What to Do After Being T-Boned by a Semi-Truck in South Carolina
In July of 2024, Fox News reported that a man had been T-boned by a semi-truck in Gaffney, South Carolina. The driver passed away from his injuries, marking yet another fatal truck accident. According to the authorities, the victim was trying to make a left-hand turn when he was struck by the commercial vehicle. He was initially entrapped inside his vehicle before being freed by first responders – but his injuries were unsurvivable. There was no further information about what caused the crash – or who might’ve been at fault. What can you do if you were injured in this type of South Carolina truck accident?
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident occurs when one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. At the moment of impact, the two vehicles form a “T” shape. However, this logic doesn’t really apply to semi-truck crashes, as the two vehicles are completely different sizes. When a semi-truck strikes the side of a sedan, the resulting shape looks almost nothing like a “T.”
The vehicle struck at its side generally suffers the brunt of the impact. Any occupants within are thrown to one side, and the entire vehicle may roll over. However, this logic only applies to impacts between smaller road vehicles – and not semi-truck accidents. When a semi-truck strikes the side of a smaller sedan, the results are catastrophic. Instead of simply rolling over, the smaller vehicle may be completely obliterated.
Conversely, when a smaller vehicle impacts a semi-truck at its side, it may barely cause a scratch. Since a semi-truck is much heavier and larger than most road vehicles, it can shrug off these impacts. Worse still, the smaller sedan will likely suffer the brunt of the impact. The worst of these accidents involves a phenomenon called “underriding.” In these accidents, smaller sedans slip underneath the trailers – shearing away their roofs and causing potential decapitation.
Steps After a Semi-Truck T-Bone Accident
After a semi-truck T-bone accident, your first step should be to seek effective medical treatment. With medical records that detail the specifics of your injuries, it should be easy to recover compensation. Next, get in touch with an experienced truck accident lawyer in South Carolina. These legal professionals can help you prove that the trucker caused your crash. By proving negligence, you can cover all of your various damages – including medical costs, missed wages, and emotional distress. You should also get started relatively quickly, as the statute of limitations could prevent legal action if you wait too long.
Find an Experienced Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in South Carolina
If you’ve been searching for an experienced car accident lawyer in Charleston, look no further than Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC. We know how serious T-bone accidents can be – especially if you were struck by a semi-truck. If you’re serious about pursuing the compensation you deserve, reach out at your earliest convenience. An injury claim may be possible – and recovering damages may be easier than you realize.
Sources:
foxcarolina.com/2024/07/25/gaffney-man-dies-after-truck-t-boned-by-tractor-trailer/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217542/
