proving your case. You can discuss your case with one of our experienced South Carolina truck accident attorneys by calling us at (803) 888-2200 or scheduling a free consultation. 

Why Choose Cavanaugh & Thickens?

Our team of truck accident lawyers at Cavanaugh & Thickens has a deep understanding of the legal aspects of truck accident cases in South Carolina. Our truck accident lawyers have experience working in the defense practice where they represented trucking companies and their drivers. This unique experience has allowed our team to obtain in-depth knowledge about the specific trucking rules and regulations in place in South Carolina. Now representing injured individuals, our attorneys use this information to aggressively fight for our clients across the state to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after a truck accident.