Greenville Truck Accident Attorneys
We Stand Up for You
If you or a loved one was involved in a serious truck accident in Greenville, you may be suffering very serious physical and emotional consequences. At CR Legal Team, we serve the people in the community in accident claims and lawsuits. With over 30 years of representing the injured and an impressive record in difficult injury cases, you can trust in the talent and dedication of our truck accident attorneys in Greenville, SC.
Call (866) 691-0607 to get in touch with our Greenville, SC truck accident lawyers at CR Legal Team.
Standing Up for Our Clients, Community, & Each Other
Greenville is the center of several regional transportation routes that are heavily traveled by commercial trucks. Drivers and passengers sharing the roadways with these large, heavy vehicles are at risk of serious injuries or death if a truck driver loses control, speeds, or makes a deadly driving error.
Truck accidents often happen on these routes and highways near Greenville:
- SR 49
- US 36
- SR 571
- SR 502
- SR 118
- And more
Legal Process Involved in South CarlinTruck Accident Claims
Our Greenville truck accident lawyers provide ongoing support throughout the entire process, clients can expect regular updates from their legal team, answers to their questions, and guidance tailored to their specific circumstances. Understanding this timeline can help alleviate stress and uncertainty associated with the legal process after a truck accident.
1. Initial Consultation
- Timeline: Typically within the first week after the accident.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Discuss details of the accident and injuries.
- Review potential legal claims and options.
- Determine if the firm will take the case, often free of charge.
- Sign a retainer agreement if the case is accepted.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering
- Timeline: 1-3 months, depending on the case's complexity.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Collecting police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene (photos, videos, etc.).
- Reviewing truck driver logs, maintenance records, and company policies.
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts if necessary.
3. Determining Liability in Truck Accident
- Timeline: Concurrent with investigation; may take weeks to months.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Identifying all potentially liable parties (e.g., truck driver, trucking company, maintenance providers).
- Analyzing insurance policies and limits of those involved.
- Understanding comparative negligence laws in the jurisdiction, which may affect recovery amounts.
4. Filing a Trucking Accident Claim
- Timeline: Within a few months after the accident, typically before the statute of limitations (which is 3 years in SC).
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Filing an insurance claim with the liable party’s insurance company.
- Submitting necessary documentation to support the claim (medical records, loss of income, etc.).
- Initial negotiations with the insurance company.
5. Negotiation Phase
- Timeline: Can take several weeks to months.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Engaging in negotiations with the insurance adjuster.
- Assessing settlement offers and determining whether they adequately compensate for damages.
- Preparing for potential counteroffers and back-and-forth discussions.
6. Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Greenville
- Timeline: If a settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may be filed within a year or two after the accident, depending on state laws.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Drafting and filing a complaint in the appropriate court.
- Serving the defendant(s) with the lawsuit documents.
- Entering the discovery phase, where both parties exchange evidence.
7. Discovery Phase
- Timeline: 6 months to 1 year.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Engaging in depositions where witnesses and parties provide sworn statements.
- Requesting documents and other evidence from the opposing party.
- Possible mediation sessions to explore settlement options before trial.
8. Pre-Trial Preparation
- Timeline: A few months leading up to the trial.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Preparing trial materials, including witness lists and evidence.
- Finalizing settlement negotiations, which may occur right up to the trial date.
- Conducting mock trials or hearings to prepare for courtroom presentation.
9. Trial
- Timeline: Typically lasts a few days to a few weeks, depending on the case complexity.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- Presenting the case to a judge or jury.
- Witness testimony, expert witnesses, and legal arguments from both sides.
- Awaiting a verdict, which may take hours to days.
10. Post-Trial
- Timeline: Weeks to months after the trial.
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What Clients Can Expect:
- If successful, collecting the awarded damages.
- If unsuccessful, considering options for appeal.
- Possible post-trial motions to address any legal errors during the trial.
Understanding Liability in Greenville, SC Trucking Accidents
When it comes to determining liability in trucking accidents in Greenville, SC, several factors can contribute to the incident. Understanding these factors is crucial, as they help establish who may be held responsible for the accident and any resulting injuries.
The common contributing factors in truck accidents include:
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Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, leading to fatigue that can impair their ability to drive safely. If a driver was overly tired at the time of the accident, this may indicate liability on their part or the trucking company.
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Intoxicated Driver: If the truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this is a serious violation that can lead to liability. It's essential to determine if any substances were in their system at the time of the accident.
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Distracted Driving: Distracted driving, whether from using a phone, eating, or other activities, can lead to dangerous situations on the road. If a driver was distracted when the accident occurred, this could establish liability.
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Failure to Maintain Vehicle: Trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicles properly. If maintenance records show negligence in upkeep, liability may fall on the company for failing to ensure the truck was safe to operate.
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Unevenly Loaded Cargo: Properly loading cargo is essential for maintaining vehicle stability. If cargo is unevenly distributed, it can cause the truck to tip or behave unpredictably, leading to accidents.
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Speeding: Driving over the speed limit is a clear violation of traffic laws. If the truck driver was speeding at the time of the accident, this can be a strong factor in establishing liability.
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Driving Too Fast for Road Conditions: Even if a driver is within the speed limit, they must adjust their speed according to road conditions (e.g., construction zones, heavy traffic). Failing to do so may indicate negligence.
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Driving Too Fast for Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions require drivers to adapt their driving. If a truck driver was driving too fast in rain, snow, or fog, this could contribute to liability.
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Unsafe Turns: Making unsafe turns can lead to collisions with other vehicles. If the driver failed to signal or check for other cars when making a turn, they may be at fault.
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Unsafe Merging: Merging without proper signaling or checking blind spots can lead to accidents. Liability may fall on the driver if they failed to merge safely.
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Faulty Truck Parts: If the accident resulted from defective parts (e.g., brakes or tires), liability could extend beyond the driver to the manufacturer or the trucking company responsible for maintenance.
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Inadequate Truck Driver Training: Truck drivers must undergo training to operate their vehicles safely. If a driver lacked adequate training and caused an accident, the trucking company could be held liable for failing to ensure their drivers were properly trained.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
When a large semi-truck, 18-wheeler, delivery truck, or other commercial truck is involved in a collision, the drivers and passengers of other vehicles involved can suffer serious injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 71% of the deaths in truck accidents were occupants of other vehicles.
Truck accidents can cause these serious injuries:
- Brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Multiple bone fractures
- Amputations
- Permanent scarring
- Back and neck injuries
- And more
We Care Like Family, Listen To Learn & Do What’s Right
At CR Legal Team, we take on truck accident cases to help victims achieve justice and fair compensation.
When working on a case, we can help by:
- Valuing your claim: Valuing a truck accident injury case involves a full review of the victim’s financial losses, including the cost of medical treatment and care, current and future. A valuation of lost wages, future estimated financial losses, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and other losses, both economic and non-economic.
- Determining liable parties: A truck accident claim or lawsuit may name several liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking firm, a parts manufacturer, or a truck maintenance company. A full investigation into the cause of the collision can identify them all.
- Filing an injury claim: We can file a “demand letter” that demands fair and full compensation, based on the facts in your case. We will seek a settlement outside of court if possible.
- Negotiating the final settlement: The skills of our truck accident attorneys in Greenville and our willingness to advance the case to court puts pressure on the insurance company and their lawyers to play fair and make an offer that addresses all your damages.
Potential Compensation in a SC Truck Accident
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Medical Expenses: Covers current and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
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Lost Wages: Reimbursement for wages lost due to the inability to work and potential future earnings if injuries affect long-term job prospects.
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Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological effects like anxiety or depression resulting from the accident.
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Property Damage: Compensation for vehicle repairs or the fair market value if the vehicle is deemed a total loss.
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Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impact on relationships with spouses or family members due to the accident.
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Punitive Damages: Additional damages awarded for gross negligence or extreme recklessness by the truck driver or trucking company.
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Miscellaneous Expenses: Reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs related to the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments or home care.
We’re All Traveling the Same Road – Let’s Move Forward Together
The CR Legal Team is a select group of injury lawyers who have proven results, and who believe the duty of an attorney is to serve the client. We are not a group of money-motivated attorneys without a heart, but instead are genuine, caring people who have chosen to work in the legal field to help the injured achieve justice. We believe our record of success is a direct reflection of our dedication to the people we serve.
For a free initial case consultation with our Greenville truck accident lawyers, call (866) 691-0607 today.