According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, 5,788 individuals died in accidents involving large commercial trucks in a recent year. For families who lose a loved one in a fatal semi truck accident, the aftermath can be emotionally devastating. During this challenging time, retaining a dedicated semi truck accident lawyer can provide you comfort and ensure you understand your rights.

The legal team at David Blackwell Law is committed to helping bereaved families protect their rights after losing loved ones in fatal truck accidents. You can trust that we will do everything possible to help you pursue justice. Contact our firm now for a free consultation.

We serve clients across South Carolina, including Indian Land, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill.

How Our Lawyers Can Help After Fatal Truck Accidents

After a fatal truck accident, attorney David Blackwell will fight to hold the responsible parties to account and secure fair compensation for your losses. Some of the ways our team will help include:

  • Offering a free initial case evaluation to understand your case better
  • Thoroughly assessing the accident and conducting a crash investigation
  • Analyzing all applicable insurance policies to help you better understand what type of coverage is available
  • Working with accident reconstruction experts to fully understand the factors that caused or contributed to the accident
  • Determining the full financial impact of the accident
  • Building a strong case on your behalf
  • Negotiating with insurers to demand the full financial compensation you deserve
  • Standing up for your rights during negotiations and, if necessary, at trial

We’re committed to helping you pursue compensation following a devastating fatal truck accident. Our team is here to help you understand your legal rights and options, answer your questions, and provide the support you need throughout the legal process.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer After a Fatal Truck Accident?

Trying to pursue a claim for compensation after a fatal truck accident is a significant undertaking. You need the experience and knowledge only a skilled semi truck accident lawyer can offer. Truck accident cases are inherently complex due to the federal regulations that govern the trucking industry, and a knowledgeable truck accident attorney will be familiar with these regulations and understand how they may affect your claim.

Additionally, there may be multiple parties responsible for your loved one’s death. This means dealing with numerous powerful insurers and legal teams. Having an attorney in your corner significantly improves your likelihood of securing compensation for your loss. It also ensures all legal filings are completed in advance of the three-year deadline to file a wrongful death lawsuit in South Carolina.

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Fatal Truck Crash?

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit following your loved one’s fatal truck accident enables you to recover compensation for various losses and expenses. These include:

  • Medical Expenses – If the decedent received medical treatment before passing, you can recover compensation to cover these costs.
  • Funeral and Burial Costs – You can seek compensation for costs related to funeral services, burial expenses, and other end-of-life costs.
  • Loss of Future Earnings and Benefits – You can recover compensation for the loss of future benefits and earnings that you will miss out on due to the fatal accident.
  • Pain and Suffering – You can pursue compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before their passing.

In addition, you may be awarded exemplary damages, which punish the responsible party in cases involving reckless, willful, or malicious negligence or action. These damages are more challenging to recover. A knowledgeable semi truck accident attorney will present the strongest case on your behalf to demonstrate the responsible party’s recklessness, if applicable.

Determining the At-Fault Party

When pursuing a fatal semi truck accident lawsuit, identifying the parties liable involves thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the crash. Unlike other types of collisions, those involving semi trucks and large commercial vehicles commonly involve several parties sharing liability.

Some parties that may be liable for the truck accident include the following:

  • Truck Drivers – If their actions directly caused a truck accident, the truck driver may be held accountable for the resulting losses.
  • Trucking Companies – If the trucking company’s negligence contributes to a fatal truck accident, it may be liable for the resulting losses and expenses. Cases involving improper supervision or the hiring of unqualified truck drivers are common causes of legal action against trucking companies.
  • Manufacturers – If a defective part causes the accident, the vehicle or part manufacturer can be held responsible for any resulting losses.
  • Cargo Loading Companies – If a cargo loading company cuts corners while loading a trailer and causes a spillover or cargo shift, it may be liable for any resulting accidents.
  • Maintenance Companies – If inadequate inspections or work from maintenance companies are a factor in the fatal semi truck accident, the maintenance company may be responsible for the resulting accident.

Your attorney will review the evidence to identify and hold all liable parties accountable.

Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents

Several factors commonly contribute to fatal truck accidents. Some of the most common include:

  • Driver Fatigue – Although stringent laws enforced by the FMCSA govern how many hours truck drivers can remain on the road, there are many cases where drivers and trucking companies push these limits. Driving while fatigued can result in drivers drifting into other lanes and hitting other vehicles.
  • Driver Distractions – Truck drivers using cell phones and other devices, eating and drinking, carrying on conversations, daydreaming, or messing with dashboard components may become distracted and cause a collision.
  • Speeding – Large commercial vehicles take much longer than passenger vehicles to fully stop when braking at high speeds. The results can be deadly when drivers go above the posted speed limit.
  • Impairment – Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs may lose the ability to maintain control of their vehicles. Whether the drugs are illicit or over the counter, any impairment can lead to a fatal accident.
  • Improper Loading of Cargo – When cargo is unevenly loaded or above the maximum load allowance, it can cause the trailer to shift or overturn.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a fatal truck accident, seeking legal representation right away can ensure you can pursue full compensation for the loss of your loved one.

Contact Our Lancaster Truck Accident Lawyers

You don’t have to shoulder the burden of pursuing legal action after a fatal semi truck accident. David Blackwell brings decades of experience to each truck accident case he handles.

Our law firm is committed to providing individualized legal representation to meet every client’s specific needs. We understand that financial compensation will not bring back your loved one, but it can provide valuable closure and a sense of justice.

Contact our truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.