Charleston Head-On Truck Accident Attorney


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Mark won my case and got me a big settlement. Before I hired Mark, I didn’t know where to get my car fixed, which doctor I should go to, or what to do about missing time from work. Mark took care of everything and answered all of my questions. Mark and his team were there every step of the way and took the burden off of me and my family. He was always available to talk to me whenever I had a question. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs an attorney.

Erin - Charleston

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If you or a loved one were hit head-on by a commercial truck, fill out the form to schedule a consultation with a Charleston, SC attorney.

Legal Representation for Head-On Truck Collision Victims

Bringardner Injury Law Firm provides legal representation for head-on truck collision victims. Whether you have lost a loved one or you are suffering from devastating injuries, we are an experienced team who will fight for you.

We are the Charleston, SC head-on truck accident lawyers who are known for protecting victims from the insurance companies and the big corporations. Don’t let their tactics or a simple mistake hurt your case. Our team aggressively fights for your rights.

We represent residents and visitors in the Charleston region and across South Carolina. Bringardner Injury Law Firm is proud to be your aggressive legal advocate. You can leave everything to our Charleston truck accident lawyers. Call us today to discuss your situation.

What Is a Head-On Truck Accident?

A head-on truck accident occurs when a truck strikes another vehicle with the vehicles impacting each other both from the front. They most commonly occur on two-way streets where traffic moves in both directions and at intersections.

Why do head-on truck accidents happen?

With commercial trucks weighing up to 30 times a typical passenger car, the risks are well known. So why do head-on truck crashes continue to happen? Here are some reasons:

  • Longer braking times for commercial trucks as compared to passenger vehicles, so drivers are not able to react as quickly to a danger on the road
  • Drivers may be forced to work long hours without breaks and sleep
  • Maintenance is especially important for brakes and other key components. These critical parts and systems may not be given the routine and specialized maintenance they need
  • Trucks often carry large loads. A load can make the truck maneuver in a way that the driver is not prepared for. In addition, a truck without a trailer, called “bob-tailing” may also not be able to maneuver as usual because the truck is designed to haul a load and handles differently without a trailer attached
  • With the long hours commercial drivers are in their vehicles, they may become complacent. They may be distracted by texting, communicating with others, or even letting their mind wander
  • Commercial truck drivers are supposed to be trained on how to react to various situations on the road. They must be qualified for the responsibility of operating large and dangerous vehicles. When training and skills are lacking, a head-on crash may be the result
  • Trucks need a safe design to operate just like any other vehicle on the road. If manufacturing and design defects render a vehicle unsafe, those involved in a crash may not realize the problem until it is too late
  • Road design must take into account trucks that will be on the roads along with other vehicles. Poor road construction or design may contribute to a crash

When a head-on truck accident happens, there are many possible causes. Sometimes, multiple factors cause or contribute to a crash. Understanding the cause(s) is key to any legal claim. Our legal team investigates why the crash occurred, going beyond any police report and insurance company investigation to build your case for justice.

Why is legal representation in a head-on truck accident claim so important?

Here are some reasons it is important to have experienced legal representation for your head-on truck accident claim:

  • South Carolina law allows you to claim economic and non-economic damages. Where injuries are expected to last, future damages can be claimed. The amount of damages are often high. The insurance company will do everything they can to avoid a large settlement or judgment.
  • Many people don’t know what their financial and personal suffering is worth, especially when their condition may last well into the future, or forever. When you have a lawyer, you will learn how the case value is properly evaluated so you are not cheated out of what is owed to your or your family.
  • Fault or legal liability may be complex, and the other side may be hiding the truth. Our legal team doesn’t stop at the word “no.” We fight for answers.
  • When you’re suffering from a severe injury or the loss of a family member, we can handle the entire legal process related to the crash. Putting the legal case in our hands allows you to focus on you and your family.
  • Each case is different. You shouldn’t settle for a one-size-fits-all case result. Experienced legal representation gives you the insight to customize your case to your specific needs.

You may deserve significant monetary compensation for a head-on truck accident. Our lawyers can help you get the best result possible. Learn how our Charleston, South Carolina head-on truck accident lawyers can assist you. Ask for your free case review now.

Head-On Truck Crash Statistics

Fatal truck crashes occur most often on two-way roads that are not divided. These crashes account for 49.1% of all fatal truck crashes. Two-way roads that are divided with an unprotected median or barrier result in another 43.6% of fatal truck crashes. (FMCSA, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2020). Victims lose their lives in Charleston and the surrounding areas.

About Charleston, SC truck crashes

The Charleston metropolitan area comprises three counties: Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester. All of them have significant populations, as the region is home to more than 800,000 residents. As a seaport, commercial shipping is vital to the Charleston economy. That means a significant presence of trucking activity on the roads in high-population areas.

Law enforcement that may investigate a head-on truck crash in Charleston includes:

Charleston, SC Police Department

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

Berkeley County Sheriff

Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office

South Carolina Highway Patrol

If you are in a crash, contact emergency responders as soon as possible. Get medical care immediately. Our law firm builds on the investigation done by law enforcement to gather the evidence needed for you case.

Serving Victims and Families in the Charleston, SC Area

30% of truck accidents with passenger vehicles are head-on collisions. This figure is higher than other impact points (side or rear crashes), making head-on truck accidents extremely serious for victims.

Victims and families need a voice. That’s the mission of our legal team. Whatever your situation – the severity of injury or loss of life, drivers or passengers involved, Charleston residents or visitors – we are here to be your legal voice in our community. Get compensated for your head-on truck accident injuries and damages. Contact us to begin your case.

Experienced Representation for Serious Cases

It isn’t enough for you just to bring a case or even receive a settlement. You need justice. That means financial compensation that reflects your losses and suffering. The law says that you deserve a monetary payment equal to your economic losses and human suffering.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Don’t worry your way through the legal process. Work with our aggressive, skilled litigators at Bringardner Injury Law Firm. We resolve cases through trial verdicts and settlements, working to maximize your compensation in an efficient legal process.

Free Consultations, Get a Case Review Today

Our Charleston head-on truck accident lawyers want to exceed your expectations. We know how important your case is. We do everything we can to win and maximize your results. Contact us today to discuss and potentially start working on your case.

 

You are Injured in An Accident

What should I do after an accident?

Immediately after an accident, if you are injured, you should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. This may seem obvious if you have pain at the scene of the collision, but often times injury victims may not feel pain until the adrenaline wears off, hours or even days after an accident. Any delay in seeking medical attention and the appropriate diagnostic testing could lead to problems down the road. Next, before contacting any insurance company, it can be smart to consult an experienced South Carolina accident attorney to protect your rights.

You will likely want to make sure that your medical records, bills, lost income, and other issues are being handled and documented properly.

Does health insurance pay for your medical bills? Does the other person’s insurance company pay? What is Medpay? How do you submit a claim for lost income? Should you go to your primary care doctor or a specialist? What if you don’t have a doctor? Who fixes your vehicle? Where do you take your vehicle? These are questions an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney can assist you with. It may also be a good idea to have your attorney conduct an investigation on your behalf as soon as possible so important evidence does not get lost.

How do I hire Bringardner Injury Lawyers?

First, you should call our office and speak with us directly about your case. Or, you can fill out our online form and we will call you as soon as possible to go over your claim and answer all of your questions. We are happy to meet with you in-person, through a virtual conference, or over the phone.

If you decide to hire us, we will send you the necessary paperwork so we can immediately begin working on your case.

So I've Hired A Lawyer. Now What?

When you hire us, we immediately go to work on your case. We will deal with the insurance company, the investigation, gathering of your medical bills, and building your case.

After getting your vehicle repaired or replaced, you only have 1 job to do after hiring us. Get better. We want you to focus on your recovery and follow all your doctors' orders. Doing this will hopefully put you on the path toward a full recovery.

Building Your Case

Immediately after you hire us, we will begin building your case. First, we will send a letter to the insurance company stating that you have retained representation, and that they are not allowed to contact you directly. They must go through us.

The Investigation

We quickly start investigating your accident by obtaining witness statements, obtaining evidence, gathering your medical records, calculating your wage losses and future medical bills, and any other damages you may have suffered as a result of your accident. Your only job is to go to the medical appointments and try to get better.

Settlement Negotiations

What's a Settlement?

A settlement is typically a sum of money paid by an insurance company. The vast majority of cases settle before going to court. However, we prepare all of our cases for a trial if that becomes necessary. We will fight to the fullest extent of the law to try and get you full and fair compensation.

How Long Will It Take?

Typically clients want to know two things: How much is my case worth and how long will it take? No lawyer knows the answers to those questions when you first hire them. The fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of factors that will determine the answers. Early in the case, you may not know the extent of any permanent injuries for which you may need compensation, and you may not know the total amount of your medical bills until a later date. Once your condition stabilizes and our investigation into the case is completed, your South Carolina accident attorney will be able to give you a more informed legal opinion. At that time a “demand” is typically sent to the insurance company to begin the potential settlement process.
Once a demand is sent to the insurance company, the insurance company usually responds after completing an evaluation of your case. At that point, your accident attorney will discuss the insurance company's response with you. If you are not satisfied with the insurance company's settlement offer or response, and no settlement is reached, then the next step is for your accident attorney to file a lawsuit. Most settlements are paid within 4 weeks of being accepted. However, if an acceptable settlement is not reached at this phase, the next step is for us to prepare and file a lawsuit.

Filing a Lawsuit

Filing The Complaint

Most of the time, auto accident cases are resolved in a settlement, but in some instances, they require a lawsuit to get resolved. In this instance, the first step is for your auto accident attorney to write a legal document called a complaint. The complaint is filed at the courthouse, and then the defendant (more likely his insurance company) will have an attorney file a formal response with the Court. Filing a lawsuit does not mean that you are going to trial. Again, the vast majority of lawsuits also settle before trial. People often think they are “going to court” if the file a lawsuit. In layman’s terms, the filing of a lawsuit simply takes the case out of the informal setting between your lawyer and the insurance company and formally puts it in into the court system so that a judge can assist with any legal disputes that arise.

Discovery

The discovery phase begins after a lawsuit is filed. This phase of the case allows both sides to ask questions and obtain additional documents that may not have been available without a subpoena. The purpose is to “discover” the other side's evidence, and learn more about the opposing party's case. This is done by many methods, including submitting requests for documents, and submitting interrogatories (questions in writing that the opposing party must answer) or depositions (in-person or videoconference interviews conducted by the attorneys.)

We will be by your side, every step of the way, to fight for a favorable outcome in your case.

Alternative Resolution Methods

At any point during the case, you can decide to settle your case. There are several ways to settle a case.

Negotiation

Sometimes cases settle on “the court house steps”. That means that the case settles right before trial. Often times, the threat of a jury trial is the only thing that encourages the insurance company to increase their settlement offer. That is because during your case, the settlement money is under their control. Once a trial begins, the insurance company loses some of that control and it is placed in the hands of the judge and/or jury – who may order a lot more money to be paid to you than what the insurance company wants to offer. Sometimes the most reasonable and fair settlement offers do not get made until right before a trial is scheduled to begin. Some cases even settle during or even after trial. While this is less common, it occurs from time to time.

Mediation

Mediation is a process where both parties meet in front of an agreed-upon mediator. Mediators are trained professionals who are skilled at moderating fair negotiations. The goal of mediation is a resolution, but if no resolution is reached, the case will continue on.
During The Course Of The Case, Both Parties May Also Engage In Direct Negotiations.

Trial

We prepare every case as if we are going to trial. We believe the best way to avoid trial and obtain the best settlement possible is to show the insurance company that we will accept nothing other than a fair settlement, and take it to a trial if it is necessary.

What Happens At Trial?

At trial, we will present your case in front of a jury or judge to let them decide the fair value of your case.

Resolution

At the end of trial, we typically receive a verdict, which can result in a judgement. Trial can take anywhere from a day to a week (or more) depending on the complexity of the case.

Reviews

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Get in touch with us today to get started on your free case review. After you submit your information, we will contact you as soon as possible before the end of the business day. We review all submissions as quickly as possible in the order in which they are received.