When you mix 18-wheelers, congested roads, and distracted drivers on Myrtle Beach highways, you have a recipe for disaster. Because semi trucks are much larger than the average passenger vehicle, they often cause more severe damage when they collide with other cars. With that in mind, insurance carriers and the trucking companies they protect often attempt to settle these cases swiftly and quietly – without any real concern for accident victims. If you were hurt in a truck accident in Myrtle Beach, we want you to know you have a legal right to pursue a full and fair settlement.
At the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, our South Carolina personal injury lawyer puts clients first. Creating a safer South Carolina and achieving fair outcomes for the people we serve are our top priorities. We communicate with our clients, listen to their concerns, and enable them to focus on healing. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Myrtle Beach, contact us today to see how we can help. The law gives you the right to hold the trucking company accountable for their dangerous business practices, and we are here to help you achieve justice and peace of mind.
- 10 Things to Know After a Truck Wreck to Protect Your Rights
- How a Truck Accident Lawyer May Benefit You
- What You Can Expect from Our Myrtle Beach Injury Firm
10 Things to Know After A Myrtle Beach Truck Accident to Guarantee Your Rights Are Protected
1. Contact Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible
When a commercial truck gets in a wreck, it usually totals the other vehicle and results in significant harm. You do not have to give your insurance company a recorded statement - at least not without consulting a lawyer - but you do need to get in touch with them. The sooner your insurer knows about the wreck, the sooner you are likely to receive money for the totaled vehicle, as well as any “medical payment” benefits. In addition, your insurance carrier will get in touch with the trucking company’s insurer and help speed up the claims filing process.
2. You Do Not Have to Speak to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster
Semi-trucks are either self-insured, or they carry insurance. Often times, especially if the accident caused severe harm or death, the insurance adjuster for the trucker or his company will try and settle cases quickly, but for far less than they are worth. Under South Carolina’s laws, you have no obligation whatsoever to speak or meet with the other driver’s insurance adjuster. In fact, I would not even consider doing so before at least getting a free consultation from an experienced Myrtle Beach truck accident attorney.
3. Commercial Trucks are Required to Have at Least $750,000 in Insurance Coverage
South Carolina’s minimum insurance limits do not apply to 18 wheelers or other “heavy” trucks. Instead, federal law mandates that motor carriers have no less than $750,000 in liability coverage to protect other people in the event of a truck accident. Often times, there is more insurance coverage available, and may be paid in “layers” by different companies.
4. South Carolina Safety Regulations Exist to Protect People Against Negligent Truck Drivers
South Carolina has essentially adopted the “federal motor carrier safety regulations (FMCSRs),” and also developed its own laws to help prevent trucking accidents. Nonetheless, there are lots of negligent truck drivers and companies that violate those laws and cause horrible collisions. The takeaway for anyone reading this article is: if a semi-truck caused the accident, I can almost assure you they broke multiple truck safety regulations in addition to normal traffic laws. In a civil case, we can hold the company accountable for its dangerous business practices and the harm they caused.
5. Data from the Truck Will Often Be the Best Evidence to Prove They Were Liable
Most 18 wheelers, and large commercial vehicles generally, have on-board computers and what is commonly called a “black box.” The black box records data such as speed and hours of use in the event of a truck accident. Moreover, the on-board data systems can provide valuable information concerning the driver’s location and driving behavior in the hours or days leading up to the wreck. The vehicle might also be equipped with cameras that show us whether the driver was on his phone, or otherwise distracted when the wreck occurred.
6. Evidence Can Start Disappearing If a “Preservation Letter” is Not Sent
The first thing we do after meeting with a truck accident client is send “preservation of evidence” letters to the trucking company, driver, and insurance company. We do not want that truck sent back out on the road before all black box and other electrical data is downloaded. Likewise, we often want the vehicle inspected under South Carolina law after a truck accident to see whether improper maintenance contributed to the collision. If requests are not made upon the company and driver, they will often repair the truck and place it back in service, which in effect destroys potential evidence.
7. There is a 3 Year Statute of Limitations on Myrtle Beach, SC Truck Accident Lawsuits
A claim against a trucking company or its insurance carrier can be started almost immediately after a collision. Like other types of insurance claims, those involving truck accidents may settle without a lawsuit. However, if it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit (which it often does, unfortunately), then you have 3 years to do so in South Carolina. The big exception is that you only have 2 years to bring a suit against a government defendant (examples may include city buses, DOT semis, garbage trucks). In addition, people under the age of 18 may have longer than 3 years to pursue their case depending on how old they were at the time of the accident.
8. Not All Myrtle Beach Lawyers Know How to Handle a Truck Wreck
Accidents involving 18 wheelers are different than ordinary car crashes. The laws are different, the strategies are unique, the stakes are usually higher, and there tend to be more expert witnesses needed. Even though anyone with a law license in our state can represent you, make sure the lawyer you consult with or hire actually knows the FMCSRs, understands which experts may be necessary to prove the truck driver’s negligence, and has handled other trucking lawsuits across South Carolina.
9. Punitive Damages Against the Truck Driver or Company Can Increase Settlement Value
No one wants to get a punitive damages verdict against them, especially not a trucking company. Due to the fact that most semi truck accidents in Myrtle Beach are actually the result of a truck driver’s reckless actions or a company’s conscious disregard for public safety, there is often the possibility of a large punitive verdict if the case goes to trial. This fact can increase settlement value and lead to an earlier resolution if the facts that are uncovered are damaging enough.
10. Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts Are Based on Many Different Factors
In a typical legal case, you want to know who is at fault and how bad someone got hurt, or if there was a loss of life. Trucking cases follow the same logic to some degree but are more complex. For instance, proving who was at fault requires us to look not only at “what” happened but also at “why.” We want to examine the trucking company’s hiring, training, and monitoring practices, as well as the driver’s true qualifications. Oftentimes, we find out that the company is as much at fault as the truck driver. In addition, some truck wrecks cause permanent injuries or death. Any settlement or verdict for such a case is far different than one involving only temporary harm. It is important to find out the extent of any permanent injury, the future medical care needed to treat the injury, and how someone’s earnings will be impacted, before entering any type of settlement agreement.
There is a lot more to South Carolina law, federal regulations, and truck wrecks generally, but I hope this provided some insight so that no one tries taking advantage of you in the wake of an accident with a commercial truck. If you have any questions, we are here to answer them and help in any way possible.
A Few More Ways a Myrtle Beach Truck Accident Lawyer May Benefit You
The trucking companies that are responsible for these collisions have a lot at stake, which typically means they’ll be vigorously defended by their insurance provider. Even when they admit fault, they rarely (if ever) admit the full extent of your harm or what they owe under the law. It’s important to at least speak with an attorney before speaking with the insurance adjuster to ensure you have a shot at a fair outcome. A truck wreck lawyer can help:
- Determine the true cause of the accident so that all responsible parties are held accountable
- Identify evidence and witnesses to build a strong case
- Ensure you are receiving proper medical care
- Negotiate with the insurance adjuster so you can focus on healing
- File a lawsuit and even take your case to trial if the trucking company and its insurance provider refuse to enter a fair settlement
What You Can Expect from Our Law Firm
We are a values-driven firm right here in Myrtle Beach. We were founded with a clear mission: to create a safer South Carolina and to protect the rights and dignity of every client that enters our doors. When you hire us, you can expect respect, regular communication, and a guarantee that every member of our firm puts forth full effort to ensure you get the highest level of legal representation we can provide.
