Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Liability in a truck accident is not as straightforward as liability in a car accident. Who can be found liable will depend on the circumstances of the crash, and more than one party may ultimately be responsible for your injuries.

Like with any auto accident, the truck driver may be held responsible if their negligence or recklessness contributed to the collision. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while fatigued, excessive speeding, failing to yield right-of-way, or violating other safety protocols are all examples of negligence that could trigger liability. If a driver is employed by a trucking company and was operating the truck on behalf of their employer at the time of the crash, then that company can also be held liable in some cases.

In addition to the driver and their employer, other parties may be legally responsible for a truck accident depending on what caused it. For example, if poor maintenance were a factor in the collision, then it may be possible to hold the maintenance crew accountable. Similarly, if defective parts contributed to a crash, the manufacturer of the defective components may be held liable. Even cargo loaders can be potentially liable if their failure to properly secure cargo leads to a collision. 

Bell Legal Group can take the guesswork out of liability for a truck accident. After conducting a thorough investigation into what happened, we will ascertain all liable parties and advise you on how to proceed. 

What Damages Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

To protect your right to recover damages from liable parties, you must file your truck accident lawsuit before the deadline enforced by the state. South Carolina’s statute of limitations for truck accidents is three years after the date of the collision. However, you only have two years from the date of the accident if the defendant is a government entity. When someone suffers fatal injuries in a truck accident, the executor of their estate has three years from the date of their passing to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Our South Carolina truck accident lawyers will work to secure full and fair compensation for all economic and non-economic losses, such as:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

Injured in a truck accident? Schedule a free case evaluation by calling (843) 396-1777 or contacting us online today.