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Hopkins, SC Truck Accident Lawyer + Commercial 18-Wheeler
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    Hopkins, SC Truck Accident Lawyer + Commercial 18-Wheeler

    Truck accidents are among the worst highway accidents. Drivers are often badly hurt and sustain extensive damage to their vehicles. Many commercial truck accidents involve 18-wheelers operated by negligent truckers. Your attorney should help you get compensation for your numerous injuries and damages.

    To prepare your truck accident case in Hopkins, SC, you should contact an experienced lawyer who has handled accident cases similar to yours. Your attorney should gather evidence about the accident and help you file insurance claims. If you exhaust your insurance options and still have outstanding damages, your lawyer may help you file a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawsuit begins with a formal legal complaint filed in civil court, and your attorney is your lifeline throughout the entire case.

    Ask our truck accident lawyers for a free, confidential legal review by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

    How Do I Prepare a Lawsuit for a Truck or 18-Wheeler Accident in Hopkins, SC?

    Preparing a lawsuit can take time, and it is best to call a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. In South Carolina, plaintiffs have only 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit.

    Contact a Lawyer

    First, you need to contact a Hopkins lawyer as soon as you can. While your first priority should be getting medical help, your second priority should be getting legal help. You may have serious injuries and damages that you cannot pay for on your own. Your lawyer can help you make the person responsible for the accident cover your costs.

    Gather Evidence

    Your lawyer should begin gathering evidence from the accident. This may include, but is not limited to, security camera videos, dashcam footage, witness statements, medical records about your injuries, and certain business records from the trucking company. The exact evidence you need will depend on your circumstances.

    Draft a Formal Complaint

    Once you have the evidence and information you need, your lawyer should draft a formal legal complaint. The complaint must include detailed information about you, the defendant, how the accident happened, and your damages. Our commercial truck accident lawyers must also present at least some evidence supporting your claim to show you have a valid cause of action.

    The complaint must be filed in civil court, and the defendant notified, before the 3-year limitation period expires.

    FAQs About Commercial Truck Accidents and 18-Wheeler Collisions in Hopkins, SC

    What Are Common Injuries in Truck Accident Cases?

    Injuries in commercial truck accidents tend to be severe. Many drivers experience bone fractures, lacerations, and soft-tissue damage. More serious injuries may include back injuries, spinal cord damage, and head and brain injuries. It is not unusual for victims to live with serious medical complications for many years or forever.

    Who Should I Sue for Damages After an Accident with an 18-Wheeler?

    If you pursue a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney can help you sue the negligent trucker and their employer. Employers may be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by negligent employees. As such, the trucker’s employer may be on the hook for your damages. If other drivers contributed to the accident, you may be able to sue them, too.

    Does Auto Insurance Cover Accidents with 18-Wheelers?

    Yes. All drivers, including truckers operating large 18-wheelers, must have insurance. If you are in a crash with a commercial truck, you may file insurance claims with the trucker’s insurance and their employer’s insurance. Your attorney can help you coordinate benefits between multiple insurance claims.

    Can I Negotiate a Settlement After a Truck Crash in Hopkins, SC?

    Yes. Many defendants, including negligent truckers and their employers, are willing to settle to avoid a lengthy and possibly embarrassing courtroom battle. You should not accept any settlement offer without reviewing it with your lawyer. If the settlement is not good enough, your attorney can help you negotiate for a better one.

    What Can a Lawyer Do to Help Me After a Truck Accident?

    An attorney can help you explore all your legal options, including insurance and lawsuits. Generally, you should exhaust your insurance options before filing a lawsuit, and your attorney should help you every step of the way. This includes gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and communicating with defendants and insurance companies on your behalf.

    How Do I Claim Damages in a Truck Accident Case?

    Damages tend to be based on financial costs and subjective painful experiences. Economic damages often include medical bills and property damage, while non-economic damages revolve around pain and suffering. Your specific damages may vary based on how you were injured, how your injuries affect your daily life, and the overall cost of the accident.

    Should I Call the Police After a Truck or 18-Wheeler Accident?

    Yes. When you or someone else calls 911, the police should be dispatched to the accident scene immediately. They may render emergency aid, take control of the accident scene, and investigate. Once their investigation is complete, they may issue a formal report with their findings. The police report may contain information about useful evidence we can use to support your claims.

    How Do I Locate Witnesses for My Truck Accident Case in Hopkins, SC?

    A commercial truck accident often affects many drivers and often has numerous witnesses. It is a good idea to exchange information with as many other drivers as possible so you can contact them later to ask for their testimony. If we need to locate more witnesses, we can review security camera videos and police reports to identify them.

    What Should I Do if My Loved One Was Killed in a Truck Accident?

    If you lost a loved one in an accident with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, you may sue for damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. You may claim damages you and your family experienced as a direct result of your loved one’s passing. Additionally, you may claim damages your loved one suffered as a direct result of the truck accident before they passed away.

    How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for a Truck Accident in Hopkins, SC?

    In South Carolina, personal injury plaintiffs have 3 years from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit in court. If this time runs out and you have not filed your case, you may be time-barred from suing for your damages.

    Seek Legal Help Now from Our Hopkins, SC Truck Accident Attorneys

    Ask our truck accident lawyers for a free, confidential legal review by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

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    Results

    $8.5 Million
    Client’s husband was struck and killed by a speeding driver working for a South Carolina corporation who was in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the crash. The decedent left behind a spouse and three children.
    Client’s husband was struck and killed by a speeding driver working for a South Carolina corporation who was in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the crash. The decedent left behind a spouse and three children.
    $6.2 Million
    Client was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle that was distracted at the time of the crash. The event occurred on a rural South Carolina roadway. Claims were brought against the driver as well as the corporation.
    Client was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle that was distracted at the time of the crash. The event occurred on a rural South Carolina roadway. Claims were brought against the driver as well as the corporation.
    $6 Million
    The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a failing component of a commercial motor vehicle that fell from the vehicle into the roadway. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer as well as the manufacturer of the vehicle.
    The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a failing component of a commercial motor vehicle that fell from the vehicle into the roadway. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer as well as the manufacturer of the vehicle.
    $5 Million
    The client’s child was killed in a crash involving a trucking company. Claims were brought against both the trucking company and the owner of the faulty equipment that was unsafe for use on the roadway.
    The client’s child was killed in a crash involving a trucking company. Claims were brought against both the trucking company and the owner of the faulty equipment that was unsafe for use on the roadway.
    $4.1 Million
    The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a refrigeration system that malfunctioned, spraying ammonia gas into the Plaintiff's face. As a result of this event, the Plaintiff sustained significant vision loss. The Plaintiff brought claims against his employer and the manufacturer of this system.
    The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a refrigeration system that malfunctioned, spraying ammonia gas into the Plaintiff's face. As a result of this event, the Plaintiff sustained significant vision loss. The Plaintiff brought claims against his employer and the manufacturer of this system.
    $2 Million
    The Plaintiff was injured while riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. This event occurred in the city of Columbia and the Plaintiff sustained significant bodily injury resulting in extensive medical expenses and permanent injury.
    The Plaintiff was injured while riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. This event occurred in the city of Columbia and the Plaintiff sustained significant bodily injury resulting in extensive medical expenses and permanent injury.
    $1.8 Million
    The Plaintiff was injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 20. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and driver of the tractor trailer for his injuries relate to his lower back.
    The Plaintiff was injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 20. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and driver of the tractor trailer for his injuries relate to his lower back.
    $1.5 Million
    The Plaintiff sustained significant injury when she was attacked by a dog while performing repairs on a rental property. The Plaintiff was at the rental property as part of her employment with a rental management agency. She was attacked by the animal and sustained permanent nerve damage in her legs.
    The Plaintiff sustained significant injury when she was attacked by a dog while performing repairs on a rental property. The Plaintiff was at the rental property as part of her employment with a rental management agency. She was attacked by the animal and sustained permanent nerve damage in her legs.
    $1.3 Million
    The Plaintiff was killed as a result of a collision with a logging truck that had been improperly loaded by a timber harvester. The proceeds of the settlement were funded by both the timber harvester and the owner of the logging truck.
    The Plaintiff was killed as a result of a collision with a logging truck that had been improperly loaded by a timber harvester. The proceeds of the settlement were funded by both the timber harvester and the owner of the logging truck.
    $1.5 Million
    The Plaintiff underwent surgery to her neck as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck on the head by a piece of loading equipment at her job. The Plaintiff was employed by a national retailer and was engaged in stocking shelves when the piece of equipment failed. After settling her workers' compensation claim, the Plaintiff brought a claim against the manufacturer of this equipment.
    The Plaintiff underwent surgery to her neck as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck on the head by a piece of loading equipment at her job. The Plaintiff was employed by a national retailer and was engaged in stocking shelves when the piece of equipment failed. After settling her workers' compensation claim, the Plaintiff brought a claim against the manufacturer of this equipment.
    $1.1 Million
    The Plaintiff brought a claim against a local medical facility for a false positive HIV reading. As a result of this false positive, the Plaintiff lived for 4½ years believing that she had the virus which leads to what she feared was an eventual AIDS diagnosis.
    The Plaintiff brought a claim against a local medical facility for a false positive HIV reading. As a result of this false positive, the Plaintiff lived for 4½ years believing that she had the virus which leads to what she feared was an eventual AIDS diagnosis.
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