Mount Pleasant Jackknife Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident in Charleston County, our team will discuss your legal options with you and help you determine what to do next. A Mount Pleasant jackknife accident lawyer from Hammack Law Firm represents commercial vehicle accident victims and pursues justice on their behalf.

Our team holds negligent drivers and their employers responsible for their carelessness to recover compensation for our clients injured in the Low Country. We seek damages that include medical bill costs, car repairs, lost wages, and more.

Recovering Damages in a Charleston County Truck Accident Claim

We usually negotiate a settlement agreement with the liable party’s insurance carrier to recover compensation for truck accident clients. This is the most common way to hold the at-fault parties responsible. However, we also sue them in civil court when necessary.

Our attorneys pursue damages for clients based on the harm they suffered. This includes any physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses resulting from the collision. Examples of common costs and losses we recover for our clients include:

• Ambulance transportation costs
• Medical evaluation and treatment
• Follow-up, therapy, and rehabilitation
• Future related medical needs
• Missed income and benefits
• Diminished earning ability for lasting disabilities
• Damages to their vehicle
• Rental car costs
• Other expenses due because of the crash
• Pain and suffering damages
• Other intangible losses

Wrongful Death Actions in Mount Pleasant

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), commercial trucks were involved in more than 11 percent of fatal traffic crashes in the state in 2019. When this occurs, we can often recover compensation for the surviving family members of the deceased under the state’s wrongful death law, S.C. Ann. § 15-51-10.

Only the executor of the will, the administrator of the estate, or the victim’s personal representative can file this action in South Carolina. We will help you identify who this is and what happens next.

Hammack Law Firm Fights for Justice for Truck Accident Victims

At Hammack Law Firm, we believe our case results and customer testimonials speak for themselves. Our clients recognize and appreciate that we strive to build personal relationships and treat them like family. Our warm, supportive, and compassionate legal team ensure we offer a small firm feel while having the benefits clients expect from a big firm:

• Time to focus on each case
• One-on-one attention to the client and their needs
• Financial resources to support developing a strong case
• Knowledge of the applicable laws, similar cases, and the legal process
• A network of experts we use to support our clients’ claims

Our goals include:

• Holding negligent parties accountable for their behavior and the injuries they caused
• Seeking and securing compensation for every client we represent
• Fighting for additional safety measures for commercial vehicles and drivers
• Taking a stance for change in the trucking and insurance industries

Not only does our team provide free consultations for victims of jackknife crashes, but we also represent them with no upfront fees. We do not charge hourly or bill for anything before the conclusion of a case. Instead, we get our attorney’s fees from the compensation we recover for the client. If they do not get paid, we will not get paid.

What Causes Jackknife Truck Crashes in Mount Pleasant

Jackknife truck accidents often occur due to bad weather or poor road conditions, but that does not mean they are not preventable. They are usually caused by driver error, when the driver skids on slick or wet roads and does not take the correct actions to maintain control of their rig.

A jackknife crash often involves many other vehicles because of the way the trailer swings out and around to create a “V,” like a folding pocket knife. These crashes sometimes lead to rollovers of the truck, trailer, or both.

Determining the Cause in Your Jackknife Accident Case

When we handle a jackknife collision, our team investigates what happened to prove the truck driver’s role. Potential causes include:

• Speeding despite wet weather or road conditions
• Poor braking habits
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving or drugged driving
• Distracted driving
• Inadequate training
• Inexperience

Other causes of these crashes that could be the fault of the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, owner of the cargo, or another party include:

• Equipment or part failure
• Defective part or assembly
• Improperly loaded cargo

Thanks to the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, Hammack Law Firm attorneys generally build a case to hold the trucking company liable even when the accident occurs because of driver error. Under Sams v. Arthur (1926), this applies when the driver is working within the scope of their job, and a crash occurs. This makes the driver’s employer vicariously liable in most collision claims.

Suing the Driver and Trucking Company After a Mount Pleasant Jackknife Crash

Most cases do settle, but our lawyers always prepare to take every case to trial. Doing so allows us to develop stronger support for the claim and be ready if we need to sue.

Occasionally, the insurer will not agree to a fair settlement, and we file suit to keep your case moving. This often leads to a better offer. Rarely, we have to take a case all the way to trial.

If we need to sue in a jackknife accident case, we have up to three years to do so under S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530. This deadline applies to most Charleston County civil suits, though some circumstances can alter it.

Hammack Law Firm Provides Free Consultations and Case Assessments

You can speak with a team member from Hammack Law Firm about your Mount Pleasant truck collision today at no cost. We want to ensure you understand your rights and how we will help you get justice based on the facts of your crash.

Call (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 to get started with your free case review today.