Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys
A truck crash is different from a car crash. First, the accident is likely very serious — cars do not stand up well in collisions with 40-ton vehicles, so the chances of catastrophic injury or death are very high. Second, the truck is a commercial vehicle, usually owned and operated by a business. Finally, truck accidents require research and particular knowledge. The owners of both truck and trailer are often out of state and hard to locate. Your lawyer needs to be knowledgeable about the Federal Motor Carrier Act and all the special state and federal laws that apply to commercial vehicles.
Knowledgeable South Carolina Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys
For all these reasons, you want the most experienced truck accident injury lawyer you can find when you are in such an accident, or have lost a loved one in such an accident. Douglas Jennings Law Firm, LLC, of Bennettsville, has been holding trucking companies accountable when they cause serious damages for many years. We are respected for our thorough investigative prowess as well as our aggressiveness in seeking fair compensation for our clients. We have the sophistication to mount complex accident reconstructions and to analyze stacked layers of insurance coverage held by multiple owners.
Skillfull Trucking Accident Attorneys
We research driver’s logs, police reports and other evidence to establish what happened and whose fault it was. Sometimes drivers are ill-trained or the safety equipment is poorly maintained. Sometimes a product like a tire or a brake proves defective. Sometimes we learn that a driver was overtired or drunk.
When we accept your case, we go after offending trucking companies with all our legal experience and skills. We know how important your award or settlement is to getting your family back on its feet again. We want your compensation package to take care of all your needs for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tractor-Trailer Accidents
After a truck accident, it is critically important to ask the right questions – and to get clear, concise answers. Here are some of the most important things to know:
What evidence is crucial for a tractor-trailer accident case?
Truck accidents of any kind can be highly complex. When proving liability for an accident, some of the most crucial evidence will include the police report, eyewitness accounts of the events leading up to and, during the accident, the “black box” data from the truck’s electronic logging device (which can capture speed, braking patterns and hours of operation), cell phone records, vehicle maintenance records, dash cam footage and the victim’s medical records.
Can I still file a claim if the accident was partially my fault?
South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence system, so as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the accident, you can still file a claim. Your compensation may be reduced, however, by whatever percentage of fault is attributed to you.
What are the unique challenges of handling tractor-trailer accident cases compared to car accidents?
Tractor-trailers weigh 20 to 30 times the average passenger vehicle, which means that accidents involving these trucks lead to more catastrophic injuries and fatalities. The stakes for victims and their families can be much higher, and commercial insurers may aggressively fight claims due to the potential dollar amounts involved.
In addition, there may be multiple responsible parties, including the driver, the trucking company, cargo companies, maintenance providers and more. Determining liability can be very difficult, especially when everybody is pointing a finger at everybody else.
Finally, it is best to act quickly to make sure that critical evidence in the trucking company’s possession, such as logbooks and black box data, is not altered or destroyed.
Can you help if the trucking company or driver is from out of state?
Yes. You have the right to file an accident claim in the state where the accident occurred, regardless of where the company is located.
How does insurance coverage work in tractor-trailer accident cases?
The insurance primarily comes from the trucking company’s commercial liability coverage, which generally has higher limits than standard car insurance policies. In cases involving multiple liable parties, the interaction between insurance policies can be difficult to navigate without legal assistance.
Semitrailers ∙ Overweight Vehicles ∙ Alcohol-Related Deaths
But we are motivated to obtain maximum compensation for another reason: The Pee Dee Region is our home. We want to send a loud and clear message to trucking companies — drive safely through our towns. Oversized vehicles are privileged to use our streets and highways. Companies who violate this trust and endanger our families and children must be held accountable. Nothing is more important than safe public highways for our families.
When you need a skilled tractor-trailer accident lawyer in the Bennettsville area, call Douglas Jennings Law Firm, LLC, in Bennettsville, at 843-535-4714 or toll free 800-639-8078, or write to us using this online form. We are eager to hear your story.
