A Mt. Pleasant truck accident lawyer offers you the peace of mind you need after being in a devastating accident. Our experienced and trusted attorneys at The Shelly Leeke Law Firm will provide you with exceptional legal representation. Do not settle your case until you speak to our Mt Pleasant personal injury lawyer.
Know Your Rights to Compensation After a Truck Accident
If you suffer an injury in a trucking crash in Mt. Pleasant, you may be eligible for compensation. In cases where your crash is the result of someone else’s negligence, you can request financial relief based on your losses. To do so, it pays to partner with an experienced Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you fight for justice. Our Mt. Pleasant truck accident lawyer makes it easy to seek compensation from anyone who caused your trucking crash. For more information, please reach out to us.
Our attorneys provide free consultations. These are opportunities for you to learn more about your rights. There is no risk in reaching out to us now.
Why Truck Crashes Happen in Mt. Pleasant
Large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). If you get into an accident with a truck, the consequences can be severe. The size, weight, rate of speed, and overall conditions impact the severity.
When accidents occur, we use every resource possible to uncover what took place and why. We then use data from numerous police reports, data resources, and other information to clarify the details. This matters for your claim.
Truck accidents should not happen. Yet, they do so at increasing rates. Trucking crashes happen for many reasons, such as:
Speeding
If a trucker decides to travel faster than the posted speed limit, they can cause a single or multi-vehicle accident. In this situation, the truck driver may not be able to stop in enough time to prevent a collision. The driver can be held responsible for any damages relating to the crash.
Distracted Driving
When a trucker shifts their attention away from the road, they are driving while distracted. It only takes a second for a truck driver to get distracted. Much in the same vein, a distracted driving crash can happen without notice, and it can have long-lasting ramifications for all involved in it.
Intoxicated Driving
There is no reason for a trucker to get behind the wheel if they are intoxicated. However, a trucker may still decide to do so. If a trucker causes a crash and is found guilty of driving while intoxicated, they can receive civil and criminal penalties.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
A trucking company must commit time, energy, and resources to keep its vehicles running at peak levels. If a truck is defective, it should be taken out of commission until it is repaired. Otherwise, if a trucker is driving a defective vehicle, a safety or performance issue can lead to an accident.
Inexperienced Truck Driver
It can be challenging for a truck driver to gain confidence, even after they have earned their commercial driver’s license. If a driver feels stressed out as they travel, they may make mistakes. Worst of all, an inexperienced trucker can make a mistake that results in a crash.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Truck
If a truck’s cargo is not weighed or loaded correctly, problems can come up during transport. Cargo can shift as a tractor-trailer moves from point A to point B. The weight and movement of the freight can impact a trucker’s ability to turn their vehicle safely, to the point where the vehicle can tip or roll over.
Determining What Happened in Your Case
Our trusted and experienced attorneys will gather information about your case to determine what occurred. It is not always obvious what went wrong. Our goal is to ensure we know the full story.
This information then helps to formulate your claim for losses. We are committed to ensuring you get all of the compensation owed. That is why you need a thorough and dedicated attorney.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has a wealth of experience with car accident claims and many other personal injury cases. If you want to hire a Mt. Pleasant truck accident attorney who represents your best interests, we are here for you. To find out more, please get in touch with us.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Mt. Pleasant
A trucking crash can be a stressful experience. As soon as your accident happens, take a deep breath and try to remain calm, cool, and collected. Your first priority is your own safety.
Your next priority is to move to where it is safe and help others if you can. Do not assume you are safe where you are. On highways, the risk of secondary accidents is very high.
Understanding how to react in a situation like this can be critical. Here is what the ideal scenario looks like. Below are things that you can do to get through the incident and protect yourself and anyone else involved in it.
Call 911
Notify 911 about your crash. Medical personnel will come to the accident scene to assist you and anyone else who may be injured. Police officers will also arrive to the location, get information from you and others involved in the collision, and put together an accident report.
Do Not Take Responsibility for the Crash
As you give information to the police about your crash, do not accept responsibility for the incident. If you indicate that you are partly or fully responsible for your collision, this can be held against you. Stick to the facts when you discuss your case with the police, and be cautious about what you say about the collision.
Take Photos and Videos at the Accident Scene
Use your smartphone to capture photos and videos at the accident scene. You can take photos and videos of your injuries and damage to your vehicle. These photos and videos can serve as evidence if you file a personal injury claim.
Receive Medical Care
Go to a doctor who can evaluate and treat your injuries. There can be times when injuries crop up in the days following your crash. A doctor can help you address your injuries before they get any worse.
Do Not Approve a Lowball Settlement
An insurance provider or trucking company may contact you just days after your crash. They may offer you a settlement that is well short of what you could get if you submit a personal injury claim. It can be tempting to accept an initial offer, but you should not do so without going over the agreement with a lawyer.
Consult with a Lawyer
Look for a lawyer who can provide you with legal resources relating to truck accident claims. This attorney can evaluate your case and help you determine if you have a valid claim for damages. If so, the lawyer can submit a personal injury claim for you and help you get compensation from any at-fault parties.
When to Call a Truck Accident Attorney in Mt. Pleasant
It can be tough to figure out if you have a compelling argument for damages after a trucking crash. Fortunately, a truck accident lawyer in Mt. Pleasant can help you out. They can answer frequently asked questions and many others about trucking collision claims.
To get compensation in a trucking crash case, you must be able to show that someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. The burden of proof in commercial truck accident claims is based on evidence. In your trucking accident lawsuit, you must be able to provide evidence that makes it clear to a judge or jury that someone was negligent and caused your accident and injuries, and you deserve compensation from them.
A Mount Pleasant truck accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm will gather and review evidence with you. They will also provide tips, recommendations, and insights into the legal process. That way, you can make informed legal decisions as your case moves forward.
What It Takes to Get Compensation in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
To win or settle your truck accident lawsuit and recover the maximum amount of compensation, you need to prepare accordingly. Generally, you can file an insurance claim for compensation based on your losses. Along with this, you can partner with a Mount Pleasant truck accident attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
South Carolina follows fault-based insurance laws. If you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, you will typically file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider. This does not guarantee that you will receive the full damages you request from the insurer.
On the other hand, you can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. This can be beneficial if you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or any other injury that will affect you long into the future. Your lawyer will submit your claim within South Carolina’s statute of limitations to do so and help you get a fair settlement.
How Much Time You Have to File a Trucking Crash Lawsuit
There is a three-year window from the date of your trucking crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, per South Carolina’s statute of limitations. You cannot request an extension of this statute. Therefore, if you do not file your claim within three years of your truck collision, you are 100% responsible for any costs relating to the incident.
A truck accident lawyer in Mount Pleasant can discuss the statute of limitations for personal injury claims and how it applies to your case. They will make sure that your claim is filed without delay. Your attorney will also encourage you to ask for economic and non-economic damages that may total tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Economic damages are given for medical bills, lost wages, and other quantifiable losses. Non-economic damages are awarded for suffering, pain, and other losses that are subjective. There is no restriction on the amount of economic and non-economic compensation that you can request, and your lawyer will help you calculate your damages as well.
How Much Time Is Needed to Resolve a Truck Crash Case
After you file a truck crash claim, do not expect an immediate resolution. How long it takes to settle a car accident or trucking collision claim varies based on the lawsuit. In some instances, it can take years before a trucking crash lawsuit is resolved.
As your litigation progresses, you and your attorney prepare for your trial. You and your lawyer collect and evaluate evidence. In addition, you and your lawyer develop an argument designed to convince a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
If you have a strong case, the defendant may be inclined to settle. Of course, just because a defendant offers a settlement does not mean that you are required to accept the proposal. It is in your best interests to review a settlement proposal with your attorney to decide what to do with it.
How to Decide on a Truck Crash Settlement Offer
You can get a settlement proposal at any point after your truck crash. If you are not satisfied with a settlement offer, you can decline it. Conversely, if a settlement seems fair, it is beneficial to review the proposal with your lawyer.
A truck crash lawyer in Mt. Pleasant can explain how a personal injury settlement is determined. If you get a settlement offer, your attorney will let you know if they believe it is in your best interests to accept it. Your lawyer can explain what can happen with any decision you make regarding a settlement proposal, too.
Accepting a settlement is a quick way to resolve a personal injury lawsuit, but it is not always the best option. Rather, it may be beneficial to move forward with your litigation if you do not get the settlement you want. You and your attorney will be fully prepared for your trial and present an argument that can help you get the compensation you want.
What to Expect in a Truck Crash Trial
A judge or jury will hear from all parties in a truck accident trial. They will review evidence and witness testimony and render a decision. In the best-case scenario, a judge or jury will understand your claim and agree that you deserve damages.
When you argue your case, it is important to note that South Carolina’s negligence laws apply to it. If a judge or jury finds you are more than 50% at fault for your vehicle accident, you cannot receive compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Or, if you are found to be partially at fault for your crash, you can still receive some compensation.
In instances where you are found to be partly at fault, the damages that you receive are reduced. For example, you can request $10,000 in a truck crash lawsuit, and a judge or jury finds that you are 20% responsible. At this point, you will receive $8,000 in compensation, as the damages awarded are your originally requested amount minus 20 percent.
How to Select a Mt. Pleasant Trucking Accident Lawyer
Do not rush through the process of hiring a Mt. Pleasant trucking accident lawyer. You should be aware of the statute of limitations, but take as much time as you can to find a lawyer who can meet your expectations. There are several factors to consider as you search for an attorney to represent you, and these include:
- Experience in trucking crash cases
- Knowledge of South Carolina’s laws
- Ability to communicate and collaborate with clients
Partner with a lawyer whom you can trust. To decide on an attorney, it helps to set up a meeting. Then, you can share your legal concerns and questions and get the insights you need to determine if a lawyer is well-equipped to serve you.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Mt. Pleasant Will Help You
Once you meet with our team to discuss your case, you can be confident that we will remain by your side throughout the entire process. We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional support. Nothing is more important to us than helping you, and that is why we offer comprehensive support, including:
- Determination of fault: Clearly understanding all parties at fault is the first step. We hold all those accountable who should be.
- Estimating losses: We calculate all of the losses you have and how this incident has impacted your life.
- Negotiation: Our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to negotiate the largest level of compensation possible. We do not take no for an answer.
- Confidence throughout the process: You are not alone as you navigate this process. Our team works to support you.
- Results: We remain by your side to get you results. This includes going to trial when it is necessary to do so to get the compensation you are owed.
Our truck accident attorneys are committed to supporting your best outcome. Contact us now to learn how we can help you get the financial compensation you are owed in a case like this. Our team is committed to our clients every step of the way.
Contact a Mt. Pleasant Truck Accident Lawyer for Help Today
Reach out to a reputable Mt. Pleasant trucking accident attorney at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm. We offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to truck accident victims across Mt. Pleasant and South Carolina. Please contact us today to schedule a case consultation.