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North Charleston Truck Accident Lawyers
Helping victims of semi-truck & 18 wheeler accidents in North Charleston, SC
Tractor-trailers, semis, 18-wheelers, and big rigs deliver products to North Charleston every day. The truck drivers use I-26, I-526, and other South Carolina interstate, state, and local roads. When a truck collides with another car, spills its cargo, jackknifes, or crashes in any way, the consequences can be catastrophic. Many truck accident victims die. Many victims suffer permanent, life-changing injuries. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we’re skilled at holding truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for the accidents they cause. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers have obtained numerous strong judgments and settlements for our personal injury clients. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve today.
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How Can We Help?
- What types of truck accident cases do you handle in North Charleston?
- Why do truck accidents happen in North Charleston?
- How dangerous are truck accidents?
- What types of injuries do North Charleston truck accident victims suffer?
- Who is liable for truck accidents?
- How do you fight for truck accident victims in North Charleston?
- How much is my truck accident claim worth in South Carolina?
- Our results for South Carolina truck accident victims
- How much time do I have to file my truck accident claim?
- Do you have a North Charleston truck accident lawyer near me?
What types of truck accident cases do you handle in North Charleston?
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we handle truck accidents involving all types of trucks, from large tractor-trailers and big rigs to flatbed trucks and delivery trucks. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers handle:
- Rollover accidents. This type of truck accident can occur when a truck speeds through a curve too rapidly or the truck is carrying too much weight — causing the truck to roll onto its roof.
Jackknife accidents. In this type of collision, the trailer and tractor travel in different directions, causing the trailer to stop at a sharp angle. - Cargo accidents. Cargo that isn’t fully secured can spill out onto the highway, causing havoc for any drivers near the spill. Cargo that moves while the truck is traveling can cause the driver to lose control of the truck.
- Underride accidents. In this type of crash, a small car slides underneath a large truck, crushing the occupants in the car. This accident can occur when a small car rear-ends a large truck.
- Override accidents. Here, a large truck drives over a smaller vehicle.
- Wide-turn collisions. These truck crashes occur because large trucks need a lot of room to maneuver through a turn. Some trucks may need to occupy more than one lane when turning.
- Tire blowouts. Just one tire blowout can cause a truck driver to lose control. 18-wheelers have 18 tires that may blow out.
- Other types of truck accidents that are also common to other vehicles. These accidents include head-on collision, broadsides, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, merging and passing collisions, single-vehicle accidents, and multiple-vehicle accidents.
Why do truck accidents happen in North Charleston?
Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, federal traffic officials, and witnesses to determine how your accident happened. We also thoroughly question everyone involved in the accident.
Some of the many different causes of truck accidents in South Carolina include:
- Speeding. The need to make a delivery on schedule never justifies speeding to get to a destination. Truck drivers who speed need more time and distance to stop than non-speeding drivers.
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Truck drivers should never drink and drive or use drugs and drive.
- Driving while distracted. Texting, using a smartphone, or looking at a GPS takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and mind off of traffic. Unfocused drivers are dangerous drivers.
- Blind spot accidents. Most trucks have dangerous blind spots that make it difficult to see in the rear and sides of the trucks. Blind spots can even make it hard to see directly in front of the truck. Truck drivers should use extra caution when turning, passing, merging, or shifting lanes for any reason. Drivers should also use the latest camera and video technology.
- Backing out accidents. Truck drivers who back out into traffic should use a spotter or be extra cautious.
- Driving while fatigued. This danger is so well-known that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the Hours of Service of commercial truck drivers.
- Driving through red lights and other traffic violations. Truck drivers are required to know the traffic laws of each state they drive in, including South Carolina.
- Improper truck maintenance and repairs. Trucks should be inspected on a regular basis for equipment problems, and repaired or immediately taken off the road. The tires, cargo, and other parts of the truck need to be checked before each road trip.
- Lack of education. All commercial truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license. Truck drivers and trucking companies should ensure the driver understands how to drive their specific type of truck.
Other causes of North Charleston truck accidents include driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions, or defective truck parts.
How dangerous are truck accidents?
When a car, a motorcycle, a pedestrian, or a bicycle rider is struck by any type of truck, the smaller vehicles will absorb most of the impact.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most victims of truck accidents are the drivers and passengers in cars. Trucks outweigh cars by up to 30-to-1. Tractor-trailers that are loaded need 20%-40% more stopping distance to stop than cars. The distance to stop safely increases when roads are wet. The IIHS states that surveys show many truck drivers drive more than the FMCSA Hours of Service limits.
The IIHS, based on data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System confirms that 4,764 people died in 2022 in large truck wrecks. Nearly two-thirds of the fatal victims were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles. Seventeen percent were occupants of trucks. Sixteen percent were motorcycle riders, bicycle riders, and pedestrians.
In South Carolina, in 2021, there were 87 fatal collisions (killing 99 people) involving a tractor-trailer. 1,265 tractor-trailer collisions caused injuries. Of these, 122 of these injuries were serious. Another 1,657 people were injured.
What types of injuries do North Charleston truck accident victims suffer?
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we work with your doctors and our own network of physicians to verify what injuries you have, what treatments you need, the cost of your medical care, and every way your injuries are making every day of your life more difficult.
We handle all types of catastrophic, permanent, and serious truck accident injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), head trauma, and concussions. TBIs can cause cognitive disabilities in addition to physical pain and emotional trauma. Severe TBI victims may require a lifetime of medical care. TBIs can occur when a passenger's head strikes the dashboard, a hard object, or another person. TBIs can also be caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head.
- Spinal cord injuries including paralysis and herniated discs. Some victims may never walk again. Many spinal cord injury victims live with chronic and severe pain.
- Broken bones/fractures. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers represent victims with simple, complex, compound, and multiple fractures. Generally, orthopedists treat this type of injury. Surgery may be required. Many, but not all, broken bones heal with time.
- Burn injuries. We represent accident victims who have third-degree burns that may require surgery including skin grafts and plastic surgery. Many victims often require psychological counseling especially if the burns are visible to other people.
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb. Amputees may be able to use prosthetic devices depending on the location of the amputation. Victims often require psychological counseling.
- Internal bleeding and internal organ damage. Damage to lungs, kidneys, spleen, and other body parts may be fatal.
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain. Many truck accident victims with these injuries require continual physical and occupational therapy.
- Other injuries include:
- Nerve damage, muscle damage, and whiplash
- Tissue, tendon, and ligament damage
- Visions or hearing loss
- Scarring and disfigurement
Who is liable for truck accidents?
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we file truck accident lawsuits against everyone responsible for your injuries or the tragic death of a loved one. The defendants in truck accident cases may include:
- The truck driver
- The employer of the truck driver
- The owner of the truck – if different than the driver
- The trucking companies involved in the shipment, including the truck broker who arranges the shipment
- The loading companies
- A manufacturer of defective truck parts
- Truck maintenance and repair companies
- The South Carolina Department of Transportation and other government agencies and entities
- A seller of alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated when served and who caused your accident due to their intoxication.
Other defendants, such as other drivers, may also be liable.
How do you fight for truck accident victims in North Charleston?
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we’ve been passionate advocates for truck accident victims for more than 20 years. We’re skilled at handling every phase of your case, including:
- Investigating how the truck accident happened. The investigators will examine the accident site, speak with witnesses, look at the damaged vehicles, and inquire of any nearby businesses or residences whether there are any photographs or videos of the accident
- Speaking with the police and any officials who investigated the accident
- Determining who is responsible
- Conducting discovery (oral and written questions) of everyone who is a defendant and everyone with information about your case
- Reviewing your medical prognosis and diagnosis with your doctors
- Reviewing any black boxes and electronic logs that contain important data about the delivery of the shipments
- Understanding which agencies and which regulations govern truck driving in South Carolina – and reviewing whether the truck driver and trucking companies were in compliance
- Preparing a formal demand letter for the insurance company(companies) to review
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company(companies)
- Arguing your case before a judge and jury if your claim cannot be settled
We know how to handle North Charleston truck accident lawsuits that involve multiple victims and multiple defendants, whether in state or federal courts.
We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we only receive compensation if your case settles or there is a judgment in your favor.
How much is my truck accident claim worth in South Carolina?
Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages, including:
- All your current and future medical bills. These include emergency transport, ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational therapy, all other types of rehabilitative care, psychological counseling, medications, assistive devices, and assistive technology.
- All your income losses and lost benefits. These include your lost wages and income to date, and all your income losses for as long as you can’t work.
- Pain and suffering. We demand compensation for all your aches, pains, anxiety, and depression – for every day you suffer.
- Property loss. This amount includes the value of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Scarring and disfigurement. We demand compensation for the emotional trauma of living with scars and disfigurement.
- Loss of consortium. If you and your spouse cannot enjoy marital relations.
- Any other financial or personal damages. For example, the loss of bodily function.
If a loved one in your family dies, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit. In this type of claim, we demand damages for:
- The funeral and burial costs
- Any outstanding medical expenses for your loved one’s medical care prior to death
- The loss of financial income included the loss of an inheritance that your loved one would have provided each family member
- The loss of companionship, love, and guidance your loved one would have provided each family member
- The pain and suffering of the surviving family members
We often file a survival action along with the wrongful death action. The survival action compensates the estate for any outstanding medical bills of your loved one before they passed away, and any loved one’s pain and suffering.
Our results for South Carolina truck accident victims
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, our record of results includes the following:
- $19 million. We obtained a settlement for $19 million for the family of a loved one who died in a head-on crash with a truck.
- $4.25 million. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers obtained $4.25 million in a wrongful death case for the family of a young child who died when a tractor-trailer passed a school bus.
- $2.3 million. Our lawyers obtained this amount for the estate of a client who was struck by a commercial truck driver who ran a stop sign.
- $2.065 million. Our attorneys obtained more than $2 million in a product liability claim by a truck driver against Mack Trucks, Inc. due to a defective deck plate on a tractor-trailer.
How much time do I have to file my truck accident claim?
If you’re in a truck accident in South Carolina, you should contact us immediately. While you may have up to three years to formally file your claim, you don’t want to wait. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers need to investigate the truck crash while everyone’s memory is fresh and evidence is available . We want to ensure you are seeing the doctors you need to see. We need to make sure the defendants and their insurance companies are notified.
Do you have a North Charleston truck accident lawyer near me?
We meet North Charleston truck accident victims and families at our locations throughout South Carolina. These locations include:
We also serve clients throughout the State of South Carolina in all 46 counties, including Sumter, Anderson, Orangeburg, Hilton Head, Aiken, and Spartanburg.
If you’re too injured or ill to come to our office, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a healthcare facility such as a hospital. We also consult with clients by phone and through online conferences.
We can answer all your questions and guide you calmly and clearly through each phase of the claims process.
Get help from our respected North Charleston truck accident lawyers now
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we understand how anxious and frightened you are. Cars are no match for big trucks. Many truck accidents are fatal or cause very serious injuries. Our lawyers are known for our strong advocacy and our record of successful recoveries. We’ve been fighting for accident victims for more than 20 years. Our North Charleston truck accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Demand justice. Call us at or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.