How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth in Summerville, SC?

Why Truck Accidents in Summerville Generate High Case Values

Summerville’s position along major trucking routes creates significant exposure to commercial vehicle accidents. The weight disparity between an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer and a 3,500-pound passenger car produces catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and fatalities.

Multiple Liable Parties Increase Your Recovery

Truck accident cases typically involve multiple defendants, each with substantial insurance coverage:

• Truck driver: CDL violations, HOS infractions, distracted driving, and impairment establish personal liability.
• Trucking company: Negligent hiring, inadequate training, vehicle maintenance failures, and pressure to violate regulations. Most carriers have $1M+ coverage.
• Cargo loader or shipper: Improperly loaded or overweight cargo causes rollovers and jack-knife accidents on Summerville roads.
• Truck or parts manufacturer: Defective brakes, tires, or steering systems create product liability claims.
• Maintenance contractors: Negligent repairs or inspections that contribute to mechanical failures.

FMCSA Regulations and Evidence

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations govern every aspect of commercial trucking. Violations serve as powerful evidence of negligence:

• Hours of Service violations: Drivers limited to 11 hours driving per 14-hour workday. ELDs record violations automatically.
• Maintenance violations: Regular brake, tire, and safety inspections required. Neglected maintenance establishes negligence.
• Drug and alcohol testing: Failed screenings and refused tests create strong liability evidence.
• Driver qualification violations: Undiagnosed medical conditions, expired CDLs, and inadequate training records.

Black Box and Electronic Evidence

Modern trucks contain Event Data Recorders capturing speed, braking, steering, and GPS data. Our attorneys immediately issue spoliation letters to preserve this critical evidence before trucking companies can destroy it.

Average Truck Accident Settlement Ranges

• Minor injuries: $50,000–$150,000
• Moderate injuries: $150,000–$400,000
• Severe injuries (permanent disability): $400,000–$1,000,000
• Catastrophic/fatality cases: $1,000,000–$5,000,000+

Summerville’s Commercial Vehicle Traffic

Summerville’s rapid growth has dramatically increased commercial truck traffic throughout Dorchester County:

• US-17A corridor: Primary commercial route through Summerville carrying heavy truck traffic to and from the Port of Charleston.
• Jedburg Road: Industrial corridor with distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities generating constant truck traffic.
• Dorchester Road: Commercial corridor with mixed truck and passenger vehicle traffic creating dangerous intersections.
• New development areas: Construction traffic from Nexton, Carnes Crossroads, and other developments adds heavy equipment and delivery trucks to residential roads.

These traffic patterns create daily accident risk for Summerville residents, particularly at congested intersections and construction zones.