A truck accident has the potential to stop you from working, require extensive medical treatment, and cause you to experience pain and suffering. Get compensation for these damages and more with our lawyers’ help after a collision.

You may sue the trucking company for an accident due to the negligence of one of its employees, as long as they were working at the time. You may also sue the trucking company for accidents due to missed vehicle inspections or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) violations. Economic damages, non-economic damages, and sometimes even punitive damages can come from a truck accident lawsuit our lawyers handle.

Call the Graves Injury Law Firm at (305) 614-2767 for a free case assessment from our truck accident lawyers.

Why Can You Sue a Trucking Company for a Truck Accident in Charleston, SC?

The companies that own commercial trucks and employ commercial truck drivers may be liable for truck accidents for several reasons.

Vicarious Liability

Respondeat superior is a type of vicarious liability that lets victims hold an employer liable for the negligence of their employee while working. This is why you may be able to sue the trucking company that employs the driver for an accident the driver causes. The employee must have been acting within the scope and course of their employment for their employer to be liable for damages caused.

Direct Liability

Trucking companies can also be directly liable for truck accidents. Violating FMCSA guidelines, failing to conduct annual vehicle inspections, or retaining a trucker with a history of traffic violations or accidents can create liability for trucking companies.

What Damages Can You Sue for After a Charleston, SC Truck Accident?

Trust our attorneys to add up all compensatory damages and to assess the defendant’s conduct in case it was egregious enough to seek punitive damages as well.

Economic Damages

Sue for economic damages after a truck accident with our truck accident lawyers’ help. Economic damages include any concrete expenses you would not have incurred if not for the defendant’s negligence. Common economic damages include lost wages, hospital bills, and property damage costs.

Non-Economic Damages

You may also be entitled to non-economic damages in the aftermath of a truck accident. Painful, disabling, disfiguring, and permanent injuries can be extremely distressing for victims and negatively affect their quality of life. Non-economic damages may be a crucial part of your recovery, so do not misjudge these damages when building your case.

Punitive Damages

If a plaintiff provides clear and convincing evidence of a defendant’s willful, wanton, or reckless conduct during a trial, they may be awarded additional punitive damages. Each claimant in a personal injury lawsuit may recover up to three times their compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever amount is larger.

How Can You Get Enough Compensation for a Truck Accident from a Settlement?

A settlement can provide sufficient compensation after a truck accident, but it typically takes time and experience in handling settlement negotiations.

Reject lowball offers that do not adequately compensate you. The other side may start low purposefully, in case you do not know the true value of your case and think their initial offer is fair. The first settlement offer is most likely not the best you can get, so do not accept it immediately.

We may use eyewitness statements, video footage, and other strong evidence as leverage during negotiations and when proposing counteroffers. Typically, plaintiffs must be patient to receive sufficient compensation for truck accident injuries through a settlement.

Truck Accident FAQs

Can a Truck Manufacturer Be Liable for an Accident?

Truck manufacturers can be liable for accidents caused by vehicle design or production defects, such as failed brakes or a sudden loss of steering control. Not conducting adequate safety testing and failing to warn drivers about known risks also creates liability for truck manufacturers.

Can a Passenger Car Driver Be Liable for a Truck Accident?

Passenger cars darting in front of trucks or making other risky maneuvers near these large vehicles might force a truck driver to react, involving you in the accident. When this happens, the passenger car driver might be mostly liable for your injuries.

What if You Share Fault for a Truck Accident in Charleston, SC?

Sharing fault for a truck accident only blocks you from getting compensation in South Carolina if your liability outweighs the defendant’s. Otherwise, you may still seek damages, though they could be reduced if you are found partially liable.

When is the Latest You Can File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Most likely, the latest you can file a truck accident lawsuit in Charleston is 3 years from the date of the accident. Sometimes, the accrual date is not the accident date but a later date, such as the date a minor victim reaches adulthood.

What Medical Evidence Do You Need to Prove Truck Accident Injuries?

Proving truck accident injuries requires several sets of medical records. You will most likely have to go to the emergency room for immediate treatment. We can obtain those records, as well as documents detailing ongoing care from specialists in the weeks and months afterward.

How Can Eyewitness Testimony Help Your Truck Accident Case?

Eyewitness statements can align with the facts we present in your case, including information from the event data recorders of the truck and your vehicle, as well as the results of accident reconstruction.

What Are Common Mistakes Made During Truck Accident Lawsuits?

Common mistakes victims make when seeking damages for truck accidents include apologizing and admitting partial fault, failing to call 911 or report the accident, giving recorded statements to insurers, delaying medical treatment, missing scheduled doctor appointments, returning to work prematurely, and engaging in physical activities that might exacerbate injuries.

Get Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries in Charleston, SC

Call our truck accident lawyers at (305) 614-2767 today for help with your case from the Graves Injury Law Firm.