When you have been hurt in a truck accident the law only gives you a limited amount of time to take legal action, so it is crucial you speak with a semi accident attorney as soon as possible. If you wait too long to bring suit against the responsible party, the court may not allow you to recover any compensation. This bar to recovery would exist even if your claim is otherwise valid.
Once your wreck has occurred, the statute of limitations countdown begins. The statute of limitations in South Carolina is three years. There are a few events that stop the statute of limitations. For example, even receiving treatment or being unable to work will not usually pause the statute of limitations.
Injuries in Semi-Truck Collisions Can Be Severe
In 2009, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported over 2200 collisions involving semi-trucks. This included approximately 80 fatal collisions and over 1,000 collisions resulting in injuries.
Statistics are not available to show the frequency of certain injuries in truck crashes. But it is not an overstatement to say that injuries sustained in truck accidents can be more severe than in other motor vehicle accidents. Potential injuries could include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head injuries
- Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
- Extensive broken bones and internal organ damage
Just as the injuries sustained may be extensive and severe, the medical treatment necessary to fully recover can also be extensive; this is where a semi accident attorney can help.
The Statute of Limitations and Severe Injuries
Few things can pause or stop the statute of limitations once it starts after a crash. But physical or mental incapacity can be one of those events that keeps the statute of limitations from running.
A traumatic brain injury may leave you or your loved one in a coma, or physical injuries may be so extensive that you cannot leave the hospital right away.
In either event, the law recognizes that you cannot be expected to exercise your legal rights if you are not conscious. Nor can you consult with an attorney effectively or appear in court if you are mentally incapacitated or confined to a hospital bed.
Thus, in such situations, the law may allow you to file a truck accident claim with a semi accident attorney even though more than three years have passed. This is not automatic, though. The trucking company, truck driver, and others will attempt to invoke the statute of limitations to prevent your claim from proceeding.
The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Semi Accident Attorney
This situation illustrates how crucial it can be to get legal counsel from a knowledgeable and dedicated semi accident attorney. An attorney who takes the time to understand your situation, the injuries you have sustained, and the limitations of your injuries may effectively advocate for you and your truck accident claim.
Lowcountry Law, LLC offers trucking accident victims and their loved ones a free initial consultation at either our Myrtle Beach or Mount Pleasant office. We will invest in learning the details of your situation and are committed to providing accurate, helpful advice and professional legal representation.
