South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers

Free Case Evaluation

Call 803-327-7800 now or fill out the form above to schedule your free case evaluation.

South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers

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Fighting for justice for victims of 18-wheeler and commercial truck accidents

Accidents involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other large trucks often lead to severe, even fatal, injuries. Surviving a crash with an 18-wheeler may have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of those you love.

The experienced South Carolina truck accident attorneys at the law firm of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, understand how serious these collisions can be. We are familiar with the common causes of truck accidents and know how to deal with complex cases involving multiple parties and catastrophic injuries. That’s why it’s critical that injury victims contact us immediately. We will fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Free Case Evaluation

Call 803-327-7800 now or fill out the form above to schedule your free case evaluation.

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How can your South Carolina truck accident attorneys help me?

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McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has been representing victims of truck accidents for 20 years. Every single case is unique, but the bottom line is we can often help you obtain the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve after your accident. Some of the ways our experienced legal team can help you include:

Holding reckless truck drivers and their employers accountable for their actions

The list goes on and on. And best of all, if you have any questions, we’re here to provide you with honest answers and straightforward advice. Filing a lawsuit after a truck accident in South Carolina might seem simple, but knowing whom to sue and where to file the lawsuit can be a challenge. That’s because truck accidents often involve several large corporations, many of which are sometimes located in different states across the country. Our lawyers can help you cut through the red tape. You can count on us to provide straightforward advice and honest answers to your questions.

You should know that when you work with one of our South Carolina truck accident attorneys, you will not be required to pay anything out-of-pocket. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay attorney fees only when we successfully resolve your case through a trial or settlement. Our attorney fees come out of the award after we win the case; it costs you nothing upfront to work with us.

How are truck accidents different from car accidents?

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The biggest difference is you are not simply dealing with another driver and their insurance company if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Truck accidents often involve taking legal action against a large corporation, and there are often several different insurance companies involved representing the company’s interests.

Another difference between truck accidents and car accidents is the injuries from truck accidents are often much more severe. Due to the large size of many tractor-trailers, truck accident injury victims often sustain spinal cord injuries and neck and back injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. All these injuries demand strong legal action. We will take your case to a jury if we believe that’s the best way forward for you and your family.

What are the leading causes of truck accidents?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) creates an annual report on the leading causes of truck accidents. The most recent data found that driver negligence was a leading cause of commercial vehicle collisions. That negligence can, and often does, take the form of:

  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Driving while distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, infotainment units, food and beverages, and other factors
  • Driving too fast/inappropriately for weather or road conditions
  • Reckless or aggressive driving
  • Ignoring changes in road gradients

But these are not the only acts of negligence that can lead to a collision with an 18-wheeler. Overloading trucks or failing to maintain them can also lead to crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates a 10% increase in fatal truck accidents from 2021 to 2022.

What are the different types of truck accidents?

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Commercial vehicles like big-rigs or flatbeds can cause the same types of crashes that passengers vehicles do, such as rear-end collisions or side-swipe crashes. But because of the sheer size and build of tractor-trailers and similar vehicles, there are certain types of accidents unique to trucks:

Remember that the average tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded, and as much as 35,000 lbs. when it’s empty.

Truck accidents are common on I-20, the William Earle Berne Beltway, I-26, I-95, I-85, I-77, and other roads and highways throughout the state. No matter where the collision occurred, our South Carolina truck accident lawyers are ready to help.

What type of injuries result from truck accidents?

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Truck accidents can cause a wide range of catastrophic injuries. People in passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders, cyclists, and pedestrians are very likely to be killed in a collision with a truck; those who survive may have life-altering injuries.

When your child is injured

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Truck accident cases involving children are especially tragic, but they can also be challenging. Often, serious injuries like brain trauma or spinal cord damage, or even broken growth plates, can compound over time. If your child was injured in a wreck involving a big-rig or other commercial vehicle, we want to help. We understand that injuries sustained today may affect your child for the rest of his or her life, impacting his or her ability to get an education, find or hold a job, or begin a life of his or her own.

We know that no amount of money is ever going to replace what your child lost, but we don’t think you should have to carry the financial burdens alone. Our attorneys will fight to secure compensation that ensures your child’s safety and security in the years to come.

Who is liable for a truck accident in South Carolina?

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In the aftermath of a large-scale trucking accident, the main question families may be left wondering is: Who is to blame? While nothing can change the past, the experienced attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC work tirelessly to help families who sustained injuries from truck accidents answer that question and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Truck accident litigation differs from passenger auto accidents, as there may be multiple parties at fault. Those parties may include:

In some rare cases, a government agency may even be held liable through the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has experience representing injury victims through this Act.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina?

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The statute of limitations (time frame) for filing an injury claim can vary. Generally speaking, it is up to three years from the day you were injured, but there are exceptions to every rule – and time may not be on your side. Contacting McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC as soon as you are able can help you avoid being time-barred from making a claim or filing a lawsuit.

What is my truck accident lawsuit worth?

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Every case is unique, and there is no set award amount for a truck accident. There are many variables to consider. For example, the severity of your injuries, the long-term effect of your injuries, and the cause and the circumstances of the accident will all play a role in your case. Each of these factors will have an impact on what type and how much compensation a jury might award in a lawsuit. Some of the different types of economic and non-economic damages you can seek in a personal injury lawsuit include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity/ permanent disability
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium
  • Other damages

In a wrongful death lawsuit, you may be entitled to:

  • Payment or reimbursement of the deceased’s medical bills (if any)
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Lost wages, income, and benefits from the deceased’s employment
  • Pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
  • Pain and suffering of relatives of the deceased
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of the marital relationship

Do you have a truck accident lawyer near me?

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McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has offices throughout the state of South Carolina:

We also serve clients throughout the State of South Carolina in all 46 counties, including Sumter, Anderson, Orangeburg, Hilton Head, Aiken, and Spartanburg.

We offer phone and video consultations and will make home and hospital visits when needed. Rest assured that we are always close by when you need us the most.

Our South Carolina truck accident attorneys are ready to help

If you were injured in a trucking accident, you may feel overwhelmed by the insurance company's red tape. Medical bills can add up quickly. You may face a mountain of confusing paperwork. You don’t have to face these challenges on your own. Demand justice. Expect more. Call our offices at 803-327-7800  or contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, and schedule a free case evaluation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our South Carolina truck accident lawyers can help you get your life back on track.