The physical, financial, and emotional toll of a truck accident in Greenville, SC, can be overwhelming. You have the right to fair compensation from the person who caused the collision, and The Melonakos Law Firm is ready to help you demand it. Let our Greenville truck accident lawyers manage your legal case while you heal and rebuild your life.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with our truck accident attorneys.
Key Reasons Why You Should Work with Our Greenville Truck Wreck Lawyers
Who you choose as your Greenville truck accident lawyer could make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose The Melonakos Law Firm:
- We deliver proven results. You get one chance to recover compensation after a Greenville truck crash, and you should make the most of it. Our tractor-trailer accident lawyers have recovered over $50 million in compensation for our previous clients. We are ready to put our experience to work for you. We’ll start by thoroughly assessing what you’ve suffered in order to seek maximum compensation for all your losses.
- We have extensive courtroom experience. Attorney Michael Melonakos has tried over 20 bench trials and over 30 jury trials. You can trust that we understand the nuances of personal injury cases and what it takes to win them. Our willingness to take cases to court can provide extra leverage that actually makes a favorable settlement more likely.
- We provide personalized attention. You are more than just a case to us. We prioritize personal attention for every client and will keep you fully informed at every stage of your case. We’re always available to answer your questions or concerns, and we tailor our approach to your needs.
Why Are Large Truck Accident Cases Frequently More Complex?
Several factors can make truck accident cases more complex than other personal injury claims.
First, truck accidents tend to cause particularly severe injuries, given the size and weight of the commercial vehicles involved. These more severe injuries lead to more expensive medical bills for patients, more time away from work, and a higher risk of long-term impairment. All these elements can significantly increase a claim’s value but also mean that insurers will fight them all the harder. More money is on the line because commercial trucks typically carry liability insurance coverage with much higher limits than personal cars – often $1 million or more.
Another complicating factor in Greenville truck accident claims is that they often involve multiple potentially at-fault parties. For instance, a truck crash resulting from fatigue might involve the driver (for failing to take their required breaks) and the trucking company (for failing to enforce safety regulations). You need a lawyer who knows how to pore through the evidence to determine everyone who could be at fault for what happened and to hold them financially accountable for the consequences.
Finally, a complex web of state and federal regulations frequently apply to truck accident claims. Inexperienced lawyers or attorneys who don’t often handle truck accident claims might not fully understand these laws, how to identify potential violations, and how to use those violations to establish liability.
Common Causes and Types of Truck Accidents in Greenville
Some common causes and types of Greenville truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving accidents – Truck drivers work long hours at a job that’s both dull and high-pressure, which puts them at risk of succumbing to distracted driving. Texting while driving, talking on the phone, using GPS devices, and engaging in other distractions can prevent truck drivers from noticing potential hazards that can cause a crash.
- Impaired driving accidents – Despite strict laws against impaired driving, some truck drivers drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, severely compromising their ability to safely handle these large, dangerous vehicles. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can have similar side effects if drivers aren’t careful about when and how they take them.
- Tailgating accidents – Semi-trucks are much bigger and heavier than passenger cars, meaning they take longer to slow down and stop. Truck drivers who follow other traffic too closely can easily cause a potentially devastating crash.
- Sideswipe accidents – Tractor-trailers have large blind spots on either side and directly behind the trailer. Truck drivers who aren’t careful when passing, turning, or changing lanes may collide with a vehicle next to them.
- Head-on accidents – Distracted, impaired, or careless truck drivers can cross into the path of oncoming traffic, potentially leading to horrific head-on collisions.
- Wide-turn accidents – Trucks must make wide turns to avoid hitting objects, but drivers must be careful when making these turns. Otherwise, the truck might strike nearby vehicles while making the turn.
- Intersection accidents – Driver distractions, vehicle defects, and other hazards can make a truck driver lose control at an intersection and collide with other traffic.
- Speeding accidents – Speeding is particularly dangerous for truck drivers because trucks already need extra space to slow down and stop. Speeding heightens these dangers while also increasing the severity of injuries in a collision.
Legal Options for Greenville Truck Accident Victims
If someone else is responsible for causing the truck accident that injured you, they could owe you compensation for the harm you suffered as a result. Your first option for pursuing this compensation is to file a claim against the at-fault party’s liability insurance policy. Most trucks engaged in interstate operations in South Carolina carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, with policy minimums going up to $5 million in the case of hazardous materials.
Most successful truck accident cases end in an insurance settlement. However, you might need to file a lawsuit if the liable parties and their insurers won’t offer a fair deal. If this happens, you can take your case before a judge or jury, who will decide whether the defendants in your case are liable for your injuries and, if so, how much they owe you.
If you wish to file a truck accident lawsuit and take your case to trial, you must do so within three years of the crash date, according to the statute of limitations. Only very narrow exceptions can extend the deadline to file suit. Missing the deadline would likely mean you cannot pursue compensation for your losses. It’s best to talk to our Greenville truck accident attorneys as soon as possible.
Types of Evidence Involved in Proving Liability for a Truck Crash
The key legal issue in a truck accident claim is showing how the truck driver or another party caused the crash through their careless actions. Our Greenville truck accident lawyers can gather evidence like the following examples to support your claim:
- Traffic or surveillance cameras – Videos from surveillance cameras, traffic cameras, and dash cams can provide a neutral perspective on the crash and reveal the truck driver’s actions. For example, a camera might have caught the truck driver looking at their phone or running a traffic signal.
- Eyewitness accounts – Eyewitnesses can testify about what they saw in the moments leading up to a truck accident, which may indicate who caused the collision. For instance, a bystander may have seen a truck driver looking at their phone or noticed the truck was following too closely behind another car.
- The truck’s electronic logging device – By law, most commercial trucks must have electronic logging devices. Data from these devices may show that the truck driver didn’t take their required breaks, putting themselves and others in danger.
- Expert testimony – Professional accident reconstructionists and other specialists can closely examine the evidence from the scene to reconstruct what happened. These experts can even recreate the crash conditions through computer modeling with the right evidence.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Truck Accident Case
Your truck accident claim could include compensation for the many losses you may have experienced from the crash, including:
- Current and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The cost to repair or replace your car or other damaged property
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Greenville, SC
Follow these steps after a truck accident to protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention for your truck accident injuries and follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Save your medical bills and other receipts for later use.
- Take notes about everything you remember regarding the accident and how it happened.
- Don’t talk to any insurance companies without talking to an experienced truck accident attorney first.
- Get help from our Greenville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Our Greenville Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You
Life after a serious truck accident is challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone. While you rest and heal, The Melonakos Law Firm can investigate the accident to determine what caused the collision and who should be held financially responsible. We’ll also use your medical records, pay stubs, and other evidence to document the full scope of your injuries.
From there, we’ll file an insurance claim against the liable parties. We’re skilled negotiators and will negotiate assertively for a settlement from the insurer that reflects the full extent of what you’ve suffered. We’ll push back if a trucking company or an insurance company denies liability or makes an unfair offer. If they dig in their feet, we won’t hesitate to take them to court. Our extensive litigation experience gives us an edge in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. We’re ready to use it to your advantage.
Contact The Melonakos Law Firm now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Greenville.
