South Carolina Failure to Maintain Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a truck accident, the party responsible for maintaining the vehicle could be liable. Though federal law requires commercial trucks to undergo regular maintenance, some motor carriers fail to follow through with it.
Our South Carolina attorneys will look for evidence of failure to maintain the truck in your accident case, as well as other potential factors. We are here to help you navigate the legal process so that you can seek compensation for your damages. Free case reviews with our team are available 24/7.
Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Handle Your Case
At Anastopoulo Law Firm, our team of attorneys thoroughly investigates each case we take on and looks for the best path to recovering compensation for our clients. Along the way, we’ll handle these and other steps in your truck accident case:
- Collect supporting evidence, such as maintenance logs and black box data from the trucking company
- Identify the liable parties to name in your claim
- Navigate the state and federal regulations that play a role in your case
- Estimate the value of each loss you suffered
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement
- Let you know if and when it may be necessary to go to court
In addition, we work with accident reconstruction specialists and other industry experts to determine exactly how an accident occurred—and who is responsible. Our attorneys will pour our time and resources into your case so that you can focus on recovering with your family.
We Strive for Accessible Legal Representation
There is no need to worry about whether you can afford legal representation when you choose our firm. We handle our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- We will start on your case with no upfront fee.
- Our firm covers all the initial costs to pursue your compensation.
- You never pay out of pocket since we take payment as a percentage of your court award or settlement only at the end of the case.
Our team also reviews cases for free any time of day, so you don’t have to wait or pay anything to learn about your legal options. During this initial consultation, we’ll listen to your account of the case and explain how our services can help.
Why South Carolina Injury Victims Choose Us
Client satisfaction is our priority, so we appreciate every review we receive from those we’ve helped across South Carolina. Google reviews like these can give insight into what it’s like working with our firm:
- “Caring friendly team they have employed they let you know the process whats going on and handle things efficiently and fast.” – Joshua
- “I really appreciate the quality of service and professionalism in handling my case.” – Verdia
- “Great team, stayed in contact and took the time to explain every step of the way!!!!!!. I would definitely refer them to anyone in need.” – Erin
If you’re seeking a truck accident lawyer to represent you in Charleston, Greenville, Florence, or another nearby South Carolina city, our firm has what it takes to fight for your financial recovery.
For a free legal consultation with a failure to maintain truck accidents lawyer serving South Carolina, call 803-222-2222
You Could Recover Various Truck Accident Damages in South Carolina
Trucking companies and other businesses that own or lease semi-trucks must keep their vehicles in safe condition for the road. When they fail to do so, the consequences can be devastating.
If you or your loved one experienced such an accident, you could collect compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment, transportation to the hospital, and your hospital stay
- Ongoing medical care, including pain medications, surgeries, and physical therapy
- Unearned income during the recovery period
- An inability to earn the same amount or hold the same job from before the collision due to lasting injuries
- Pain and suffering from the injuries
These are just a few examples of recoverable truck accident damages—you could qualify for others based on the specifics of your case. Our lawyers will take the time to calculate each of your damages so that your claim receives a proper value before settlement negotiations begin.
South Carolina Failure to Maintain Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 803-222-2222
Determining Liability When Faulty Maintenance Leads to a Truck Accident
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the U.S. trucking industry. According to FMCSA rules, all motor carriers must perform truck inspections, both before and after the completion of a trip. This rule means that drivers themselves have a significant responsibility when it comes to truck maintenance.
After conducting a thorough check of a vehicle and its various parts, truck drivers must sign a written inspection report. This report includes a checklist of truck parts the driver must inspect, such as the following:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
- Horns
Those who do not follow this strict inspection schedule can be liable if a collision occurs. However, these drivers are not the only ones responsible for truck maintenance and inspection.
More Than One Party Can be Liable for a Truck Collision
If a driver notices something wrong with the vehicle, they must report it to their employer. The trucking company (or the company that owns, leases, or operates the truck in question) is then responsible for taking the necessary steps to repair or replace faulty and worn parts.
In addition, trucking companies must keep all written and signed truck inspection reports for a period of at least three months. They are also not allowed to encourage, pressure, or force a driver to operate an unsuitable vehicle.
If there is evidence of a trucking company’s negligence in your case, you could hold both the company and the driver accountable for your damages. When we investigate your case, our team will work to identify each potentially liable party and build a claim against them.
How We Investigate Accident Claims for Failure to Maintain a Truck
If a truck doesn’t undergo proper inspection and maintenance regularly, various vehicle parts can begin to wear down and potentially cause a catastrophic accident. To prove that this scenario caused your or your loved one’s truck collision, our team will rely on evidence such as:
- Black box data: Many commercial trucks have this computer system onboard, which records information about the vehicle’s status leading up to a crash.
- Inspection logs: We will examine the driver’s records to verify how often they inspected the truck and when the last inspection took place.
- Maintenance logs: We will review records regarding maintenance requests and repairs for the truck involved in your case. These can reveal whether the truck received recent repairs and the kind of procedures performed on it.
- Video footage of the collision: If a nearby traffic or surveillance camera caught the collision on tape, this footage could reveal valuable information about the events leading up to, during, and after the crash.
We look at all available evidence to determine if failure to maintain the truck or other factors led to your accident.
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What You Can Do to Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident
You can do several things after an accident to protect your right to seek compensation:
- Seek medical treatment to address your injuries and create an official record connecting them to the collision.
- Avoid posting about or otherwise discussing the incident online.
- Avoid openly speculating about who is liable or what happened in the collision.
- Save any documents and other evidence you have related to the accident and your injuries.
- Consider hiring an attorney to represent you.
It is also crucial to act quickly if you plan to seek financial recovery. South Carolina enforces a filing deadline for personal injury and wrongful death cases under S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530. Our team will keep an eye on this deadline while building your case to protect your right to sue.
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Contact Our South Carolina Law Firm
With more than 25 years of experience, our attorneys have the in-depth legal knowledge, resources, and skills needed to thoroughly prepare your case. If your accident happened because of someone’s failure to maintain the truck involved, we want to help you hold the negligent parties accountable. Reach out now for your free case review with our team: (800) 313-2546.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form