Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer

Any type of accident with any vehicle is already serious and traumatic. You’re moving at high speeds and surrounded by metal and glass, nevermind the possibility of concrete and pavement, too. The injuries you could suffer in just a car accident alone are dangerous and possibly permanent. When the other vehicle is six times the size of yours, however, the damage can be much more severe and even fatal.

When disaster strikes, you need a Greenville truck accident lawyer from HawkLaw, PA, to help. The amount of compensation you need is high, but the suffering you’ve experienced can block you from acting in time. So, seek out help and get the coverage you need for your suffering.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Truck crashes aren’t simple. Like any other vehicle accident, there are many factors to the crash, which can affect who’s responsible and how much they’re responsible for, making it difficult to pin this information down.

18-wheeler accidents can be especially complex. Trucks are difficult to maneuver correctly, so even an attentive, careful driver can lose control of their vehicle. However, pinning down the details will be vital to building your claim. If you can’t prove that the other driver is responsible, you may not be able to fight for compensation from that person.

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck crash, you may look into some of the following reasons for semi-truck accidents:

• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Defective or improperly used parts

Liability in 18-Wheeler Accidents

Once you’ve determined who caused the accident, whether that’s the truck driver, a different vehicle, or another factor, you’ll need to find who’s financially responsible. In most vehicle crash claims, this is simple: The driver is responsible for their actions and for any costs they’ve caused you.

Not every claim is so simple, especially when the driver is at work (which is the case in many semi accidents). They wouldn’t have been behind the wheel otherwise, and when they are, they’re the responsibility of their employer. This doctrine of liability means that you won’t always be able to simply file against the truck driver. Instead, you may need to contact the employer for compensation after the accident.

So what if they’re not the person responsible for the accident? In some cases, while they may have been the one who lost control, it may not have been through inattention or negligence. Instead, something may have gone wrong with the vehicle. A malfunctioning part is typically the responsibility of the manufacturer, so you’ll need to find them in order to file your claim.

Unfortunately, many semi-truck accidents have many factors to them, which means you might struggle to find the actual cause for your accident. When this happens, you’ll need to speak to a lawyer and get the help you need unraveling your Greenville truck accident claim.

South Carolina Laws on Truck Crashes

Once you’ve found the person financially responsible for your claim, you’ll need to keep going to prepare your claim. You’ll need to also focus on South Carolina laws, which won’t just affect the driver who injured you. If you’re not focused on the laws’ effects, you could be left without compensation for your suffering.

For example, you’ll need to ensure that you’re acting in time to get your compensation. Many accident victims wait too long, either because they believe they have more time or because they’re simply overwhelmed by their current situation. Unfortunately, you’ll have only three years to file your claim. If you don’t file in time, you’ll be barred from recovery.

Keep in mind that some damages may also be capped by law. For example, if you believe that a government agency caused your accident, you might not receive the full compensation you might be owed. Your nonfinancial damages will be capped at $300,000, so you’ll need help seeking your maximum compensation.

Negligence Law

Seeking the max amount you should receive isn’t the only step, however. While you’ll need to prove the blame rests with another party, you’ll also need to avoid being personally blamed for the accident. In South Carolina, sharing blame for your wreck with a semi could mean losing your chance for compensation.

South Carolina is a comparative negligence state. That means that if you’re accused of any responsibility, your compensation will be reduced by that amount. So, if you’re found 10 percent responsible, you’ll only receive 90 percent of your compensation. If you’re found more than 50 percent at fault, your claim will be dismissed.

When you’re already struggling to recover and get your compensation, this can be devastating. Even 10 percent could mean losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars that you need for recovery. As such, you’ll need help protecting your claim and its full value. A good accident lawyer won’t just help build your claim. They will also help you defend it.

Compensation after a Truck Accident

While you should be ready to defend your claim, it may be tough to determine what that claim should be worth. You’ll need to cover all your damages, but without the right tools, that can be difficult to do alone. While some financial losses won’t be as hard to determine, you’ll need complete coverage for your suffering.

For example, you’ll need all your economic damages covered, which should include any financial losses. This type of damage includes the following (in addition to other costs):

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Don’t forget about your non-economic damages, too. These damages should cover all nonfinancial, intangible losses, which can be tough to calculate. Non-economic damages are calculated based on impact and severity, so get help calculating any damages like the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disfigurement

Punitive Damages

Unfortunately, the trucker responsible for the crash might have been especially reckless when they caused the accident. Worse, you might have been willfully injured, so you’ll need to take action. While that can be difficult, you might be entitled to further damages—punitive damages—because of their actions in this case.

Punitive damages aren’t like economic and non-economic damages. While those damages are meant to compensate you, they can give you peace of mind when someone is dangerously negligent. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for being grossly negligent, so you’ll be winning a bit of justice for what happened to you.

Seek Out a Greenville Semi Crash Lawyer

Truck accidents can be devastating and difficult to overcome. You’ve suffered some painful experiences, and you’ll need help overcoming that suffering. Fortunately, you don’t have to fight back alone when a truck hurts you. Instead, you can seek out a truck crash attorney from HawkLaw, PA.

Our lawyers understand how difficult it can be to recover from a truck accident, as well as how complex truck crashes are. When you’re confused and struggling to file a claim, you’ll need help, which is where our free claim reviews come in. We’ll discuss your claim with you so you know what we can do and what we can offer to help.

Considering filing a claim? Get the help you need with your claim by calling a Greenville truck accident lawyer. The legal guidance you need is only a call or click away. When you’re ready to get started, give us a call at 1-888-HAWK-LAW (429-5529) or complete the online form below.