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Large commercial trucks, like 18-wheelers, have many blind spots or “no-zones” surrounding their vehicles. If you are in one of these zones, truckers may not be able to see you. This makes it difficult to react and move out of the way of motorists driving near them.
Attorneys familiar with blind spot accidents in Bluffton have the knowledge and resources to help you build a case against the parties responsible for your crash. A skilled truck wreck attorney could work toward getting you the compensation you need.
Common Blind Spots for Tractor-Trailers
The length and height of 18-wheelers and semis create areas where the operator cannot see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles. These “no-zones” exist on all four sides of a truck—in front of the cab, behind the trailer, and on both sides of the vehicle extending out from below the side view mirrors on each cab door.
Acknowledging trucks’ blind spots can go a long way in avoiding collisions. Drivers must be properly trained so that they have the tools to anticipate and appropriately react when someone is in one of these zones. However, when an accident does happen, injured parties should seek experienced legal counsel to increase their chances of receiving appropriate compensation in a blind spot truck wreck case.
Potential Injuries Resulting from a Truck Wreck in Bluffton
When a tractor-trailer collides with a car, the passengers of the smaller vehicle often suffer the most severe consequences. For example, a motorist who is unable to move out of the way of the truck could slide under the trailer becoming entangled in the undercarriage.
Passengers of these vehicles might sustain an array of serious, life-altering injuries including:
- Bruises
- Deep lacerations
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord damage
- Loss of limbs
- Internal organ damage
Victims suffering severe injures due to an obstructed vision accident may be able to work with a truck accident attorney to recover compensation.
Recovering Monetary Damages After an Obstructed Vision Accident
Making a healthy recovery should be the top priority for anyone who has been injured in a blind spot truck accident. However, the extensive medical care that may be needed could place a large financial burden on victims and their family members may experience.
Under South Carolina Code Ann. § 15-1-300, injured parties may receive compensatory damages without limitation, so long as their contribution to the accident does not exceed 50 percent. These economic and non-economic damages may cover losses such as:
- Cost of medical treatment
- Expenses related to therapy
- Cost of home health aides
- Vehicle damage
- Disfigurement
- Lost and unearned future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If the accident results in fatal injuries, the surviving family members of the victim may sue for wrongful death and seek restitution for funeral expenses, lost earning potential, and loss of society.
Settling with Insurance Companies
Taking a case to trial involves can be a lengthy process. For this reason, many injury claims settle outside of court. It is important to take care when reviewing settlement offers, as the first proposal rarely accounts for all of the victim’s damages.
Seasoned attorneys have experience handling insurance companies, and could prevent injured parties from accepting a low settlement offer. Retaining a lawyer for a blind spot truck wreck claim could be beneficial regardless of whether the case goes to trial.
An Attorney Could Help You Deal with Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Bluffton
The legal process may seem complex, but you do not have to go through it alone. Victims of blind spot truck accidents in Bluffton may be able to obtain compensation with the help of effective legal counsel. Please reach out to Schiller & Hamilton to learn how our team could represent your legal interests.