Garbage trucks and sanitation workers provide an essential service and are a common sight on local roads. We need those services, but we also need them to be performed safely. When they are not, victims can be seriously injured in garbage-truck-involved crashes and should call on a North Charleston truck accident lawyer for help.
Shelly Leeke Law Firm has been recognized as a featured lawyer by Lawyer Central. We are ready to put the exceptionalism that earned this recognition to work for you. Connect with a garbage truck accident lawyer in North Charleston from our team. We will fight to get justice for the injuries and other consequences sustained in your accident.
How Garbage Truck Accidents Happen
If you have ever driven behind a garbage truck, you know they operate in a stop-and-go fashion. The job requires it. Vehicles following the truck must demonstrate care, but sometimes cannot avoid incidents. The garbage truck may encounter an unexpected roadblock or speed up too quickly after a slowdown or stop. Either scenario can lead to a crash.
Garbage truck operators have limited visibility. They may not see cars coming alongside them and veer into a vehicle’s travel path. Garbage trucks make wide turns. Their bulk demands it, and operators must execute these turns safely. If they go too wide, they may hit or sideswipe vehicles traveling nearby.
Vehicle malfunctions could cause an accident. The truck’s brake, steering, or other complicated systems could fail. Even poor road conditions could result in a crash. A pothole or slick surface could cause a tire blowout or send the truck off balance. Whatever the cause, a North Charleston personal injury lawyer will investigate to identify the negligent party.
Connect With a North Charleston Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away
A fast partnership with Shelly Leeke Law Firm can support a successful case. The timeline for filing your claim depends on whether your accident is with a truck owned by a private company or a government agency. Since many municipalities have public works departments for garbage collection, there is a significant chance your claim will be against the government.
For claims against a private company, you most likely have three years to file, per the South Carolina Code of Laws Title 15. For claims against the government, you must abide by the South Carolina Tort Claims Act (SCTA). The SCTA requires victims to file a claim with the appropriate government agency within one year of the accident.
The SCTA has exemptions in place, protecting government agencies from some claims, and there are other procedural differences in filing private or public claims. A skilled North Charleston garbage truck accident attorney from our team is prepared to handle either set of requirements and whatever challenges accompany your case.
Building a Strong Garbage Truck Accident Case
After your crash, say nothing that could be construed as an admission of fault. Keep your conversation with the other party limited to gathering contact and insurance information. Take photos of the full environment, capturing the damage, vehicle positions, and other important details. Call law enforcement to the scene.
Get medical care even if you think you are okay. Some injury symptoms do not present right away, and fast diagnosis and treatment are a necessity for your well-being and your case. Do not leave room for the negligent party to accuse you of making up injuries after the fact or of causing your increased debilitation by postponing medical attention.
After that, reach out to our South Carolina personal injury lawyers. Our attorneys will analyze your situation and look for evidence that proves negligence. We know where to look for, how to collect, and how to present convincing evidence supporting your claim of negligence and protecting you from unjustifiable blame.
Evidence to Support Your Claim
Our team will explore all potential sources of evidence when investigating your case. These sources include but are not limited to:
- Photos from the accident scene
- Video footage from security or traffic cameras mounted close by
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Input from relevant experts
- Input from your medical providers
- Statements from your loved ones and caregivers
- Police reports
- Vehicle inspection reports
We may also enlist help from accident reconstructionists. These experts can help get to the bottom of particularly tricky cases by recreating what most likely happened.
Fighting for the Highest Compensation Available
The amount of damages you can collect after a truck accident depends on the specific circumstances and outcomes of your situation. Typical factors include:
- Injury severity
- Your level of pain
- Extent of emotional trauma
- Income lost during recovery
- Lost earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Costs of property repair or replacement
- Medical expenses
- Future care costs, if needed
- Any other related costs
- The extent of your disability or disfigurement
- Changes to quality of life
How much fault you bear for the accident also comes into play. In South Carolina, you can sue for damages as long as you are less than 50% to blame, per Section 15-38-15 of the South Carolina Code. Those holding a smaller percentage of blame will see their compensation reduced proportionally.
A North Charleston garbage truck accident lawyer will compile evidence proving the value of your losses and fight for the highest compensation available. Our sole focus is on securing justice for you, and we will dedicate the full strength of our energy, resources, and collective experience to achieving that goal.
Take the First Step Toward Justice Today by Calling Our Office
Do not wait another day to connect with Shelly Leeke Law Firm and schedule a free case review. The sooner we get to work, the better for your case. We only accept payment after securing compensation, so you do not have to worry about costs. Our garbage truck accident attorney in North Charleston is on your side and ready to fight.
