Greenville Underride Truck Accident Lawyer

Underride truck accidents cause some of the most catastrophic injuries on South Carolina roads. Underride crashes can leave victims facing severe pain, permanent disabilities, extensive medical bills, and significant emotional distress. In some cases, underride truck accidents prove fatal.

The Greenville underride truck accident lawyers at The Melonakos Law Firm understand the devastating impact of commercial motor vehicle crashes on victims and their families. We stand ready to seek justice and full compensation on your behalf.

Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation.

What Are Underride Truck Accidents and Why Are They So Dangerous?

Underride truck accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the side or rear of a large commercial truck or trailer, and the smaller vehicle goes partially under the truck or trailer’s structure. Underride accidents most commonly involve the side or rear of a tractor-trailer.

Due to the height difference between a commercial truck or trailer and a standard passenger vehicle, safety features on the passenger vehicle often prove ineffective, and injuries are frequently devastating.

Why Underride Crashes Cause Severe Injuries

Underride accidents are among the deadliest types of traffic collisions because, in many cases, the roof of the passenger vehicle absorbs the impact, which is the part of the car least equipped to do so.

Underride accidents often cause serious injuries or fatalities because:

• Seatbelts and airbags fail to protect occupants.
• The truck’s structure strikes the head and neck area.
• Victims suffer crushing and shearing injuries.
• Victims frequently become trapped beneath the trailer.

Even at lower speeds, underride accidents can cause life-altering injuries. Survivors often face permanent disabilities that affect every aspect of their daily lives. Our attorneys fight to seek compensation that truly reflects the lasting impacts of an underride truck accident.

Common Causes of Underride Accidents in Greenville

Truck driver or trucking company negligence often plays a direct role in underride accidents. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to investigate every factor of the collision to determine who might bear responsibility for the crash that injured you.

Some examples of common causes of underride truck crashes include:

• Missing or defective underride guards on trailers
• Improperly maintained rear or side guards
• Sudden stops by trucks without adequate warning
• Poor visibility at night or in bad weather
• Wide turns that cross multiple lanes
• Failure to use reflective tape or lighting

Some trucking companies cut corners to save money, whether that means delaying maintenance, ignoring safety upgrades, providing inadequate training, or pushing drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. When these choices cause you harm, our underride truck accident attorneys fight to hold the negligent party accountable.

Severe Injuries and Fatalities in Underride Truck Crashes

Underride accidents cause severe injuries more frequently than other car crashes. Victims often require lifelong medical care, and some do not survive their injuries.

Some common injuries from Greenville underride truck accidents include:

• Severe facial and skull fractures
• Internal organ injuries and bleeding
• Amputations and crush injuries
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Severe injuries from underride truck crashes often require multiple surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, and ongoing medical care. Our attorneys can work with medical professionals and financial experts to assess the full impact of your injuries on your daily life and finances, and then fight for full compensation.

Wrongful Death in Underride Accidents

Some underride accidents result in fatalities. Surviving family members face sudden grief along with unexpected and overwhelming financial burdens. South Carolina law allows surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims, but trucking companies and their insurers rarely accept responsibility without a fight.

Our Greenville underride truck accident lawyers offer compassion, understanding, and skilled legal guidance to families seeking justice and financial security after an unimaginable loss.

Liability and Compensation in South Carolina Underride Accident Cases

Virtually all truck accident cases come with complicated liability issues, as several parties may bear responsibility. Potentially liable parties could include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• A trailer or guard manufacturer
• Maintenance contractors
• Cargo loading companies

Trucking companies carry large, complex insurance policies, and insurance companies utilize extensive resources to devalue or outright deny claims. Working with our dedicated truck underride accident lawyers can help protect your rights and secure the recovery you deserve.

Compensation in truck underride accidents can cover both your financial losses and the physical and emotional damage caused by the negligent party. Examples of potential types of compensation in a successful personal injury claim include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability and disfigurement
• Loss of companionship and support
• Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases

South Carolina law limits the time you have to file a claim related to an underride truck accident. Early legal action can preserve evidence and strengthen your case.

How The Melonakos Law Firm Can Help Victims of Underride Truck Accidents

Pursuing compensation for an underride truck accident can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Melonakos Law Firm can lead you through the legal process and build a compelling claim for the recovery you deserve.

Our Greenville underride truck accident lawyers can help by:

• Reviewing your case for free – We can sit down with you for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case and outline your legal options.
• Investigating the accident – Our attorneys can launch an immediate investigation to identify all liable parties and gather evidence.
• Calculating compensation – We often work with medical and financial experts to assess the full value of a claim and calculate how much you are owed.
• Dealing with insurers – Insurance companies frequently use various tactics to protect their profits. We protect your rights by handling all communications with them and fighting for maximum compensation.
• Negotiating and litigating – When it comes time to negotiate a settlement, we advocate aggressively for your best interests. If insurers will not agree to a fair settlement, we will file a lawsuit and take your claim to court.

If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a truck underride accident, The Melonakos Law Firm wants to help you now. Let us be your fiercest advocates as we seek to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover your rightful compensation.

Contact us today for your free consultation.