Semi-truck accidents are terrifying. And although no one expects to be in one, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were almost 1,400 truck crashes, resulting in 119 deaths in the state of South Carolina in 2020. For those who survived, many had catastrophic injuries and required prolonged hospital stays.
As a result, they racked up huge medical expenses, lost their income, and suffered many other associated losses. Situations like this can lead to financial ruin for the victim and their family. Unfortunately, most insurance companies don’t care about doing the right thing and giving you the compensation you deserve.
And fighting them yourself while in recovery or while taking care of your injured loved one can be overwhelming. This is why you need the help of the experienced North Charleston semi-truck accident attorneys at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, LLC. We have helped other injured South Carolinians get an adequate settlement. Let’s help you get the compensation you deserve.
Proving Fault in a North Charleston Truck Accident Case
Most semi-trailer collisions happen because a driver failed to do something they should have. Or they did something they shouldn’t have done. Truck drivers are typically held to higher driving standards by state and federal regulations. When they do not adhere to these laws and get in an accident, they should be held responsible for their actions.
But before a truck accident lawyer in North Charleston can hold the at-fault driver accountable, they must first identify what caused the collision. Some of the common causes of truck wrecks are:
- Excessive speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances – truckers should always have a blood alcohol limit that’s less than 0.04 percent when they’re driving
- Overcorrecting
- Breaking traffic laws
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving – typically caused by sleep deprivation and occurs when drivers do not adhere to the required hours of service rule
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating other vehicles
These are some of the more common causes of truck accidents that are related to truckers’ errors. There are also other causes of truck accidents that have nothing to do with the driver. These include:
- Poor weather conditions
- Truck part failure – failed brakes cause about 30 percent of truck collisions
- Bad roads
- Excess cargo loading
- Other road users
Establishing Liability in a Truck Accident Injury Claim
The cause of the accident will often determine liability. If the driver or other parties were at fault, then they will be held liable on the basis of negligence or carelessness. To establish that the driver or other parties were negligent, your attorney will examine their actions against the following elements:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
All truck drivers have a duty to drive safely and adhere to driving laws so that other road users would be safe. If the driver drives recklessly or acts in a manner that puts other road users at risk, they have breached that duty or broken the obligation.
If their recklessness leads to an accident and injures other people, their actions led to that crash. If the victims suffered varying degrees of loss, including spending money on their treatment, then the driver and other parties are responsible for these damages.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving North Charleston, call 1-844-736-8342
Compensation that You Can Pursue in a North Charleston Truck Accident Claim
Collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles are almost always disastrous. People suffer severe injuriess and cars are often totaled. As a result, victims often need to be compensated for their injuries and the losses they suffered because of the crash. If you’re looking to file a compensation claim to recover your damages, you could qualify for the following benefits:
- Hospital bills – including emergency care, surgeries, and prescription medications
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Wage loss
- Future treatment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Discomfort and inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
These are broadly classified as economic and non-economic damages, and your North Charleston truck collision lawyer will determine which benefits you qualify for.
In some extreme cases where there’s gross misconduct or malicious intent to harm, your injury lawyer may be able to file for punitive damages. These are meant to punish the at-fault parties for their intentional reckless actions and hopefully, prevent others from acting in a similar manner in the future.
North Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 1-844-736-8342
What if a Loved One Died in a Semi-Truck Crash in North Charleston, SC?
Apart from the tragic loss of a loved one from traffic collision incidents, family members often have to deal with the outstanding costs that were brought on by the truck wreck. This can often be a very tough thing to go through, particularly if the family has no financial recourse.
However, South Carolina has made provisions for scenarios like this in the form of a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Surviving family members and relatives can get some financial assistance by filing a claim to recover all the damages that were caused by the semi-truck crash.
Some of the benefits that surviving family members can claim include:
- All hospital expenses up to the deceased’s death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of benefits like pension and medical coverage
- Loss of companionship and support
- Loss of consortium – if the deceased was married or had a partner
- Lost income that the deceased would have earned
- Pain and suffering
Securing these damages may require the experience of a skilled North Charleston truck collision lawyer. The recovery of all benefits often means that your attorney would have to fight relentlessly until the at-fault party pays up.
While it’s true that money cannot bring back your loved one, we know it can serve as a financial net that will prevent surviving family from financial ruin. Plus, the settlement will provide you with a means to start putting your life back on track.
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Hire an Experienced North Charleston Truck Accident Attorney
We understand that this is a very trying time for you and your family, which is why we’re offering to help you go after the at-fault party and get the settlement that you deserve. It is not fair that someone else’s carelessness has put you in a position of pain, discomfort, and potential financial devastation.
You shouldn’t have to fight for your life and still worry about where you’ll get the money to pay your medical bills. Let the capable North Charleston truck accident attorneys at Shelly Leeke’s Law Firm, LLC, help you file your compensation claim or an injury lawsuit against the trucker or other parties.
With our help, you can recover the full settlement that’s due to you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Call or text 1-844-736-8342 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
