Truck Accident Small Firm. Big Practice. 

Charleston Truck Accident Lawyers

Comprehensive Legal Support for Truck Accident Victims in South Carolina

An accident involving a tractor-trailer can cause a lot of damage and harm. Because of the large size of these vehicles, when they collide with a passenger car, the individuals in the smaller vehicle often sustain serious injuries or even death. The results of an 18-wheeler crash can affect a person for the rest of their lives, causing them to suffer not just physical injury but also mental and financial harm. If you or a loved one were a truck accident victim in Charleston, South Carolina, you might have the right to pursue compensation for damages. However, taking care of the paperwork and other legal tasks involved in submitting a claim or a lawsuit can be difficult during this challenging time. That is why it may be in your best interests to retain the services of a Charleston personal injury attorney to help with the process.

At Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A., our skilled and compassionate lawyers are here to provide the counsel and guidance you need throughout your case. Pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be extremely complicated, as the causes of the collision may vary, and one or more parties may be liable. Our Charleston truck accident attorneys will work quickly to preserve evidence and build a unique legal strategy for you. We are ready to fight for just financial recovery on your behalf.

Call Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A. today at (843) 790-0083 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our truck accident attorney in Charleston!

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Carolina

Several factors can contribute to a tractor-trailer accident in South Carolina.

Some of the more common causes include, but are not limited to:

  • Negligence: Negligence refers to a driver failing to take the same amount of care a reasonable person would have under similar circumstances. It might be apparent in a truck accident if the driver were engaging in behaviors such as:
    • Texting while driving
    • Drunk driving
    • Driving while fatigued
    • Failing to obey the laws of the road (e.g., improper lane changes, willfully ignoring traffic signals)
  • Speeding: It goes without saying that 18-wheelers are huge. Because of their large size, they are challenging to maneuver, even under normal circumstances. If the driver was going above the speed limit or driving at a speed that was unsafe for the given road conditions, they could have trouble stopping, controlling their vehicle, or avoiding hazards.
  • Insufficient training: Drivers of large trucks must receive extensive training before operating these vehicles. If the trucking or training company did not adequately prepare the driver for various conditions, the individual might not know how to respond when encountering obstacles.
  • Mechanical issues: 18-wheelers must be inspected regularly. If the truck was not properly maintained or reported issues were not fixed, a mechanical failure could compromise the safety of others on the road.
  • Defective parts: If the parts on the vehicle were not designed or manufactured correctly, they could break or malfunction, making it difficult or impossible for the driver to control the truck.
  • Improper cargo load: Various rules and regulations exist concerning how a truck should be loaded. If the individuals loading the vehicle put too much weight on it or did not secure the cargo correctly, maneuverability may be decreased. The driver could have trouble steering the truck or breaking when encountering a hazardous situation.

Who is At Fault For a Truck Accident?

The different causes of truck accidents make these cases complicated. Various entities could be liable because so many things can contribute to the collision.

The parties that could be at fault for an 18-wheeler collision include:

  • The truck driver,
  • The trucking company,
  • The cargo loader and/or
  • The parts or vehicle manufacturer.

When pursuing a claim after a tractor-trailer crash, to prove liability, you must show that the responsible party owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty and the breach led to an accident that caused your injuries/compensable damages. Meeting this burden requires presenting evidence supporting your assertions.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Truck Accident Claim?

If you were injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you might have sustained harm requiring medical treatment. You might have also missed work while recovering, so your income may have suffered. If the crash was not your fault, you should not be stuck with the associated financial burdens. By pursuing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can seek to recover compensation for damages such as:

  • Current and future medical expenses,
  • Current and future lost wages,
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
  • Pain and suffering, and/or
  • Emotional distress.

The amount you may be able to recover depends on the facts of your case. At Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A., we will evaluate your case and assess damages to calculate a just compensation amount.

What Do I Do After a Truck Accident?

Being involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler can be an overwhelming experience. Because your emotions are high, it might be difficult to process what is going on fully. This reaction is understandable, but taking specific actions immediately after the crash is important to ensure you get the medical care you need to treat your injuries and have the details necessary to pursue a claim.

Below are some of the things you should do after your truck accident:

  • Ensure the safety of yourself and others: If you can, move to the side of the road and check on any other people involved. Also, call emergency services right away.
  • Give an accurate account of what happened to responding officers: Be detailed about what happened, as this information will go into the officer's report. Still, be cautious of what you say to others, as something you say might be construed as your admitting fault.
  • Exchange information with the driver: Be sure to get the driver's name, phone number, and insurance information.
  • Get contact information from witnesses: If anyone else saw the accident, get their name and phone number. Witnesses may be able to provide an objective account of what happened and corroborate your story.
  • Make notes of the scene: Take photos or videos of the accident scene. Get more than just the damage to your vehicle. Get shots of the surrounding areas – what might seem like an insignificant detail can play a large part in building your case. Additionally, jot down the weather and road conditions and any other pertinent information that may have contributed to the collision.
  • Get medical care as soon as possible: Have a doctor assess your injuries even if you do not think the harm you suffered was serious. Also, maintain a record of the treatment you have received and may need.
  • Speak with a personal injury lawyer: Start the insurance claims process immediately. Depending on the accident's severity, your case might require a lengthy investigation and take long to pursue a settlement with the insurance company. In South Carolina, you have only three years after an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530). Thus, if you wait to initiate a claim and can't settle the matter out of court, you risk missing the lawsuit deadline and forfeit your right to seek compensation.

Our Charleston truck accident attorneys are ready to act immediately and ensure all paperwork is filed promptly.

Why Hire Us?

At Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A., our truck accident lawyers in Charleston, SC, will handle all the details to prepare for your case.

Our team will, among other things:

  • Review photos and videos of the accident scene
  • Obtain driving logs and other records from the trucking company
  • Get police reports
  • Speak with witnesses
  • Collect and preserve all other relevant evidence about your case

We are thorough in our preparation and will leave no stone unturned as we pursue just compensation on your behalf.

Contact Our Charleston Truck Accident Attorney Today

When pursuing a claim or lawsuit after a tractor-trailer accident in South Carolina, you must go up against the liable party's insurance company or present your case to a judge or jury. The experience can be intimidating and frustrating. Our team is prepared to stand up for you during every stage of your case.

Contact Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A. today to schedule a meeting with our truck accident lawyer in Charleston!

We Give Our Clients Hope

Opinions from Those Who Matter Most
  • Chris Romeo (and his team) exceeded my expectations when handling an auto accident case for me.

    - J.W.
  • No one thinks of litigation as fun, however, in my own complicated case, I can tell you Jesse Kirchner not only made it "fun" but actually, interesting.

    - L.H.
  • We are very pleased with Christopher Romeo and his Paralegal April Warford. They work hard to get the job done for you.

    - A.E.
  • Mr. Thurman and his staff were very professional and efficient. They worked hard to get my case dismissed.

    - C.P.
/

Awards & Professional Affiliations

Respected By Our Clients & Peers
  • Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
  • Best Lawyers 2024
  • Best Law Firms
  • Charleston City Paper's 2021 Best DUI Attorney
  • BBB A+
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • South Carolina Bar
  • Top 40 Under 40
  • Martindale Hubbell
  • National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Charlestons Choice

Contact Us Today!

Schedule Your Free Consultation
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.

No information that you obtain from this website is legal advice, nor is it intended to be. You should consult an attorney for individualized advice regarding your own unique situation. Please do not send any confidential information in your message as the information you provide may not be deemed confidential. Use of this website and your request for a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship with Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A. or any of our attorneys.