843-636-TREY
Getting hit by a fully loaded tractor-trailer isn’t like a fender bender, and the claim that follows isn’t either. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck crash on I-85 or anywhere around Greenville, you’re probably dealing with serious injuries, growing medical bills, and a trucking company that already has people working to limit what it pays. Trey Harrell is a former Federal Prosecutor who isn’t afraid to take a case to trial, and he’ll walk you through every step. Remember, Trey helps. Call 843-636-8739 for a free consultation at his Greenville office.
How Is A Truck Accident Case Different From A Car Accident Claim?
A truck accident case is different because the injuries tend to be far more severe, more than one party can be held responsible, and federal safety regulations control how the truck and driver are supposed to operate. Those three differences change how the case has to be built from the very first day.
The injuries are usually more serious
A loaded semi can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, so the forces in a collision are enormous. Federal traffic safety data shows that in crashes involving large trucks, about 72% of the individuals killed are occupants of the other vehicle, not the truck. For the individuals in the smaller vehicle, that often means broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or worse. Higher stakes mean the insurer fights harder, and you need someone who will push back just as hard.
More than one party may be liable
In a typical car accident, there’s one other driver. Truck cases are rarely that simple. Depending on what went wrong, responsibility may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company that employed and scheduled him, a maintenance contractor that serviced the brakes, or the company that loaded the cargo. Trey investigates each of these possibilities because identifying every responsible party can determine whether there’s enough insurance coverage to cover your losses.
Federal trucking regulations come into play
Commercial trucks are governed by federal rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA hours-of-service rules in 49 CFR Part 395 generally bar a driver from driving after 11 hours of driving or after 14 consecutive hours on duty until the driver has been off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours. When a driver or company ignores these rules, that violation can become powerful evidence of negligence. Knowing where to look for it is part of what makes a truck case its own kind of case.
Fault in a truck crash is rarely obvious, and the other side won’t sort it out in your favor. Call 843-636-8739 for a free case evaluation.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents?
Most truck accidents trace back to preventable human and mechanical failures, not freak accidents. A handful of causes come up again and again in Greenville truck crash cases.
Driver fatigue is one of the biggest. Long-haul schedules and pressure to deliver on time push some drivers to keep going when they should be resting, which is exactly why the federal hours-of-service limits exist. When a driver or company breaks those limits, an exhausted person ends up steering 40 tons of steel.
Improper loading is another. Cargo that’s overloaded, unbalanced, or poorly secured can shift, trigger a rollover, or spill across the highway. The crew that loaded the trailer, not just the driver, may share the blame.
Poor maintenance rounds out the list. Brakes, tires, and steering parts on a commercial truck take a beating, and skipping inspections or repairs to save money can turn a truck into a hazard. Worn brakes on a fully loaded trailer are a recipe for disaster.
What Evidence Matters Most In A Truck Accident Investigation?
The most important evidence often sits inside the truck and the trucking company’s own files, including the truck’s black box data, the driver’s logs, and inspection and maintenance records. That evidence can disappear fast, which is why acting quickly matters so much.
The truck’s black box, or electronic control module, can record speed, braking, and how long the truck was running before the crash. The driver’s logs and electronic logging device show whether the hours-of-service rules were followed. Inspection and maintenance records reveal whether the truck was kept roadworthyroad-worthy.
Here’s the problem: the trucking company knows how valuable this evidence is, too. Many companies send their own investigators to the crash scene within hours, sometimes before the injured individuals even leave the hospital, to start building a defense. Some records can be legally discarded after a set period of time. The sooner Trey gets involved, the sooner he can demand that this evidence be preserved before it’s gone.
Evidence in a truck case can vanish within days. Call 843-636-8739 today so nothing critical is lost.
Why Choose Trey Harrell For Your Greenville Truck Accident Case?
Trey Harrell brings courtroom experience that trucking companies and their insurers take seriously. Before he represented injured individuals, Trey served as a Federal Prosecutor on a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force, where he tried cases against well-funded opponents. He’s comfortable in front of a jury and prepared to take your case all the way to trial if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement.
Just as important, Trey is patient and easy to reach. He gives each case personal attention, explains things in plain language, and handles the legal side so you can focus on healing. His Greenville office sits at 812 Laurens Road, Suite B, and is available by appointment. Your first consultation is free, and Trey will go over exactly how his fees work before you commit to anything. Remember, Trey helps.
What Can You Recover, And How Long Do You Have To File In South Carolina?
If someone else’s negligence caused your truck crash, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future care, property damage, and pain and suffering. In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, a deadline set by S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530. Miss it, and you can lose the right to recover anything.
Fault matters, too. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, you can still pursue compensation, though your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame. A truck accident lawsuit is typically filed in Greenville County, and every case is different, so no attorney can promise a particular outcome. What Trey can promise is a straight answer about where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenville Truck Accidents
How much does it cost to talk to a truck accident lawyer?
Your first consultation with Trey is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward. It costs nothing to have Trey review what happened, explain your options, and tell you honestly whether he can help. During that meeting, he’ll also explain exactly how his fees work, so there are no surprises.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in South Carolina?
In most South Carolina truck accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530. Waiting is still risky because the physical evidence and trucking records you need can disappear long before that deadline. The sooner Trey starts, the more he can protect.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You may still be able to recover. South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule lets you pursue compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, though your award is reduced by your share of the blame. Trucking companies love to shift blame onto injured drivers, which is exactly why having Trey investigate the crash matters.
What should I do after a truck accident in Greenville?
Receive medical care first, even if you feel fine, because serious injuries don’t always show up right away. Then, if you’re able, take photos, collect the names of any witnesses, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before you talk to a lawyer. Call 843-636-8739, and let Trey handle the rest.
Does truck accident litigation ever go to court?
Many cases settle without a trial, but some don’t, and the ones that go to court need a lawyer who’s ready for it. With his background as a Federal Prosecutor, Trey is comfortable in front of a jury and prepared to try your case if the insurer won’t be fair. That readiness often leads to better settlement offers, too.
Does Trey Harrell handle truck accident cases in Greenville?
Yes. Trey represents injured individuals in Greenville and throughout South Carolina. His Greenville office is located at 812 Laurens Road, Suite B, and is available by appointment. Call 843-636-8739 to schedule your free consultation.
Talk With A Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A serious truck crash can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the legal side alone. Trey Harrell will listen to your story, deal with the trucking company and its insurer, and pursue the compensation you need to get back on your feet for yourself and your family. Your consultation is free, and there’s no obligation. Remember, Trey helps. Call 843-636-8739 today to talk with a Greenville truck accident lawyer.
