Florence, SC Truck Accident Lawyer

Being hit by a large truck while driving a smaller passenger car could leave you with life-altering injuries that require compensation from the at-fault party, which our lawyers can assist with in Florence.

Right after truck accidents, preserving evidence by taking photos is important. Our attorneys can quickly obtain other evidence at risk of degrading with time, like eyewitness statements. While we prepare your lawsuit, you can get the appropriate medical care so your hospital records are complete. After we are confident in your case, we can file it, making sure to do so before the statute of limitations runs out. Throughout this time, we will track all compensable damages from the crash, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and intangible damages for pain and suffering.

Call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers to get help with your case from our truck accident lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Florence, SC

After truck accidents in Florence, our attorneys can immediately start helping victims prepare their compensation cases by preserving evidence, letting them focus on their physical recoveries, and filing lawsuits on time so victims’ claims are not dismissed.

Preserving Evidence

Preserving physical evidence immediately after truck crashes is possible through taking photos. Victims can photograph their visible injuries, damage to their vehicles, and any noticeable debris left on the road. Our attorneys can use these pictures and images from police officers or eyewitnesses when preparing claims and reconstructing accidents with experts.

We can help preserve other vital evidence, like eyewitness statements. To ensure witnesses’ statements are accurate and benefit your case, our attorneys will prioritize identifying and interviewing them. When victims cannot talk to witnesses themselves because they are too hurt, police officers might, so we may learn contact information from the crash report. Police reports may tell us other information to investigate further, like possible contributing causes or environmental factors, so obtaining these reports is crucial after collisions.

Getting Medical Attention

Your main focus after suffering injuries in a truck accident should be getting medical care. If you are at all injured, do not hesitate to ask for paramedics when you call 911. Police officers may note in their report whether or not you accept medical care at the scene, so do not reject assistance from emergency medical professionals, especially if they advise you to go to the hospital.

Getting immediate medical attention may help our truck accident lawyers prove causation later during your lawsuit, as your hospital records will align with the crash’s date and time. Your injuries may necessitate long-term care from specialists and physicians, so follow your treatment plan closely. Allowing gaps to form in your medical records could raise questions about your injuries and their seriousness, so focus on your physical recovery while our attorneys prepare your compensation claim in Florence.

Filing Your Case

Our attorneys can ensure we file a timely case so that you do not miss the window of opportunity to sue following your accident. Lawsuits against negligent truckers or their employers must be brought within three years, generally speaking. While you have the full amount of time provided under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) to sue, unnecessarily delaying your case could lead to issues down the line. Waiting to file could mean you also waited to preserve evidence or interview witnesses, which could make it harder to meet the standard of proof. For a claim to be accepted, it must be filed appropriately and in the right court, which our lawyers can ensure when overseeing your truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina.

Damages to Track After Truck Accidents in Florence, SC

When handling victims’ claims for truck accidents, our attorneys will track all compensable damages, namely medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Anticipating your deserved recovery before filing is important, so we can accurately assess settlement proposals from the defense.

Medical Expenses

Because of their size and power over smaller passenger cars, trucks typically cause serious damage and bad injuries during accidents. This, in turn, causes expensive medical damages for victims. While one visit to the emergency room could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, many drivers hurt in truck accidents need continuous care. Their medical damages might continue to grow after their lawsuits conclude, so we will also factor in future expenses and treatments into compensation requests.

We will start tracking your medical expenses right away, considering all costs related to your injuries, large and small. For example, while any surgery should be covered, so should the cost of wheelchairs, crutches, or other mobility aids.

Lost Wages

We can also evaluate how your injuries have affected your income and seek the appropriate damages as compensation. For example, if a back injury left you temporarily disabled and unable to work, our attorneys would base your damages on your previous income before the accident. When victims’ earning capacities are significantly and permanently reduced due to their injuries, we can also seek damages for upcoming lost wages.

Pain and Suffering

As you physically recover from truck accident injuries, our attorneys can help you gauge the mental and emotional consequences you have experienced. Pain and suffering are intangible damages, but our lawyers may help track them by having you see mental health experts who can testify during a potential trial. Victims can give their own statements about their reduced quality of life because of their injuries, shedding light on the struggles they have dealt with because of the defendant’s negligence and convincing the jury to give more compensation for non-economic damages. Underestimating your intangible damages could lead you to accept a lowball settlement, which we can prevent when handling your case in South Carolina.

How Trucking Distribution Centers May Be Involved in an Accident Case

When you see a truck on the highway, it may be coming from or going to a distribution center. Depending on the trucker’s relationship to the distribution center, it could be held liable for an accident.

Are Distribution Centers Responsible for Accidents?

Distribution centers are crucial parts of regional and national supply chains. They often act as warehouses where various goods and merchandise are stored before being picked up or delivered by trucks. If the truck driver who caused your accident works for one of these distribution centers, the center may be held responsible. As such, it is important that we figure out how the distribution center is connected to the truck and the truck driver.

How Do I Know Which Distribution center is Involved in the Accident?

We may need to review trucking logs and records to determine which distribution center is involved in the case. It may be a local center that facilitates regional supply chains. Alternatively, the truck might have been coming from or going to a larger, national distribution center. If truck drivers and their employers refuse to provide this information, we can ask the court to compel them to do so during the discovery phase.

Can I Sue a Distribution Center for a Truck Accident?

You may be able to sue a distribution center after an accident. Even if the distribution center did not employ the trucker, there could be other acts of negligence that make the distribution center liable. For example, if the distribution center was responsible for loading the cargo but did so in a way that left the trailer unbalanced and likely to topple over, it could be held responsible for the accident.

FAQs About Truck Accident Cases in Florence, SC

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Many truck accidents stem from truck driver negligence. Common examples include, but are not limited to, driving while distracted, fatigued driving, speeding, and driving with an unbalanced or improperly loaded trailer.

Can I Sue for Damages After Being Injured in a Truck Crash?

Yes. If you believe the truck driver is responsible, they and their employer may be named in a lawsuit for damages. Your attorney can help you determine whether filing a lawsuit is best or if other legal options may be better suited to your needs.

How Are Distribution Centers Involved in Truck Accidents?

A distribution center is like a trucking hub. They often store goods trucked in by manufacturers before they are trucked back out to customers and retailers. If the negligent trucker who caused your accident is an employee of the distribution center, the distribution center might be held responsible.

How Do I Start a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

You may begin a lawsuit by hiring an attorney to help you draft a formal legal complaint. The complaint is a legal document that spells out how the accident happened, who you believe is responsible, your damages, and some evidence backing up your claims. It can take time to prepare an effective complaint, and you should contact a lawyer soon.

Can I File a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident with a Truck?

Yes. Most of the time, injured drivers file claims with the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. A commercial truck driver typically has much greater insurance than the average driver, and your attorney can help you start a claim. You should also consider filing a claim with the trucker’s employer’s insurance.

What Are Damages in a Truck Crash Case Worth?

Your damages may be worth considerable compensation, depending on your injuries and losses. Hospital bills may be very high, and you might also face expensive property damage and repairs. More subjective damages, like pain and suffering, may also be significant. It is not unusual for plaintiffs in serious accidents to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.

Do I Have to Go to Court to Get Compensation After a Truck Collision?

Not necessarily. While suing for damages and having a trial in court may help you recover damages, it might not be your only option. Most injured drivers file insurance claims before they sue, and others might accept a settlement offer from the defendant.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me with My Truck Accident Claims?

An attorney can help you decide how to pursue legal action and determine the value of your claims. While an attorney cannot guarantee success, they can significantly help you and may increase your odds of getting fair compensation.

When Should I Start a Lawsuit After Being Injured in a Truck Accident?

To start a lawsuit, a lawyer should help you draft a formal complaint and file it with the right court. The complaint should contain specific information about the accident, your damages, and evidence to support your claims. It must be filed in the court with jurisdiction over the case.

Where Do I Find Evidence to Support My Truck Accident Case?

Evidence may come from numerous sources, but it often comes from the accident scene itself. Photos from the crash, security camera footage, witness testimony, and more may be waiting to be collected.

When Do I Get Monetary Compensation After a Truck Accident?

Compensation usually takes some time, and you may have to wait a little while after a successful lawsuit. The defendant may need time to gather funds, and the money may need to go through the courts before it gets to you. Expect to wait at least a few weeks. Especially contentious cases or those involving high damages may take a few months.

Call Our Lawyers in Florence, SC About Your Recent Truck Crash

Call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000 to discuss your case for free with our truck accident lawyers.