Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer

HOFFMAN LAW FIRM

Sharing the road with semi-trucks is an inevitable part of driving on South Carolina’s highways and interstates. Trucking accidents often have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences for the drivers involved, and typically lead to complex legal cases. An experienced South Carolina trucking accident lawyer knows this fact too well, so that’s why our team is here to handle your case, so you can focus on recovery.

If you are hurt in a trucking accident in Charleston, Georgetown, or anywhere else in South Carolina, Hoffman Law Firm has the experience necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve. We will handle the trucking company and their insurance companies on your behalf, so you won’t get taken advantage of while you’re trying to heal.

South Carolina ranks #1 on the list of most deadly highways per mile driven in the entire United States. According to the 2019 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration report, nearly 5,000 people are killed each year in the United States due to collisions with large commercial vehicles. What’s most alarming is that these numbers have been on the rise for the last decade.

The frequency of truck accidents makes having an experienced South Carolina trucking accident lawyers on your side essential. Our Charleston lawyers have a thorough understanding of South Carolina law and its specific effects on each case – which is why it’s crucial to contact Hoffman Law Firm before speaking to an insurance adjuster. The trucking company’s insurance company has its bottom line in mind, but our dedicated trucking accident attorneys keep your future as their focus. Just ask the clients we have served!

Case Results

$1,950,000

RECOVERED IN TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASE

Recovered for a man who struck a poorly lit commercial trailer.

$1,000,000

RECOVERED IN TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASE

Recovered for a woman rear-ended by a tractor trailer. 

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What to Do After a South Carolina Trucking Accident

Truck accidents are often more severe than car accidents, leaving those involved unsure about what comes next. Our Charleston truck accident lawyers understand that crash victims often feel overwhelmed, but getting informed can help.

If you are involved in a trucking accident, call 911 immediately – especially if there are injuries involved. Even if no one appears to be hurt, call the police to report the accident. It’s also a good idea to move your vehicle out of the road if you can and turn on your hazard lights to increase visibility. Use reflective cones if you have them. Stand far away from the road and wait for help to arrive.

Once emergency responders arrive, get the medical care you need. Even if you do not require medical attention at the accident scene, be sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible. What seems like a minor ache could hint at a serious injury, so it’s important to get checked out as soon as possible.

If possible, document the driver’s contact information, insurance details and driver’s license number. Record the name and contact information of the truck company/driver’s employer along with the truck’s license plate number and other identifying information. These details will help later on as your Charleston truck accident attorney begins to build your case. Taking photos of the accident scene, including the damage to your vehicle, is also advised.

Before speaking to the insurance company, you should search for a trucking accident lawyer near me at Hoffman Law Firm in Charleston. Because the insurance company is not on your side, it’s best to let your attorney communicate with them on your behalf. This can help ensure that nothing you say is used against you.

Other Auto Accidents
The Importance of Having a South Carolina Trucking Accident Attorney

Here’s the good news for victims of trucking accidents: An experienced truck accident lawyer can not only navigate around these problems but may be able to use them to your advantage.

At Hoffman Law Firm, our trucking accident lawyers and staff have handled trucking accident cases from beginning to end in the Charleston area and other parts of South Carolina, all the way through trial – although most settle out of court.

In our experience, victims of truck collisions will not receive full compensation unless their attorneys have investigated thoroughly and prepared a strategic plan. Simply put, you have to give the insurance company a reason to want to settle the case, and presenting the basic facts is usually not enough.

We believe what makes us different is our commitment to providing quality communication. Most of our Charleston attorneys worked for big firms before joining forces at Hoffman Law Firm. In our previous positions, clients would often have their initial meeting with one attorney, then have their file transferred to another, then another.

But here at Hoffman Law Firm, the lawyer you meet with is the lawyer that will see your case through to the end. Clients that call and ask to speak to their attorney are never pushed off to a paralegal. Out-of-state, national law firms are flocking to Charleston, making all sorts of claims about their success. None of them claim to know their clients personally, while our team knows each one of our clients – and they know us.

Our Charleston truck accident law firm of skilled injury attorneys are proud to offer free consultations, so contact us to schedule yours today!

Common Causes of South Carolina Trucking Accidents

South Carolina trucking accident attorneys at Hoffman Law Firm have handled a wide variety of accidents involving large trucks. While no two accidents are the same, we have identified some common causes of tractor trailer accidents:

  • Poor hiring practices
    Many trucking companies hire cheap, unqualified drivers to save money.
  • Driver fatigue
    Forcing drivers to stay on the road even though the rules require them to stop and rest can have devastating results.
  • Inadequate training
    While truck drivers are required to meet certain standards, some companies relax the rules to get new drivers on the road – often before they have completed the necessary training hours.
  • Improper truck maintenance or cargo loading
    To save time and money, some truckers do not keep their tractor trailers in top condition. Improper loading can also result in a South Carolina truck accident.
  • Failure to enforce safety rules
    When safety rules prohibiting cell phone use or other forms of distracted driving are not enforced and the company tries to cover it up, dealing with their insurance companies becomes even more difficult.
  • Alcohol/drug use
    Impaired driving is all too common, risking the lives of truck drivers and those sharing the road with them.
  • Speeding or overtaking
    When weather or other circumstances put truck drivers behind schedule, they may speed or drive recklessly to make up the lost time.
TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER NEAR ME

Our Charleston law firm of skilled truck accident lawyers are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!

Obtaining Compensation After a Charleston Truck Accident

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, it’s crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Attempting to handle your case on your own could have disastrous effects, not only reducing the compensation you receive but risking your family’s future.

Victims of South Carolina truck accidents may be entitled to the following compensation:

  • Medical expenses (past and future – including surgery, medication, physical therapy, home modifications, etc.)
  • Lost wages
  • Disability benefits/lost earning potential (if you are unable to return to work)
  • Property damage
  • Non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of the enjoyment of life, etc.)

In some situations, truck companies can be assessed separate punitive or punishment damages when they show a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of other drivers on the road.

Our Charleston truck accident law firm will see to it you receive all the compensation for damages from your truck accident.

State And Federal Trucking Regulations for Truck Accident Safety

Truck companies in South Carolina are heavily regulated by our state and federal government because of the life-threatening injuries that can occur from a collision. But too often, trucking accident attorneys take a quick look at the truck accident, determine fault, and proceed as if the collision occurred between two regular vehicles.

This is a huge mistake that undermines not only the value of the case, but also the chance to improve the way a dangerous trucking company operates.

Trucking companies are required to maintain very high levels of insurance, but insurance carriers for trucking companies in Charleston, SC and across South Carolina can be the most difficult to deal with. Truck drivers who cause serious collisions may be pressured by their supervisors to tell a different story than what actually happened.

Irresponsible trucking companies may also try to hide the fact that the trucking accident’s true cause may have been negligent hiring, training, or supervision.

Having experienced trucking accident attorneys like our Charleston law firm will be needed to protect you from these tactics, contact Hoffman Law Firm if you suffer a car crash with a commercial truck.

How to File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit

After your trucking accident, do not speak to insurance company adjusters or investigators without legal advice. Choose a Charleston truck accident attorney with proven experience in accident cases in Charleston, SC and across the state – one who truly understands that your family’s future and wellbeing are on the line.

At Hoffman Law Firm, we believe that dangerous trucking companies must be held accountable. Working to ensure they take full responsibility for the harm caused can not only make a difference in the victim’s life but can also force much-needed changes in the trucking company’s overall operations.

We repeatedly hear from our clients that one of their primary motivators for pursuing their legal claim is to try and prevent trucking accidents from happening to others. At Hoffman Law Firm, that’s our goal too.

Truck Accident Statistics in South Carolina and the Charleston Area

Charleston Area and High-Risk Roads

Charleston County Ranking

  • Charleston County is almost always listed among the top five counties in South Carolina for truck-related crashes.

High-Risk Roads

  • Interstate 26 is considered a high-risk road for truck accidents, especially between Charleston and Columbia.
  • Roads near the Port of Charleston and Interstate 95 also see more truck crashes because of heavy freight traffic.

South Carolina Statewide Truck Accident Statistics

Total Crashes Involving Large Trucks

  • South Carolina had 3,474 commercial motor vehicle crashes in 2023. This was slightly higher than 2022, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
  • In 2023, there were 6,048 crashes involving tractor-trailers, which made up about 4 percent of all crashes in the state.

Fatal and Injury Crashes

  • In 2023, commercial motor vehicle crashes included 124 fatal crashes and 3,350 nonfatal crashes.
  • In 2022, there were 81 fatal tractor-trailer crashes, which was fewer than in 2021, as reported by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • From 2021 to 2023, large trucks were involved in about 3,000 crashes each year. These crashes caused about 1,800 injuries each year.

Fatal Crash Risk

Economic Impact

  • In 2023, fatal and serious crashes in the state caused an estimated $30.9 billion in total harm. This included about $7.7 billion in economic losses.

Understand that collisions with trucks are common and can be very serious.

In 2023, most people killed in large-truck crashes nationwide were occupants of other vehicles. Truck occupants made up a smaller share, and pedestrians and cyclists made up the rest. Most fatal and nonfatal large-truck crashes in the United States happen on weekdays. 

So drive safely, and when you are injured in South Carolina, simply contact Hoffman Law Firm. We’re your local Charleston truck accident law firm that proudly serves our neighbors here in the Lowcountry.

We also work on a contingency basis, so you only pay when we win. Let’s begin with a free case review today.

TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER NEAR ME

Our Charleston law firm of skilled truck accident lawyers are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!

What People Are Saying About Us

The service and staff of Hoffman law firm was exceptionally professional. Staff lovingness and kindness was greatly appreciated. 

-Vermelle

They were very helpful, compassionate, and nice. I was at ease during the process of getting help with them. I would recommend them to anyone who wants honesty and professional lawyers. 

-Latvia

Hoffman Law Firm worked hard behind the scenes and completely surpassed our expectations. We will recommend them to our friends and family! 

-Marty

Meet Your Attorneys

Our experienced personal injury team is proud to serve the Lowcountry, offering trusted legal representation right here at home. Committed to securing the compensation our friends and neighbors deserve, our personal injury attorneys will walk beside you each step of the way. 

From filing your claim to communicating with the insurance company, we handle your entire claim for you. Get in touch for trusted legal advice and schedule your free consultation today!

Attorney David Hoffman built Hoffman Law Firm from the ground up, relying solely on his own legal skills, tireless work ethic and natural people skills to gain clients' trust and establish a track record of success. After graduating from The Citadel in 1991, David received his law degree from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1997.

Attorney
David L.
Hoffman

Attorney Matt Cook became part of the Hoffman Law team after practicing law in the Midlands for more than a decade. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and always knew he eventually wanted to return to the Lowcountry, where he was raised. Matt appreciates the Hoffman Law philosophy because the attorneys share his values including communication, respect, compassion, and availability to clients.

Attorney
Matthew R.
Cook

From her earliest days in law school, Attorney Amanda Stearns knew she wanted to be a trial lawyer. Determined to finish law school quickly so that she could pursue her dream of fighting for justice, Amanda graduated a semester early from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Attorney
Amanda R.
Stearns

Awards & Associations
Hoffman Law Firm Accepting Attorney Referrals

 Our personal injury law firm welcomes referrals for cases that arise anywhere in the state of South Carolina. We are always proud to assist deserving clients offered by a fellow attorney, so contact us today!

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Wrongful
Death

Traumatic
Brain Injury

Spinal Cord
Injury

Car
Accident

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