A tractor trailer accident is one of the most devastating accidents that can occur on the open road. A collision with a tractor trailer can wreck a family. Because of the sheer size and weight of a large commercial truck, the force of the impact in a collision is often fatal. Critical injuries and extensive vehicle damage are common in tractor trailer accidents, and the fallout is costly. What should you do if you or a loved one were in a tractor trailer accident in South Carolina?
After any accident, a lawyer can be an invaluable resource. As the victim of a tractor trailer collision, you should learn as much as possible about your rights and how to protect your rights. Trucking companies are often more concerned with their loss of profits and will be working to mitigate that in whatever way they can, including painting you as the person at-fault. You need someone in your corner who will zealously advocate for you, and a personal injury lawyer will do just that.
Common Injuries Sustained
in Tractor Trailer Accidents
Victims of tractor trailer accidents are much less likely to walk away unharmed than those who are involved in car accidents or even motorcycle accidents. The injuries that are incurred during a truck accident tend to be severe, not only due to the force of the truck, but also the speed. Many truck accidents occur on highways where speed triples and even quadruples the force exerted in the accident. The most common injuries that are seen in these types of collisions include but are not limited to:
- Open and closed head injuries
- Penetrating brain injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Loss of limb
- Blood loss
- Internal organ injuries
- Crush injuries
- Death
Frequently, victims of tractor trailer accidents will need emergency hospitalization, surgery, invasive medical procedures, and extended care, including medication and physical therapy. Rarely will a victim of a truck accident walk away with no injuries at all. They may be unable to return to work for a significant period of time, and often are found to be permanently disabled and unable to return to work at all. Victims and their families face many challenges after this type of accident, including financial and emotional strain.
Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death
Truck accidents often cause the death of one or more people who were involved in the collision. If the trucking company is found to be at fault for the crash, it is considered a wrongful death, and the case changes in some ways. Compensation is still sought, but is procedures are different as a probate estate must be opened and a personal representative must be appointed. This person takes on the lead role as plaintiff in a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Experts hired could be different or in additional to those hired where loss of life is not involved.
When You Need a Lawyer
If you or a loved one were involved in a South Carolina tractor trailer accident, you need legal representation as soon as possible for many reasons. These serious collisions can severely impact and work to tear apart a family. An attorney can help you pursue financial compensation after a devastating accident and can help protect the critical evidence in your case from destruction. The stress and complexity of these cases is significant. Do not attempt to handle these claims alone. There are different ways to resolve these matters that may impact your ability to financially recover fully. It is important to realize that no matter how nice an insurance company adjuster may seem; they are not resolving the claim in your best interests. Insurance companies are driven by profit metrics and statistics that force them to resolve claims in their favor and not in the interest of the injured person or families.
Commercial trucking companies in particular work quickly after an accident. Many times, we have dealt with cases where defense attorneys show up at the scene of the accident, even before all the debris has been cleared away. Certain laws allow trucking companies to destroy pertinent evidence, including log books and onboard recording devices unless an attorney makes a demand that evidence to remain intact. By getting a lawyer involved in the case immediately, you can ensure that evidence that proves negligence on the part of the driver or the trucking company itself is preserved and can be used in court to support your accident claim.
In order to protect your rights after a truck accident, it is absolutely critical that you contact an experienced tractor trailer accident lawyer as soon as you are able to after the collision.
What Will a Tractor Trailer
Accident Claim Pay For?
Truck accidents are costly and can result in medical expenses, vehicle damages, and lost wages. In the event that a death resulted from the accident, there will be funeral expenses and lost future wages. Emotional costs of an accident include pain and suffering and loss of consortium. In many cases, the costs related to a truck accident total in the hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars depending on the extent of the injuries suffered and how many victims were involved.
Full medical expenses incurred as a result of your injury, regardless of health insurance payments, can include:
- The future cost of treatment to the extent known;
- Loss of wages;
- The loss of future wages;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Future loss of enjoyment of life;
- Pain and suffering;
- Future pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement; and
- Loss of consortium injury suffered by your spouse.
A seasoned lawyer can help you recover damages for these losses. Although money will hardly help life get back to normal after a devastating crash, it can help cover the many astronomical expenses caused by the accident. Receiving an adequate settlement after a truck accident can also help you take the time you need to recover without feeling pressured to return to work due to financial strain. After being involved in a life changing collision with a large commercial truck, it’s important that you have time to heal both physically and emotionally before getting back on track with your life.
Visit our Tractor Trailer Accident Facts Page for more information: How a Truck Accident Lawyer Will Use Industry Laws to Your Advantage and How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You Pursue a Claim
Contact Guest & Brady Today for More Information
At Guest & Brady, LLC, we understand how difficult recovering after a tractor trailer accident or the loss of a loved one in such an accident can be. We know that dealing with the fallout of an accident can feel impossible for victims, and we’re dedicated to providing the compassionate and caring legal support needed for victims to pursue full and fair compensation.
Our team of experienced South Carolina truck accident lawyers can help you negotiate with insurance companies and bring forward a claim of negligence when a tractor trailer accident changes your life forever. We will zealously advocate for your rights throughout the legal process, from the initial filing of the accident claim to negotiations with insurance companies and in court, if your case is to be tried in front of a judge and jury. You can trust that when you work with Guest & Brady, LLC, your case is in capable and competent hands.
Call us today to discuss your case in detail and learn more about your legal options at 864.233.7200, or submit the Free Case Evaluation form on this page.