Mount Pleasant, SC Truck Accident Lawyer

We drive alongside trucks and eighteen-wheelers all the time, but we often forget just how dangerous these enormous vehicles can be when things go wrong. If you were injured in a truck crash, our legal team will work to get you justice and fair compensation.

Part of what complicates truck collisions is that many people might be involved, and determining who is responsible can be difficult. Plaintiffs often sue negligent truck drivers and their employers. Certain third parties, like manufacturers of defective truck equipment, might also be implicated. How your accident happened is a crucial detail that might lead to more information and evidence we can use to support your claims. Head-on collisions, rollover crashes, and jackknife accidents are just a few common examples. You should seek help from a lawyer soon, as there is a limited time in which you have to file your case, or you risk losing your right to do so. We also need to maximize the time we have to search for evidence.

Get a free case evaluation from our truck accident lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.

People You Can Include in a Mount Pleasant, SC Truck Accident Case

As mentioned, truck accidents often involve numerous people. Many other drivers might be injured, and pedestrians or other passersby might have witnessed the crash. It is also possible that third parties not present at the crash are somehow connected to it. Our truck accident lawyers can assist you in determining who to include in your case.

Truckers

First, we should look at the truck driver involved in the crash. Many truck accidents are the direct result of trucker negligence. Even small mistakes behind the wheel of a giant vehicle like a truck can lead to utter disaster.

One important example of trucker negligence is fatigued driving. Truckers are known to be on the road for days or weeks and spend hours on end driving before they can rest. If truckers do not take adequate breaks, they might be too tired to drive and fall asleep behind the wheel. Truckers sometimes avoid breaks because they are under pressure from their employers to complete their trips as quickly as possible.

Truck Companies

If we plan on suing the truck driver who caused the accident, we might also sue the trucking company that employed them. Under the legal doctrine known as respondeat superior, employers like truck companies may be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by employees, like truckers, who were acting within the normal scope of their job when they caused the accident.

Including trucking companies is often a good idea as they are often better able to cover your damages. In truck accident cases, damages are known for being severe, and a defendant like a truck company might have greater financial resources to pay you fair compensation.

Third Parties

Some truck accidents can be traced back to parties not directly involved. For example, suppose your accident occurred because the truck was equipped with faulty brakes. Maybe the trucker tried to stop, but the brakes did not work. In that case, we can sue the manufacturer of the faulty brakes. This is why we must make sure the truck is thoroughly inspected after the accident. If anything was wrong with the truck itself, it might change the direction of your case.

We can also include other drivers who might have contributed to the accident. It is not unusual for a truck crash to result from negligence from truckers and other drivers around them.

Types of Truck Crashes and Collisions Possible in Mount Pleasant, SC

Every accident is unique and requires an individualized approach from the authorities and your attorneys. Knowing how your accident occurred might help us understand who is to blame and what evidence we need to prove it.

Head-On Collisions

A head-on crash with a truck is probably every driver’s worst nightmare. These collisions often happen very quickly, and drivers have little time to react and swerve out of the way. As you can imagine, the damage and injuries in these accidents can be extreme, even fatal. These kinds of accidents tend to be quite large and might affect numerous other drivers and passengers.

Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident occurs when a truck and trailer somehow tip over on the road. Numerous factors are often involved, and we might need to wait for the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation before we have an answer.

Many rollovers are caused by improperly loaded cargo. If cargo, especially heavy cargo, is not loaded in a certain way, the trailer might be off-balance and more likely to tip over if the trucker turns too quickly. When trucks roll over, the poor people next to it might be very badly injured.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident happens when the truck goes one way and the trailer swerves in the opposite direction. This kind of accident often happens when a truck driver is speeding and hits the brakes suddenly. While the truck slows down, the trailer does not, and the truck is pushed forward and to the side. The entire vehicle may swerve around in the road, injuring other drivers.

How Long Should You Wait After a Truck Accident to Sue in Mount Pleasant, SC

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina, under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5), gives plaintiffs only 3 years to file their claims. This limitation period begins to run on the date of the accident, which means the clock begins ticking almost immediately. If you do not file your case on time, talk to your attorney about possibly having the limitation period tolled.

Tolling is like pausing the clock on your limitations period, effectively pushing back your deadline to file your case. Tolling is only available in very specific circumstances. Simply forgetting to file or being unaware of the statute of limitations is not a reason for tolling.

According to § 15-3-40, the limitation period may be tolled for people with legal disabilities. A legal disability includes being a minor when the accident occurs or being under a mental condition that hinders your ability to understand your rights regarding the accident. In such cases, the limitation period may be tolled until you are 18 or your mental condition is removed.

Begin Your Case by Calling Our Mount Pleasant, SC Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Get a free case evaluation from our truck accident lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.