If you suffered injuries from a collision with a semi or other large truck in Myrtle Beach, you may have the right to significant compensation. Let Jebaily Law Firm represent you in a truck accident claim to pursue maximum compensation for all your losses.
Our Myrtle Beach truck accident attorneys understand the rules that truck drivers and trucking companies frequently break, leading to crashes. We can identify who is responsible for the collision, document your injuries and other losses, deal with the insurance companies, and take your case to trial if necessary.
We do not charge any attorney fees unless you recover compensation. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review with an experienced Myrtle Beach truck accident attorney.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Once you have reported the crash and seen a doctor, follow these steps to protect your rights after a Myrtle Beach truck accident:
- Contact an attorney at Jebaily Law Firm with experience providing legal help after truck accidents.
- Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Save your medical records and any proof you have of your lost income.
- Start a journal noting your daily pain levels, medical treatments, and how your injuries affect your everyday life.
- Do not discuss your case publicly or online.
- Do not talk to any insurance adjusters without talking to a lawyer first.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case in Myrtle Beach?
In most cases, the party responsible for truck accident injuries in Myrtle Beach is the party that acted carelessly and caused the collision. Some examples of potentially liable parties in these cases include:
- Truck driver – A truck driver may be liable for an accident if they were speeding, distracted, fatigued, driving under the influence, or violating other traffic laws when the crash happened. Driving too many hours without rest can also indicate carelessness by the truck driver or their employer.
- Trucking company – The company that owns or operates the commercial truck can be responsible for a collision if it did not properly train the driver, pressured the driver to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, or allowed unsafe practices like distracted or impaired driving. If the trucker were the company’s employee, it would be vicariously liable for the truck driver’s negligence.
- Vehicle maintenance provider – If the company or mechanic responsible for maintaining the truck provided poor vehicle maintenance, for example, by skipping inspections or failing to repair critical parts, it could be liable for a crash resulting from catastrophic mechanical failure.
- Truck or parts manufacturer – A defective component (faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems, for example) could make the truck’s manufacturer or a parts company responsible if the defect contributed to the crash.
- Cargo loaders – A truck’s cargo can shift during transit and cause the driver to lose control if it is overloaded or improperly secured. The party responsible for loading the truck may be liable in these cases.
Evidence We Use to Build Strong Truck Accident Cases in Myrtle Beach
Robust evidence is the foundation of any successful truck accident claim. Some examples of the types of evidence our legal team often uses in truck crash cases include:
- Police accident report – Crash reports often include the responding officer’s observations, witness statements, insurance information, and more. The report provides an official account of the crash, and any citations the officer issued can help you prove who caused the accident.
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data – Federal law requires most trucks to have ELDs that track a driver’s hours. The data can show whether the driver violated federal hours-of-service rules or was fatigued at the time of the accident.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage – Videos from nearby cameras or the truck’s dashcam can show how the collision occurred, including the truck’s speed, lane position, and whether the driver tried to avoid the crash.
- Photos from the scene – Images of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries can help tell the story of how the crash happened.
- Witness statements – Accounts from people who saw the accident can confirm details that support your version of events, such as whether the driver was following too closely or weaving in their lane.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Myrtle Beach?
Under South Carolina law, the usual deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit is three years from the crash date. However, we strongly recommend that you talk to a lawyer right away. Some cases have much shorter deadlines. Critical evidence can disappear from the scene within days or weeks. You also want to give your attorney as much time as possible to build your case without deadline pressures.
How Different Kinds of Truck Crashes Occur in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach truck accidents come in many forms. Here is how some of the most common types happen:
- Rear-end collisions – These accidents often happen when a truck follows another vehicle too closely and cannot stop in time due to high speed or heavy cargo.
- Jackknife accidents – A jackknife occurs when the truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab. It often happens because of sudden braking, slippery roads, or improper cargo balance.
- Rollovers – Trucks can tip over when drivers take sharp turns too fast, overcorrect, or lose control on uneven roads. Unbalanced or top-heavy loads increase the risk of rollovers.
- Blind spot crashes – Trucks have large blind spots on all sides, especially on the driver’s right. If a truck driver changes lanes without checking carefully, they can strike a vehicle traveling nearby.
- Wide-turn accidents – These collisions frequently occur when a truck swings left to make a right turn and collides with vehicles in adjacent lanes or cuts off oncoming traffic.
Common Factors Involved in Myrtle Beach Truck Accidents
Common contributing factors in many Myrtle Beach truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Drivers not checking their blind spots
- Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
- Inexperienced or unqualified truck drivers
Why You Need Our Myrtle Beach Truck Wreck Lawyers
Truck accidents often involve catastrophic injuries and more extensive financial losses than typical car crashes. Those factors mean you can expect the insurance companies to fight more aggressively to reduce your compensation. Without legal help, you are far less likely to win your case and recover the compensation you need.
Jebaily Law Firm has nearly 60 years of experience fighting for injured people in South Carolina, and we have won millions for our clients. Let us handle all the legal work so you can focus on healing.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with our Myrtle Beach truck accident lawyers. We can meet with you wherever you are to discuss your case at no cost to you.
