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A truck accident can change everything in an instant. One moment you’re driving through Moncks Corner or along one of Berkeley County’s busy highways the next, you’re dealing with injuries far more serious than those from a typical car crash. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, you’re probably wondering what comes next and whether you have a case worth pursuing.
West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers has been serving the Lowcountry since 1945. Our Moncks Corner truck accident lawyer offer free consultations, and you don’t pay us unless we win. Call our Moncks Corner office at 843-483-8630 to talk about your truck accident injury today.
Why Truck Accident Injuries are More Severe
The size difference alone tells the story. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. By comparison, an average passenger vehicle weighs roughly 4,000 pounds, making it easy to see why collisions with trucks cause devastating damage.
The force of impact in a truck crash is far greater than in a car-on-car collision. That can mean deeper tissue damage, more complex fractures, and longer recovery times. Many people injured in truck accidents face weeks or months of treatment, multiple surgeries, and permanent changes in their quality of life.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious and life-altering of the common truck accident injuries. Even with a seatbelt on, the violent force of a truck collision can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull. The result can range from a concussion to severe brain damage.
TBI symptoms don’t always appear right away. Headaches, confusion, memory problems, and mood changes can develop days or even weeks after the crash. That’s why it’s critical to see a doctor immediately after any truck accident, even if you feel fine at the scene.
Spinal cord and back injuries
The spine is extremely vulnerable in high-impact collisions. Truck accidents frequently cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Back injuries often require extensive treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and long-term pain management. Some people never fully recover. The lifetime cost of treating a spinal cord injury can be staggering, and insurance companies won’t account for it when calculating your settlement offer.
Internal organ damage
Internal injuries are especially dangerous because they aren’t always visible. The blunt force of a truck collision can damage the liver, kidneys, spleen, or lungs. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if it isn’t detected and treated quickly.
If you were in a truck accident in Moncks Corner or anywhere in Berkeley County and you’re experiencing abdominal pain, dizziness, or unusual bruising, get to an emergency room right away.
Broken bones and crush injuries
The sheer weight and force involved in truck crashes regularly cause severe fractures. Legs, arms, ribs, hips, and the pelvis are all vulnerable. In some cases, parts of the vehicle collapse inward and cause crush injuries that can lead to amputation or permanent disability.
Broken bones from truck accidents are often compound or comminuted fractures (meaning the bone breaks into multiple pieces), which require surgical repair and extended recovery periods.
Soft-tissue injuries
Whiplash, sprains, and ligament tears might seem minor compared with a TBI or spinal cord injury, but they can cause lasting pain and limited mobility. Soft-tissue injuries are common in truck accidents because of the extreme forces involved, and they can take months to heal properly.
Insurance companies often try to minimize soft-tissue injuries. Don’t let them. These injuries can prevent you from working, sleeping, and living your normal life.
Psychological trauma after a truck accident
Not all truck accident injuries are physical. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and a persistent fear of driving are common after a serious crash. These psychological injuries are real, medical professionals document them, and they deserve compensation.
If you’re having nightmares, panic attacks, or difficulty returning to normal activities after a truck accident, talk to your doctor and talk to a truck accident injury lawyer about including these damages in your claim.
Dealing with any of these injuries? Call West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at 843-483-8630 for a free consultation. We handle truck accident cases throughout Moncks Corner, Berkeley County, and the Lowcountry.
How the Type of Injury Affects Your Settlement in South Carolina
The severity and long-term impact of your injuries play a major role in how much your truck accident claim is worth. Here’s what matters most.
Medical costs. More serious injuries lead to higher medical bills, both now and in the future. A TBI or spinal cord injury that requires years of treatment will carry a significantly higher value than a soft-tissue injury that heals in a few months.
Lost income. If your injuries prevent you from working (temporarily or permanently), that lost earning capacity becomes a key part of your claim.
Pain and suffering. South Carolina law allows you to recover compensation for physical pain and emotional distress. Catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis or amputation, typically result in much higher pain and suffering awards.
Long-term care needs. Injuries requiring ongoing treatment, assistive devices, or in-home care can dramatically increase the value of a claim.
It’s also important to understand that South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident. However, you must be less than 51% at fault, and your percentage of fault will reduce your award. A truck accident lawyer in SC who understands these rules can protect your claim from tactics designed to shift blame onto you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Injuries
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in South Carolina?
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, evidence disappears, and witnesses’ memories fade over time. The sooner you contact a truck accident injury lawyer, the stronger your case will be.
What if I were partially at fault for the truck accident?
South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence model with a 51% bar. As long as you were less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your percentage of fault will reduce your damages. Insurance companies frequently try to assign blame to injured people, which is exactly why having an attorney on your side matters.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
At West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fee unless we win. Your consultation is completely free, and you don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Receive Help From an Experienced Truck Accident Injury Lawyer in Moncks Corner
Truck accident injuries are serious, and they deserve serious legal representation. West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers is a family-owned firm serving the Lowcountry since 1945. Our attorneys handle truck accident cases in Moncks Corner and throughout Berkeley County, and we know what it takes to build strong claims against trucking companies and their insurers.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact our Moncks Corner office at 843-483-8630 for a free consultation. We also have offices in Beaufort and Summerville to serve clients across the Lowcountry. Your consultation costs nothing, and you won’t pay us unless we win.