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Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC has represented more than 10,000 clients across North and South Carolina. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling injury claims, and our firm has recovered more than $100 million for clients in injury and disability cases.
As your Valley Falls truck accident lawyers, we investigate the collision, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue payment for the losses the crash caused.
Call today for a free consultation with one of our Valley Falls personal injury lawyers. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Hire a Valley Falls Truck Crash Attorney
Commercial truck claims often involve more evidence, more insurance coverage, and more potentially responsible parties than ordinary car accident cases. The truck driver may have caused the collision, but the trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loader, maintenance provider, or parts manufacturer may also bear responsibility.
Commercial carriers must also comply with federal and state safety requirements. These rules address driver qualifications, driving hours, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and cargo securement.
Our truck accident attorneys serving Valley Falls examine whether the driver or carrier violated applicable safety standards and whether that conduct contributed to the collision.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck crashes frequently result from unsafe driving, poor company practices, or mechanical failures that should have been identified before the vehicle entered the road.
Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue and violations of hours-of-service rules.
- Distracted driving involving phones or dispatch systems.
- Speeding or following another vehicle too closely.
- Unsafe lane changes or failure to yield.
- Inadequate driver training or supervision.
- Defective brakes, tires, lights, or steering components.
- Failure to inspect or maintain the truck.
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo.
- Alcohol or drug impairment.
A collision may have several contributing causes. We review the conduct of the driver and the business practices of the carrier rather than limiting the investigation to the police report.
Parties Who May Be Liable for the Crash
Liability is not always limited to the person driving the truck. Several companies may participate in operating, loading, maintaining, or leasing a commercial vehicle.
Potential defendants may include:
- The truck driver.
- The motor carrier.
- The owner of the tractor or trailer.
- A driver-leasing company.
- A cargo-loading company.
- A repair or maintenance contractor.
- A manufacturer of defective parts.
- Another driver involved in the collision.
Identifying all responsible parties can affect the insurance coverage and compensation available for your losses.
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident
If another party caused the collision, South Carolina law may allow you to seek compensation for your financial losses and the personal effects of your injuries.
Recoverable damages may include:
- Emergency medical treatment.
- Hospital and surgical expenses.
- Rehabilitation and future medical care.
- Prescription medication and medical equipment.
- Lost wages and employment benefits.
- Reduced future earning capacity.
- Vehicle and personal property damage.
- Pain and suffering.
- Disability and disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
If the collision resulted in death, the personal representative of the estate may be able to pursue wrongful death and survival claims for the benefit of eligible family members.
Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may generally recover compensation when you are 50 percent or less responsible for the collision. Your recovery may be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
A person found more than 50 percent responsible generally cannot recover from another negligent party.
Trucking insurers may argue that you were speeding, distracted, following too closely, or otherwise contributed to the crash. Our Valley Falls commercial truck crash lawyers review the available evidence and challenge fault allegations that are not supported by the facts.
Dealing With Trucking Companies and Insurers
A trucking company or insurer may contact you soon after the collision. You may be asked to provide a recorded statement, sign a medical authorization, or accept an early settlement.
You should not assume that these requests are intended to protect your interests. An early offer may not account for future treatment, reduced earning capacity, or permanent limitations.
When Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC represents you, we handle communications with the insurers and defense attorneys. We present evidence of liability, document your damages, evaluate settlement proposals, and advise you before you sign any release.
How Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC Can Help
Our firm handles the legal and insurance issues while you focus on your medical care.
We may:
- Investigate the collision.
- Preserve trucking and electronic records.
- Identify liable parties and insurance policies.
- Gather medical and employment documentation.
- Calculate present and future losses.
- Consult medical, financial, or reconstruction professionals when appropriate.
- Negotiate with insurers and defense counsel.
- File a lawsuit when court action is necessary.
We keep you informed throughout the case and provide advice based on the evidence, the applicable law, and the available insurance coverage.
South Carolina Filing Deadlines
South Carolina generally provides three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different deadlines or notice requirements may apply when a government vehicle, public agency, or unsafe public roadway is involved.
Waiting can also make a claim harder to prove. Video footage may be deleted, electronic data may be overwritten, vehicles may be repaired, and witnesses may become difficult to locate.
Contacting a truck crash attorney serving Valley Falls promptly allows us to assess the deadline and begin preserving evidence.
Contact a Valley Falls Truck Accident Lawyer
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC represents people injured in serious truck accidents in Valley Falls and throughout Upstate South Carolina.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Valley Falls truck accident lawyer. We will review what happened, explain your legal options, and discuss the next steps in your claim.
