Myrtle Beach Truck Accident Lawyer

Our Clients Deserve Financial Compensation for Their Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Every year, Myrtle Beach draws thousands of people who want to relax on its sunny beaches, play on its golf courses, and enjoy its beachfront attractions. Unfortunately, the busy tourist destination also has its share of traffic accidents, some of them involving commercial trucks. In 2019, Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located, tied with Charleston County as having the highest number of fatal traffic collisions in the state, according to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book.

When a relaxing trip or a regular day in Myrtle Beach takes a devastating turn because of a truck accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Between managing injuries, dealing with insurance companies, and worrying about how to make ends meet, it’s hard to know where to turn.

The legal team at Hammack Law Firm understands how disruptive and stressful this experience can be for you and your family. That’s why we’re here—to offer not just legal guidance, but compassionate support as you begin to rebuild and recover. You focus on healing; we’ll focus on holding the right parties accountable.

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Myrtle Beach, you could hold the liable party responsible for your losses. Our Myrtle Beach truck accident lawyer with Hammack Law Firm will determine who caused the accident and take your case to trial to get you the recovery you need. We are ready to fight for you and your family. We offer a review of your legal options during a free consultation.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Accidents involving commercial vehicles are often violent and destructive, but if you remain calm and follow these steps, you can increase your odds of safety and a strong truck accident case.

Identify Injuries

Before doing anything or moving too much, assess your injuries and your passenger’s injuries. If you are injured, call 911 and request a police officer be sent to your location. In South Carolina, you are required to report any vehicle accident that results in injuries or death.

If you are uninjured, call 911 to report your accident and ask for a police officer.

Stay Calm and Find Safety

Any car accident usually ends up with one or more cars in the path of traffic. If you can safely exit your vehicle, you should do so and get out of the line of traffic.

Exchange Information

Identify the other drivers involved in the accident and attempt to get their information. You should write down or take a picture of the following:

• The first and last names of the other drivers
• A photo of the other driver’s licenses
• A photo of their insurance card
• The company the commercial driver works for

Never Admit Liability

At no time should you admit to partial or complete responsibility for the accident. You may not know all of the circumstances surrounding your wreck, and admitting fault can severely damage your injury claim.

Speak With the Police

When the officer arrives, answer their questions and give them the information they ask for. Be honest, but do not offer more information than they ask for. Ask them how you can get a police report for the accident.

Gather Evidence

If you are able to use your phone’s camera, you should take photos or videos of the following:

• Your injuries and the injuries of your passengers
• The damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved
• The accident scene, including skid marks, traffic lights, and traffic signs
• The businesses surrounding the accident scene, their security cameras may have caught the accident on video

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

No matter how you feel, you should seek medical attention, either in the emergency room or with your personal doctor. Skipping this step can result in a weaker personal injury claim.

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Speaking with an experienced attorney is your best bet for recovering compensation. Your attorney will be able to deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and start investigating your case using the evidence you supply, as well as witness and expert testimony. Call 864-766-7108 to schedule a free consultation with Hammack Law Firm.

What Is Your Truck Accident Claim Really Worth?

The aftermath of a truck accident can leave you in serious pain, dealing with a mountain of bills and extensive recovery time that takes you away from your job and other responsibilities. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, our evidence-collection team will help you compile your receipts, bills, invoices, and other documentation that proves the cost of your injuries.

Damages are considered to be one of two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are easily verifiable using the facts from your case. Non-economic damages are a bit harder to prove, but an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer will have the tools necessary to help you prove your losses.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses- This includes all of your medical bills for treatments of injuries sustained in your truck accident, from the initial ER visit to the following physical therapy.
• Lost wages- The income you lost while recovering from your injuries. Easily proven with your paystubs.
• Loss of future earning capacity- Severe truck accident injuries can cause lifelong disabilities that prevent you from returning to your previous job.
• Property damage- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and the damaged or destroyed personal property within it.
• Out-of-pocket expenses- Save the receipts for anything you spend money on out-of-pocket as a result of your accident. Things like Uber rides, car rentals, or medical equipment to assist you during recovery.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering- Your physical and mental pain will likely be ongoing.
• Emotional distress- Many truck accident victims suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological traumas.
• Loss of enjoyment of life- Your injuries may prevent you from enjoying the sports, hobbies, or other activities you once enjoyed.
• Loss of companionship- Injuries can put a strain on the spouses and loved ones who usually help with recovery.
• Scarring and disfigurement- These permanent physical changes to appearance can result in emotional turmoil.

Insurance companies are known for trying to bully accident victims into an unfair settlement offer. These offers rarely take your future into consideration. Truck accidents can lead to severe, life-long injuries that make working your job impossible and your life less enjoyable.

We will look at your damages, calculate each loss, and assign a value to your case. This will be what we pursue for your compensation. This figure will be a point of reference that can let you know if any offers you get from insurers are too low.

Modified Comparative Negligence

If you are partially liable for the accident, perhaps because you were speeding, your settlement will likely be less. South Carolina law follows something called “modified comparable negligence,” which determines how claims where both parties are partially responsible are settled.

As long as you are less than 51% liable for your accident, you can seek compensation. If you think you are partially responsible for your accident, speak with a commercial accident lawyer, where your case will be evaluated, and we will determine a fair settlement amount.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

If your loved one was fatally injured in a truck accident that occurred in Myrtle Beach, our thoughts are with you and your family. Please accept our condolences. We will be there to serve you in any way we can during this difficult time.

Our team will also help you file a wrongful death action to recoup the costs your family incurred for your loved one’s final arrangements, medical bills, and more. Before you accept a speedy settlement or inadvertently agree to one that is not sufficient to cover your costs, a truck accident lawyer serving Myrtle Beach with Hammack Law Firm can accurately evaluate your case.

How Do Lawyers Determine Liability in Truck Accident Cases?

It can be easy to determine fault and assign liability in a car accident. Proving liability in a truck accident, however, is not the same as a car accident for several reasons. The same things can be much more difficult after a truck accident because fault and liability can go in various directions. Your injury case might be filed against:

• The truck driver if their actions or behavior caused the accident (e.g., speeding, driving while impaired or tired)
• The driver’s employer if faulty or improperly loaded cargo caused the accident
• The owner of the truck if the driver is not an owner-operator
• The truck’s manufacturer if a vehicle flaw or design caused the accident
• The manufacturer of a truck part that failed to work
• A mechanic or shop that made errors while repairing the truck
• The workers responsible for maintaining the roads where the accident happened

Our team will compile the evidence that proves the at-fault party’s negligence and financial responsibility. We will also send a spoliation letter to the truck company to preserve any evidence we may need to prove your case. This can include:

• Maintenance and repair records for the truck
• Data from the truck’s black box
• Video footage from the driver’s dashcam
• The truck driver’s training history, logbook
• Records of previous violations at the company

We will review all evidence you have and collect additional evidence to prove your case. Some cases may only find one party liable for the accident, while others can see multiple parties being found liable. If you attempt to take your case on alone or with an inexperienced personal injury attorney, you could end up leaving money on the table.

Will You Have to Go to Trial?

It is important to remember that commercial truck accidents can be very damaging to the image of the trucking company or the party responsible. The Hammack Law Firm understands this, and we will use it to our advantage when negotiating a reasonable settlement offer.

Trucking companies and their insurance companies usually want to settle the case without going to court. There are many benefits to avoiding court, like saving time and money. If we are able to negotiate a feasible settlement that ensures your bills are paid, and your future is guaranteed, that’s great! But if they are stubborn and refuse to negotiate fair compensation, we have no issue with litigation and taking them to court. Either way, we will do everything in our power to make sure you receive fair compensation.

Why Should You Trust Our Team With Your Truck Accident Case?

Our personal injury team goes to bat for you. To compile evidence on your behalf, we will read and review your medical records and crash report and locate and interview witnesses. From them, we draw proof of the at-fault party’s negligence and establish the financial costs of the accident. We will also:

• Handle all verbal and written communications with all parties in your case
• Locate supportive photos and video footage
• Compile evidence and interview witnesses
• Keep you aware of the progress of your case
• Explain all state and federal laws that apply to your case
• Answer your questions and address your concerns

We consider it a privilege to serve you and take care of your needs. When you trust our law firm to represent you, our team never leaves you alone or uncertain about the progress of your case. We treat you like our own family and fight for the compensation you need to get the care you need and put your life back on track.

We Fight Hard for Every Client We Represent

When we say our entire firm is focused on the best possible outcome for our clients, we mean it. In fact, if you do not win your case, we will not charge you any fees. We fight hard for every client we serve and will:

• Treat you like we treat our friends and family members
• Bring a personal touch to the personal injury experience
• Give you and your case the time and attention you need

Our mission is to build a personal relationship with you, make South Carolina a safer place for everyone, hold liable parties accountable for their negligence, and fight for financial compensation for every injured client we represent.

How Long Do You Have to File a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Claim?

In South Carolina, personal injury cases must be filed within a specific time frame. Commonly known as the statute of limitations, S.C. Ann § 15-3-530 generally allows you up to three years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If you fail to comply with the statute of limitations, the potential consequences can be costly. It can mean:

• You cannot file your lawsuit at all, or
• The court will dismiss your lawsuit, ending your opportunity to recover damages

If either of these things happens, you can be left with no further legal recourse for compelling the at-fault party to compensate you. When our team is on your side and with sufficient notice, we work diligently to ensure your case complies with the statute of limitations.

What Kinds of Truck Accidents Does Our Law Firm Handle?

No matter what kind of truck accident you have been in, Hammack Law Firm will review your truck accident and inform you of your legal options going forward. We handle cases involving:

• Rollover accidents
• Sideswipe accidents
• Jack-knife accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Drunk driving (DUI) accidents
• Drowsy driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Improper or illegal turns

We urge you to seek proper medical care for your injuries. Then, we can provide you with a free consultation and explain how you could seek financial recovery to rebuild your life after your collision in Myrtle Beach.

What Do Previous Clients Say About Our Team?

Our personal injury team fights hard for injured clients and the financial compensation they are entitled to receive. We are proud of our Google reviews and of the customer testimonials on our website, including these:

• “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
• “Paul Hammack and his staff brought their ‘A Game’ in representing me… Although Paul had many cases, he always made me feel that mine was the most important with the attention he gave. These folks are highly recommended.” – Jerry Oates

We work hard to ensure that you and every client we represent receive the personal attention of a small firm and the experience of a big firm. The words and accolades of previous clients bear witness to how warm, supportive, and accommodating our team is and tell you how hard we work on every aspect of your recovery.

Get Help from Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Myrtle Beach

If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, you do not have to fight for compensation alone. Get our Hammack Law Firm personal injury team on your side by contacting one of our team members at 864-766-7108 today.

We put the personal back in “personal injury.”