Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Charleston

Truck accident attorneys handle injury, property damage, negligence, and wrongful death claims related to tractor-trailers and large vehicles. They advise clients, negotiate settlements, and represent accident victims in the courtroom. In most cases, they are personal injury lawyers who specialize in this particular type of claim.

Truck accident liability is a notoriously complex area. In car accidents, liability is typically shared by one or more drivers, but that’s not always the case with truck collisions. These are just a few of the parties that may be responsible for truck accidents and subsequent injuries:

• Equipment owners, including leasing companies
• Truck drivers who are reckless, intoxicated, or make mistakes
• Trucking companies accountable for hiring and keeping records
• Maintenance providers who are negligent or fail to perform routine tasks
• Loading personnel in accidents caused by shifting loads
• Third-party drivers, especially in multi-vehicle collisions
• Equipment manufacturers that sell defective parts

In truck accident cases, as in all personal injury cases, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or party filing the lawsuit. To prevail in court, the plaintiff must prove four things:

• The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, such as having a legal responsibility to hire qualified drivers and maintain safe equipment.
• In negligence claims, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached this duty.
• The plaintiff must show that they suffered damages or experienced harm.
• Finally, the plaintiff must prove that these losses were a direct result of the defendant’s breach.

Driver error is the single most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, but a variety of factors come into play on busy highways and secondary roads. Other potential causes of truck accidents include the following:

• Inadequate or improper driver training
• Severe weather, including rain, sleet, ice, and fog
• Dangerous roadways, potholes, and construction zones
• Improper loading, excess weight, and shifting cargo
• Reckless driving involving intoxication or distractions
• Faulty equipment, such as failing brakes

Yes, all trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and maintaining safe equipment. However, a lengthy investigation may be required to document the scene, establish contributing factors, and hold the company responsible. Personal injury attorneys generally focus on the following points during the investigation:

• Checking the truck driver’s record
• Securing phone records to prove distracted driving
• Photographing skid marks and road conditions
• Verifying the truck’s weight and maintenance history
• Establishing the driver’s physical and mental health
• Reviewing logbooks to identify times of service violations
• Checking for previous violations to establish a pattern of misconduct

In the U.S., it's estimated that there are 500,000 large truck accidents per year with an average of nearly 1,400 per day, according to data collected from police reports. Of those 500,000 accidents, approximately 4,000 result in a death. The majority of semi truck accidents are caused by mechanical defects and driver fatigue.

If you have been injured in an accident with a semi truck that is not your fault, you are entitled to compensation for the damages to your vehicle as well as for your medical bills, time missed from work, and other damages suffered. You can sue if the person or company refuses to offer fair compensation.

The most important thing to do after a serious accident is to seek medical attention. You should also collect witness information, photographs of the accident scene, a copy of the police report, and contact information from the driver of the truck. Gather all of your paperwork related to the accident, including copies of your medical bills. Avoid posting about the accident on social media or speaking to the driver's insurance company before seeking legal advice, because anything you say can be used against you and affect your compensation.

Most lawsuits are settled without going to court, so reaching a settlement can happen at any point that both parties agree on fair compensation. However, in most states, once an agreement has been reached, it cannot be changed, so it's a good idea to wait long enough to ensure that there are no additional injuries before settling.

Litigation for semi truck accidents is similar to auto accidents, but it's usually more complicated because any number of parties may ultimately be responsible for the accident, including the company that handles the truck's maintenance or repairs. If attempts at negotiating a settlement with the responsible party are unsuccessful, the lawsuit may proceed to trial. In some cases, more than one party is responsible and one of the parties may fight the lawsuit and claim no responsibility. For these reasons, it's important to seek legal help from an attorney with experience in litigating semi truck accidents.