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Truck accidents are among the most devastating collisions on South Carolina roads. The size and weight of an 18-wheeler or commercial truck can cause catastrophic injuries; or worse in seconds.
If you or someone you love was injured in a truck crash in Orangeburg County, you deserve justice and full financial recovery. At Ted Law Firm, our Orangeburg truck accident lawyers fight back against trucking companies, insurers, and their lawyers to protect your rights.
We represent clients across Orangeburg, Santee, Elloree, Bowman, and nearby communities, handling cases involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles, and freight carriers.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Common in Orangeburg
Orangeburg sits at the crossroads of major freight routes connecting Charleston’s ports to Columbia’s distribution centers. Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel I-26, I-95, US-301, and US-178 corridors that have seen a sharp rise in collisions over the past five years.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), Orangeburg County ranks among the top ten counties for large truck accidents in the state.
These crashes often involve:
- Long-haul 18-wheelers and semis
- Construction vehicles and dump trucks
- Logging and agricultural transport trucks
- Delivery vans and commercial fleets
When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, innocent people pay the price.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Orangeburg
Our attorneys investigate every detail to find what really caused your crash. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue and Hours-of-Service violations (driving too long without rest)
- Distracted driving (cell phones, GPS, in-cab systems)
- Speeding or unsafe lane changes
- Improper loading or shifting cargo
- Poor truck maintenance or brake failure
- Defective tires or mechanical parts
- Drug or alcohol use
- Negligent hiring or inadequate driver training
We collect black-box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness statements to prove exactly who was at fault.
Federal Trucking Regulations (FMCSA)
Truck drivers and companies must follow strict federal safety rules under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Unfortunately, many ignore them.
Our team regularly uncovers violations such as:
- Hours-of-Service violations (drivers exceeding rest limits)
- Logbook falsification
- Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
- Failure to inspect or maintain brakes and tires
- Hiring unqualified or unlicensed drivers
We use these violations to build powerful negligence claims against carriers and their insurers.
Who Can Be Held Liable
Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. Depending on the cause of your crash, liable parties may include:
- The truck driver (negligent driving, fatigue, distraction)
- The trucking company (failure to train or monitor)
- The cargo loading company (improper loading or weight distribution)
- The maintenance contractor (poor inspections or faulty repairs)
- The truck or parts manufacturer (brake, tire, or design defects)
- A broker or logistics company (negligent contracting or scheduling)
Our lawyers identify every possible defendant and pursue all available insurance policies to maximize your recovery.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck crashes often lead to catastrophic or permanent injuries, including:
- Whiplash and soft tissue damage
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Emotional trauma and post-accident anxiety
- Wrongful death in fatal crashes
We work with medical experts and life-care planners to calculate the full cost of your injuries not just for today, but for the years ahead.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Property damage (vehicle and personal property)
- Wrongful death and funeral costs (for families)
- Punitive damages for gross negligence or reckless behavior
We negotiate aggressively, and if the trucking company won’t pay fairly, we’re prepared to take them to court.
Understanding South Carolina’s Comparative Negligence Rule
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence law, which allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the crash.
Our team ensures insurers and defense lawyers don’t inflate your fault to minimize payouts.
South Carolina’s Statute of Limitations
Under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of your truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Important: Trucking companies move fast to hide evidence. They may repair the vehicle, delete data, or contact witnesses. Call us immediately so we can issue preservation letters and secure crucial proof before it’s gone.
Why Choose Ted Law Firm
- Decades of combined experience in trucking litigation and South Carolina law
- Proven track record against major trucking companies and insurers
- In-depth knowledge of Orangeburg County courts and juries
- Access to experts in accident reconstruction, trucking safety, and economics
- No fees unless we win — guaranteed
- 24/7 availability to protect your case from day one
When a trucking company’s negligence shatters your life, we’ll help you rebuild it with justice, compassion, and relentless advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can I sue after a truck accident in Orangeburg?
You can bring claims against the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance provider, or any third party whose negligence caused the crash.
2. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in South Carolina?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident, but acting quickly protects your evidence and strengthens your case.
3. What evidence do you use to prove fault?
We gather police reports, black-box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and eyewitness testimony to build your case.
4. What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover damages if you were less than 51% responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
5. How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique. Value depends on injury severity, fault, medical costs, and long-term impact. We provide detailed estimates during your free consultation.
6. How much does it cost to hire a Ted Law Firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we win.
7. What if a loved one died in a truck crash?
Our firm represents families in wrongful death claims to recover financial and emotional losses.
8. Are trucking companies required to carry insurance?
Yes , federal law requires minimum liability coverage, but most carry multi-million-dollar policies. We pursue every available source of compensation.
Talk to an Orangeburg Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Trucking companies have teams of lawyers ready to protect their profits. You need one ready to protect your future.
We serve clients throughout Orangeburg County, Bowman, Santee, Elloree, and all surrounding areas. No fees unless we win. No risks, just results. At Ted Law Firm, we don’t back down from trucking corporations, we hold them accountable.
