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    Due to its proximity to I-85 and South Carolina’s Inland Port, Greenville sees a lot of heavy truck traffic. These large commercial vehicles pose significant risks to motorists due to their immense size and weight. If you’ve suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a truck accident, you’ve come to the right place. An experienced Greenville truck accident lawyer from Joye Law Firm can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

    At Joye Law Firm, we have a history of successfully handling South Carolina trucking cases. With an office right in  Greenville, we’re close by and ready to assist you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

    Why Truck Accidents Are Complex

    Truck wrecks involve numerous factors that distinguish them from typical car accidents:

    • Federal and State Regulations: Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to state and federal regulations. These rules govern aspects like hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. Your attorney needs a complete understanding of these rules to determine compliance and liability.
    • Multiple Potentially Liable Parties: Liability in truck accidents can extend beyond the driver. The trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers could be held liable if they contributed to the circumstances surrounding the crash. A lawyer must identify all responsible parties to build a comprehensive claim.
    • Severe Injuries and Catastrophic Damages: The massive size of trucks often leads to severe injuries and extensive property damage in collisions. Victims may face long-term medical treatment and significant financial burdens.
    • Commercial Insurance Policy Complications: Trucking companies typically carry substantial insurance policies. Navigating these policies requires a thorough understanding of commercial insurance practices to ensure fair compensation.
    • Time-Sensitive Evidence Preservation Requirements: Critical evidence, such as driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records, can be lost or destroyed over time. Your attorney must take prompt action to preserve this information for your case.

    What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Greenville

    Several factors contribute to truck accidents in Greenville:

    • Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations: Truck drivers often work long hours, which can lead to fatigue. Violations of hours-of-service regulations may result in impaired driving abilities.
    • Improper Vehicle Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can cause mechanical failures, such as brake or tire malfunctions, leading to accidents.
    • Distracted Driving: Activities like using a phone or eating while driving divert attention from the road, increasing the risk of collisions.
    • Drunk Driving: Consuming drugs or alcohol significantly inhibit one’s ability to drive safely and increases the chances of a wreck.
    • Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Exceeding speed limits or engaging in aggressive maneuvers reduces a driver’s ability to react to road conditions and other vehicles.
    • Poor Weather Conditions on I-85 and Other Major Highways: Greenville’s weather can change rapidly. Roads and highways can become hazardous during rain or fog, affecting truck handling and stopping distances.
    • Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Incorrectly loaded cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable and leading to rollovers or jackknife accidents.

    Potential Liable Parties

    Determining liability in a truck accident involves examining various parties:

    • Truck Driver: The driver’s actions, such as fatigue, distraction, or impairment, can directly lead to accidents.
    • Trucking Company: Companies may be liable for hiring unqualified drivers, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
    • Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer: Defective components can cause mechanical failures, making manufacturers responsible for resulting accidents.
    • Cargo Loading Company: Improper loading practices can lead to cargo shifts and truck instability, causing accidents.
    • Maintenance Provider: Negligent maintenance work can result in vehicle malfunctions, contributing to collisions.
    • Government Entities Responsible for Road Maintenance: Poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage can create hazardous conditions that cause accidents.

    Types of Compensation Available

    Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation:

    • Medical Expenses (Current and Future): Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing medical care.
    • Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work and diminished future earning potential.
    • Pain and Suffering: Monetary relief for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
    • Property Damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of damaged vehicles and personal property.
    • Rehabilitation Costs: Expenses related to physical therapy and other rehabilitative services necessary for recovery.
    • Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for the diminished ability to enjoy daily activities and life pursuits.
    • Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable): In cases of fatal accidents, families may receive compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support.
    • Punitive Damages (if Applicable): If the at-fault party’s behavior was especially outrageous (example: drunk driver) these financial penalties may be applied to punish the behavior and discourage similar actions in the future.

    Our Approach to Truck Accident Cases

    At Joye Law Firm, we employ a comprehensive strategy to handle truck accident cases:big truck

    • Promptly Gather and Secure Evidence: This includes accident scene photos, witness statements, and surveillance/dashcam footage.
    • Collaborate with Specialists to Recreate the Accident: This helps establish how it occurred and who is responsible.
    • Analyze “Black Box” Data: Extracting and analyzing data from the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) provides insights into the vehicle’s operation before the crash.
    • Review Driver Logs and Company Records: Examining logs and records can reveal violations of safety regulations and company policies.
    • Consult with Medical Experts: We work with healthcare professionals to assess injuries and determine the necessary medical care and associated costs.
    • Aggressively Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Our team negotiates firmly with insurers to seek fair settlements that reflect the true extent of your losses.

    We meticulously prepare your case for trial from the start. Although most cases settle out of, we’re ready when and if the time comes. Should the need arise, we are also equipped to handle appeals to seek a favorable outcome.

    Why Choose Our Firm to Handle Your Claim

    Selecting the right legal representation can make a significant difference in your claim. Here’s why Joye Law Firm stands out:

    • Nearly 300 years of combined experience: we’ve served injured South Carolinians since 1968 and are a well-established personal injury law firm in the state.
    • Proven history of securing substantial compensation for our clients: we’ve secured over a half a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including some of the largest verdicts ever awarded in South Carolina:
      • $17 million for a family of three who lost their lives in a tractor trailer collision.
      • $6.25 million for a man who suffered a devastating traumatic brain injury after being rear-ended by a semi-truck.
      • $4.375 million settlement for a man who received facial and head injuries in a tractor-trailer wreck.
      • Two separate $3.86 million settlements for the families of two men killed in a truck accident.
      • $1.025 million settlement for a man severely injured in a collision with a truck.
      • $975,000 settlement for a man who injured his back in a truck crash.
      • Confidential settlement and policy change after a truck driver without a valid license ran a stop sign, killing a high school student and her cousin.
    • Deep understanding of trucking laws and regulations: our attorneys hold memberships in the country’s top national truck litigation groups, where they’re respected as leaders and known to be well-versed in industry regulations.
    • Strong relationships with expert witnesses: our network of professionals includes accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and financial analysts to maximize the value of your case.
    • Local knowledge of Greenville courts and judges: experience with the local legal system allows us to anticipate challenges to build strong cases.

    Joye Law Firm has the resources and experience to handle your claim effectively and increase your chances of securing the best results possible.

    How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in SC?

    In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim depends on the type of defendant involved in the case.

    • For most truck accident claims, the state allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies when the claim is against a private trucking company, truck driver, or other non-governmental entity. If you don’t have an attorney file suit for you within this time, you’ll likely lose your right to pursue compensation.
    • For truck accident claims involving government-owned vehicles, such as those operated by municipal, county, or state agencies, the time limit is much shorter. Under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act (SCTCA), a claim against a government entity must generally be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Additionally, certain procedural requirements, such as providing formal notice to the appropriate government agency, may apply.

    Because time limits vary based on the details of the case, it’s important you speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and ensure you meet all deadlines.

    Types of Compensation Available

    Our lawyers can help you obtain compensation for a variety of damages, including:

    • Medical Expenses (Current and Future): The cost of emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care can be included in a claim.
    • Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, compensation can cover lost income and diminished earning potential.
    • Pain and Suffering: Truck accident victims often endure significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation can account for these hardships.
    • Property Damage: The cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle and other personal property can be included in a claim.
    • Rehabilitation Costs: Ongoing therapy, medical devices, and home modifications may be necessary for recovery.
    • Loss of Quality of Life: Serious injuries can prevent victims from enjoying activities they once loved or from performing daily tasks independently.
    • Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable): Families who have lost a loved one in a truck accident may seek damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering.
    • Punitive Damages (if Applicable): Under South Carolina law, these are financial penalties that can be used to punish the at-fault party’s reckless, malicious, or intentional actions.

    What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?

    After a truck accident, you need to take the right steps to protect your health and strengthen your claim for compensation. Here’s what you should do immediately:

    1. Call 911: Report the accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance for any injuries. A police report will document the crash, which can provide valuable information.
    2. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries don’t seem severe, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like internal trauma or concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
    3. Document the Scene: If it’s safe to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
    4. Collect Contact Information: Get the names, phone numbers, and insurance details of all involved parties, including the truck driver and any witnesses.
    5. Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or make statements that could be used against you later. Stick to the facts when speaking with police. Don’t talk to insurance adjusters without the advice of a lawyer.
    6. Request a Copy of the Police Report: This report contains key details about the crash and may indicate who was at fault.
    7. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer: Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to limit liability. A lawyer can begin investigating your case, preserving evidence, and protecting your rights.

    Acting quickly after a truck accident ensures that your attorney can collect and preserve crucial evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

    FAQs About Greenville Truck Accident Claims

    Greenville Truck Accident

    What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?

    If the truck driver blames you for the accident, don’t admit fault or argue. An attorney can help you establish liability after reviewing police reports, black box data, dashcam footage, witness statements, and other evidence.

    South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault. Our truck accident lawyers can help gather evidence to challenge false claims and protect your right to compensation.

    What if the truck is from another state?

    If the truck is from another state, you can still file a claim in South Carolina if the accident happened here. Interstate trucking companies must follow federal regulations, and jurisdiction typically depends on where the crash occurred. Our attorneys can determine the best legal strategy, including whether to file in state or federal court.

    How long does a truck accident case typically take?

    Every case is different. Some claims settle within a few months, while others take longer, especially if they go to trial. The complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate all affect the timeline.

    How does your contingency fee work?

    We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay upfront legal fees. Our payment comes from the compensation recovered on your behalf. If no compensation is secured, you owe nothing in legal fees. We call it our No Fee Guarantee.

    How do commercial truck insurance policies affect my claim?

    Commercial truck insurance policies typically have much higher coverage limits than standard car insurance policies, which means more compensation may be available for your injuries and losses. However, trucking insurers aggressively defend claims to minimize payouts. They may dispute liability, downplay injuries, or delay settlements. A truck accident lawyer can handle negotiations, gather evidence, and push back against unfair tactics to help you seek full compensation.

    Contact Our Greenville Truck Accident Attorneys Now

    If a truck accident in Greenville has left you injured or grieving the loss of a loved one, Joye Law Firm is ready to help. Our legal team fights for the compensation our clients deserve, holding negligent truck drivers and companies accountable. Call us today at (888) 324-3100 for a free consultation, and let us discuss your legal options.

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    Ken Harrel standing in front of an 18-wheeler