Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer

Nearly 4,000 collisions on South Carolina’s roads in 2019 involved commercial motor vehicles, and 104 of those were fatal. This data, reported in the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book, shows how dangerous it is to share the roads with larger vehicles. Most of these accidents occurred on interstate routes, including in Columbia, where truck traffic is heavy on 1-20 and other highways.

If you were in an accident with a truck in Columbia, you likely have suffered serious injuries and vehicle damage, among other losses. You may be unable to work and facing expenses, from medical care costs to home-care services. A Columbia truck accident lawyer with Hammack Law Firm will review your accident to see if you could recover damages from the party who caused your accident. We can review your legal options with you during a free consultation today.

Identifying Liable Parties Who Could Have Caused Your Collision

Truck accident cases are often more complicated than passenger vehicle accidents. One reason is multiple parties can be at fault. Our lawyer handling these cases in Columbia will investigate your accident to determine who you can sue for damages. Liable parties could include:

• The truck’s owner
• The truck driver’s employer
• The company hired to load the truck
• The repair shop or company responsible for the truck’s upkeep
• The company that made any failed parts (e.g., brakes)
• The truck’s manufacturer
• The municipality responsible for road maintenance
• Other vehicles involved in the accident

Determining who is at fault in your accident is an important part of any truck accident insurance case. After identifying the liable parties in your accident, we file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.

We Can Obtain Evidence That You May Not Be Able to Get on Your Own

Truck collisions also differ from other vehicle accidents where it concerns evidence. The opposed party can hold evidence that could help us prove your case. It is important to move quickly to preserve that evidence. Our firm will send the truck company a spoliation letter to keep it intact. This could include:

• The truck’s maintenance records
• The driver’s logbooks
• Records of company violations
• Information from an event data recorder (EDR)
• Dashcam video footage
• The truck driver’s employment and training history

Compensable Damages in Your Columbia, S.C., Truck Accident

As we determine who is responsible for hitting your vehicle, our lawyer will also assess your damages and losses. We will look at your economic and non-economic damages and then determine what your case is worth. Common economic damages in truck accident cases are:

• Medical treatment expenses
• Loss of future income
• Reduced earning potential
• Vehicle damage
• Property damage
• Other accident-related expenses

The dollar amount of all these can be proven with receipts, invoices, and other records. However, your Columbia accident can include intangible damages that do not have a fixed dollar amount. Still, they should be assessed because of how the accident has affected your daily life. These include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life

We will calculate both types of losses and assign a value to your case. The value of your claim is the sum of all your damages. You can include these damages in the insurance claim you file with the at-fault party’s insurer.

You do not have to handle this task by yourself. It is already overwhelming to pursue a claim or lawsuit while recovering from a truck accident. We will help you with your case.

Filing a Wrongful Death Action in South Carolina

If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a truck accident in Columbia, please accept our condolences. We are truly sorry for your loss. Our lawyer will file a wrongful death action that could help you recover funeral and burial expenses, unpaid bills for your loved one’s final medical care, and other losses. We are here for you when you are ready to pursue a wrongful death case. We will explain state laws that pertain to your situation and help you figure out your next steps.

An Insurer May Try to Pay You Less Money Than You Are Due

We will fight for the maximum compensation in your truck accident. However, while we assess your case, you could hear from the liable party’s insurance company soon after the accident. It could offer you a settlement to make your case go away so that it can save money. Usually, these settlement offers are less than what you are entitled to receive.

Accepting such an offer before you’ve had time to receive or finish your medical treatment and assess the value of your case could mean settling for a check that falls short of your needs. Our job is to protect your rights and interests.

We are prepared to fight for every dollar that is yours and take the insurance company to trial, no matter how big or small. We will negotiate with other parties in your case, but we treat each case as if we’re going to trial. We are ready to meet the challenge of getting compensation for you and your family.

We’ve Won Thousands of Dollars for Our Clients

Some of our recent truck accident case results include:

• $900,000 for a client who required a total hip replacement after being hit by a truck driver who lost control of his tractor-trailer
• $700,000 for a passenger in a jack-knife truck accident who suffered leg injuries
• $135,000 for a client who suffered injuries to her neck and shoulder after a truck hit the rear of her car

If you are interested in learning more about how our firm could seek damages in your accident, we will share more information with you during a free consultation.

How Our Lawyer Serving Columbia, SC, Will Help You

When you become our client, we will manage your entire case. We will:

• Investigate the accident, reviewing photos of the accident scene and your injuries
• Identify the at-fault party responsible for the accident
• Interview witnesses, obtain dashcam/security cam footage and the official police report to back your claims
• Determine which insurance policies apply to your case
• Quantify your damages and identify ones you may not know you have
• Gather evidence of losses in the form of medical treatment bills, vehicle repair invoices, and income slips to show lost earnings
• Submit a demand letter to the insurer, along with copies of your evidence
• Negotiate with the insurer for an appropriate settlement
• Prepare and file your lawsuit and file it on time if a settlement does not happen
• Take your case to court if your claim is denied

You will always know what is going on with your case as we provide regular updates. We also explain all state and federal laws that apply to your accident and will answer any question or concern you have.

We Will Make Sure Your Truck Lawsuit Meets the Filing Deadline

South Carolina law limits the time you have to file a personal injury and wrongful death action against the liable parties in a truck accident. Under S.C. Ann § 15-3-530, you generally have three years to take legal action starting from the day of the accident or the day of the decedent’s death.

Because it takes time to gather evidence and build a strong case for trial, the sooner you reach out to us the sooner we can begin. Our lawyer serving Columbia can help you determine your next steps.

Clients Come First at Hammack Law Firm

Our clients are family, and we give them the legal care we would want for our own families. Our team of compassionate and understanding attorneys understands the difficulty and frustration of dealing with insurance adjusters, police, and the attorneys of the at-fault party – especially when you are injured.

Our Reviews and Accolades Speak for Us

We have represented many clients in truck accidents, so we know how they can bring your life to a standstill. The real-life reviews below and at Google reviews demonstrate our commitment to our clients and our diligent perseverance in securing your compensation.

“[Hammack attorneys] brought their ‘A Game’ in representing me with an accident I had at no fault of my own. They patiently worked on my case for several years until I was recovered and always kept me up to date on its status.” Jerry Oates

“I want to thank [Hammack] and his staff for allowing me to become a part of their family when Paul agreed to take on my case. I will recommend Hammack Law Firm to family and friends when they need a real lawyer to handle a case for them.” Cynthia McGill

“I highly recommend Hammack Law Firm. Paul has a unique background working for insurance companies, so he knows their playbook. I am confident he will get you the best results if you are having to fight for payment against an insurance company in a personal Injury case.” Joanna Reese

We Represent South Carolina Clients on Contingency

We will represent you at no cost and take on your case on a contingency fee basis. We collect payment only if you win the case; if you do not win, you pay us nothing. We will patiently and proactively pursue your case until we reach a recovery for you and will keep you up to date regarding progress and what to expect every step of the way.

Contact Our Team Today

Hammack Law Firm’s lawyer serving Columbia, S.C., can help you put together a lawsuit in your truck accident. We will gather evidence, file your claim, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If we do not reach a settlement, we will take your case for the court to review. Do not hesitate to reach out to our caring team.

Call us today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a free consultation. We are ready to start working for you.