The South Carolina trucking accident lawyers at Seaton & Duncan have seen the devastation that can be caused by negligent tractor-trailer truck drivers and trucking companies who do not follow the rules, ensure their vehicles are safe, or properly train their commercial truck drivers.
We know South Carolina auto accident law, the laws and regulations that govern commercial trucking vehicles, court procedures, and how to get the maximum compensation that you are entitled to under the facts of your case and South Carolina law, whether that is through a quick settlement for policy limits or litigation with the insurance companies.
We will do everything that is legally, and ethically, within our power to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation from all responsible parties and that the at-fault driver and trucking company are held accountable for the damage they have caused.
The insurance companies are already investigating the crash and preparing their defense, and they will do everything they can to avoid paying your claim or to limit the amount that they pay.
Don’t wait to call your trucking accident lawyer in Moncks Corner!
The trucking accident lawyers at Seaton & Duncan care about their clients and take your case seriously.
The Moncks Corner car accident lawyers at Seaton & Duncan care about their clients and take your case seriously.
When you call our office, we will:
- Meet with you to answer your questions, learn about your case, and help you to determine whether our law firm is the right fit for you,
- Investigate the accident and the parties involved,
- Gather the evidence you will need to prove liability and damages, retaining experts as needed,
- Locate and interview any witnesses who may help your case,
- Identify and gather any evidence that may help your case using subpoenas, FOIA requests, discovery motions, motions to compel discovery, and experts as needed,
- Research all potential legal issues that may arise in your case or trial,
- Advise you as to any expert witnesses you may need for consultation or testimony at trial to prove liability or damages,
- Negotiate with the insurance company to get a full and fair settlement as quickly as possible, and
- Try your case to a jury if the insurance company does not agree to pay the fair value of your case.
The Berkeley County trucking accident attorneys at Seaton & Duncan have years of experience collecting damages from insurance companies in all types of personal injury cases including big truck crashes, eighteen-wheeler collisions, and other commercial vehicle accidents.
When you choose our Moncks Corner, South Carolina, trucking accident law firm to handle your case, you will receive personal attention directly from your attorney.
We make communication with our clients a priority, answer your questions, and keep you up to date on what is happening in your case throughout the process.
Your trucking accident lawyer knows the insurance company’s tricks, how to get a quick settlement whenever possible, and how to litigate your case when the insurance company refuses to pay.
Worry Free
They are very good at what they do! Go see them today and be worry free!
– Kipp Cavadias
Great Lawyer
Great Lawyer, will definitely use again when needed. Thank You Beau!
– Charles McGee
Wonderful Lawyer
He truly cares about his clients!! A wonderful lawyer!!
– Lamarr Richardson
Learn more about
truck accident law in South Carolina
Do I Need a Lawyer After an truck Accident?
You are not legally required to have an attorney for your trucking accident case. But do you want to get paid? Do you want to get paid the full amount that you are owed by the insurance company?
Insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying or to limit your claim – especially when there is substantial damage after an eighteen-wheeler crash.
They will claim the accident was your fault, that there is no liability, that you were “comparatively negligent,” or that you are exaggerating your injuries.
Even when liability is clear, they will attempt to drag out your case for as long as possible, taking depositions, filing motions for summary judgment, and forcing you to participate in mediation before they agree to pay the full amount of your damages or the policy limits.
What is Considered a “Commercial Vehicle?
Commercial trucking accidents often are the most serious crashes on SC’s highways, resulting in needless serious injuries or death.
Commercial trucks could include:
- Eighteen-wheelers,
- Tractor-trailers,
- Semi-trucks,
- Delivery trucks,
- Mail trucks,
- Garbage trucks, or
Any heavy truck or trailer that has the potential for catastrophic damage when operated negligently.
Sources of Recovery
To recover full and fair compensation after a crash with an eighteen-wheeler or other commercial truck, we must identify all potential sources of recovery.
Depending on the facts of your case, we may identify multiple defendants/ sources of recovery including:
- The truck driver;
- The truck driver’s employer;
- The owner of the truck;
- The company that leases the truck,
- The manufacturer, seller, or distributor of faulty equipment that contributed to the crash;
- The person or company who loaded and secured the cargo;
- Municipalities, businesses, or individuals who caused dangerous road conditions that contributed to the crash; and
- Any other individuals or businesses whose negligence contributed to the crash.
How Do You Prove Liability After a Trucking Accident?
We will need to gather evidence that we can present to the insurance company or a jury to prove 1) the defendants owed a duty of care to you, 2) they breached that duty of care through their negligence, and 3) you suffered damages that were proximately caused by the defendants’ negligence.
This could include:
- Photos or video of the damaged vehicles,
- Photos or video of the roadway or surrounding area,
- Eyewitness accounts (including your testimony),
- Medical records and photos or video of your injuries,
- Expert testimony and accident reconstruction,
- Police reports or the at-fault driver’s conviction for a traffic violation related to your crash, and
- Evidence of the driver or trucking company’s negligent practices that led to the crash like maintenance logs, inspection reports, cargo logs, weigh station receipts, hours of service logbooks, or event data recorders (the “black box.”)
Ready To Speak With An Attorney?
Let’s discuss the details of your case and see if we can help.
Common Questions for
trucking Accident Lawyers in South Carolina
HOW MUCH DOES A TRUCKING ACCIDENT LAWYER COST?
In most cases, you do not need to pay anything upfront for your legal fees.
As with car accidents and most other personal injury cases, we will charge a contingency fee that may be one-third of your total recovery (although this can vary depending on the circumstances of your case) that does not need to be paid until the end of your case when you get paid.
We don’t get paid unless you get paid, and how much we get paid is determined by how much you get paid.
You may also be responsible for the costs of your expenses which could include court costs, deposition costs, expert witness fees, or other litigation expenses.
HOW ARE TRUCKING ACCIDENTS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CAR CRASHES?
Crashes that involve large trucks are usually more complex than other car crashes, involve greater damage amounts, may involve multiple defendants and insurance companies, and are often defended vigorously by insurance companies who do not want to pay full and fair compensation after a catastrophic crash.
Your trucking accident attorney needs to have experience with litigating and settling trucking accident cases, trucking laws and regulations, and the types of evidence that must be presented to prove liability and damages in these cases.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON CAUSES OF EIGHTEEN-WHEELER CRASHES?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, some of the leading causes of large truck accidents include:
- Inadequate driver training,
- Fatigued drivers,
- Failure to properly secure cargo,
- Failure to inspect or maintain the truck’s equipment,
- Failure to use turn signals,
- Tire blowouts,
- Poor road conditions,
- Failure to maintain lane,
- Design and manufacturing flaws,
- Alcohol and drug use,
- Speeding, and
- Other violations of federal or local trucking laws and regulations.
WHY WON’T THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAY MY CLAIM?
Insurance companies are not there to help. You are not in good hands with Allstate, and, unlike a good neighbor, State Farm is not always there.Especially when their insured is a truck driver or trucking company who causes massive injuries or death through their negligence
Insurance companies are in business to make profits, and they do that by 1) taking premiums from customers and 2) denying or limiting claims in every way they can. In many cases, an insurance company will not offer the full value of a case unless they know that the plaintiff has an experienced trucking accident lawyer who will litigate the case and take them to trial.