Columbia Jackknife Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries and losses from a jackknife truck accident that a negligent driver caused, our team is here to help you seek compensation. We will take steps to hold the liable parties responsible and recover compensation on your behalf. We represent truck accident victims in Richland County, South Carolina, and other nearby areas.

A Columbia jackknife accident lawyer from Hammack Law Firm will review your case during a free initial consultation today. We provide these assessments so you can learn more about your legal options, rights, and the claims process.

Justice in a Truck Collision Claim Involves Recovering Compensation

Generally, we use two approaches to hold the liable parties accountable and seek justice for our clients in a truck accident case. This includes:

• Insurance claims based on the negligent parties’ liability policies
• Suing the liable parties and taking the case to trial where a jury could determine fault and award compensation

We prepare each case for a lawsuit so that we are prepared if we have to fight for your recovery at trial. We often settle these cases out of court by negotiating a settlement with the insurer that compensates our clients for their losses and expenses. We believe accident victims should not have to pay these costs when they did nothing to cause the collision.

The damages we pursue for our clients include:

• Economic expenses, such as medical bills and property damages
• Financial losses, including lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Non-economic damages, primarily pain and suffering losses

With the proper evidence to show their damages, we will recover our clients’ current and future expenses and losses. This could include monetary damages for all types of harm they suffered, such as financial, physical, and emotional harm.

A Jackknife Accident will Support a Wrongful Death Action

If your loved one suffered injuries in a jackknife truck crash and died from their injuries, you have a right to pursue damages through a wrongful death action under South Carolina law. The damages in these cases include:

• Financial expenses, including medical and funeral costs
• Economic losses, such as loss of income and services
• Intangible damages suffered by family members, including loss of companionship, loss of parental guidance, and more

Our Former Clients Rave About the Attention and Representation From Our Attorneys

At Hammack Law Firm, we are proud of the reviews our clients leave. They frequently talk about our attentiveness, the time and work we put into every case, and how they feel like family.

Truck accidents are a primary focus, and we believe every accident victim deserves justice. We help our clients fight the big insurance companies and seek financial compensation in every case. This is the best way to hold the negligent parties accountable for their careless or reckless behavior.

We do this through actions including:

• Investing time and resources into an investigation
• Gathering evidence that shows negligence
• Identifying the liable parties in the accident
• Putting a value on the claim
• Demanding a fair settlement from the insurance company or companies
• Negotiating for a just agreement
• Suing the liable parties if needed to force the insurance company to do more
• Taking the case to trial as necessary
• Representing our client’s best interests financially and emotionally throughout this process

We handle truck collision claims on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge any retainers or upfront fees. Instead, we get paid only from the settlement or other compensation we recover. If we do not recover monetary damages for our clients, we do not charge them with attorney’s fees.

What Causes a Jackknife Collision, and who is Liable?

A jackknife accident is unique to tractor-trailers and similar vehicles. They occur when an 18-wheeler essentially folds at a 90-degree angle, with the tractor going one way and the trailer going the other. This usually happens when the tractor skids and the trailer swings around across neighboring lanes.

As you can imagine, this type of accident often involves other vehicles in neighboring lanes. Jackknife accidents can also block traffic and cause lost loads, leading to additional safety concerns.

With careful driving, these accidents are almost always preventable. The truck driver is often at fault when they do occur. However, they are unlikely to be the only liable party. Other responsible parties could include:

• A trucking company
• A large corporation
• Another owner of the cargo being hauled

This is because of a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior. This element of common law states that a worker’s employer is vicariously liable for their actions when:

• They are on the clock
• They are working within the course and scope of their job

Respondeat superior allows us to build a case against the driver’s employer, holding them liable for our client’s injuries, as well. This doctrine was affirmed in Sams v. Arthur (1926), and numerous other cases before the South Carolina Supreme Court have accepted this doctrine as law, as well.

At Hammack Law Firm, we know how to navigate the claims and lawsuit process and hold the liable parties responsible. This includes the trucking company or other vicariously liable parties.

We Like to go to Work Investigating Truck Accident Cases as Soon as Possible

The Hammack Law Firm truck accident team prefers to know about your truck accident as quickly as possible. We need to act quickly to obtain and preserve important evidence, including issuing a spoliation letter to protect evidence that the trucking company has in its possession.

Under the South Carolina statute of limitations, S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530, we generally have up to three years to decide if we need to sue the liable parties. We often negotiate a fair settlement well in advance of this deadline. However, there are exceptions, and we may need to file a lawsuit, or the deadline may come sooner than expected.

Talk to an Attorney From Hammack Law Firm About Your Case for Free

The truck accident team from Hammack Law Firm serving Columbia, South Carolina, is offering complimentary case reviews and initial consultations today. We want to learn more about your jackknife accident crash and answer your questions.

Call (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 now to speak to our team about your legal options.