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McGuire Law

Columbia Semi-truck Accident Attorney

A semi-truck collision on I-26, I-77, or near Malfunction Junction in Columbia, South Carolina transforms your life in an instant—what begins as routine travel on congested interstate corridors becomes catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and fighting insurance companies representing billion-dollar trucking corporations who prioritize profits over highway safety.

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Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Truck Accident Victims

Attorney Matt McGuire

Whether you were crushed by an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer near Fort Jackson, suffered catastrophic injuries in a jackknife accident on I-20, were hit by a distracted truck driver on Garners Ferry Road, or lost a family member in a preventable truck crash anywhere in Richland or Lexington Counties, these cases involve complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and insurance companies deploying investigation teams within hours to minimize multimillion-dollar exposure.

Matt McGuire has represented truck accident victims in Columbia for over three decades, pursuing maximum compensation from negligent trucking companies, truck drivers, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and all parties whose violations of federal motor carrier safety regulations caused devastating injuries.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Semi-truck accidents involve federal regulations, multiple defendants, and corporate legal teams that ordinary car accident attorneys rarely encounter. Securing maximum compensation requires specialized expertise in trucking industry practices and FMCSA compliance.

Federal Regulation Mastery

Deep understanding of FMCSA regulations including Hours of Service, driver qualification standards, maintenance requirements, and cargo securement rules that create negligence per se when violated.

Multi-Defendant Litigation

Experience identifying and pursuing all liable parties—trucking companies, drivers, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and manufacturers—maximizing compensation sources for catastrophic injuries.

Electronic Evidence Preservation

Immediate action to preserve electronic logging devices, GPS data, dash cameras, and maintenance records before trucking companies destroy evidence through "routine" data purges.

Accident Reconstruction Expertise

Relationships with leading accident reconstruction experts, trucking industry specialists, and engineers who establish liability and counter corporate defense narratives.

Catastrophic Injury Valuation

Experience valuing lifetime damages for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death—refusing settlements that represent pennies compared to actual needs.

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Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

From jackknife accidents on I-26 to underride collisions on rural highways, we handle the full spectrum of commercial truck accident cases throughout Columbia and South Carolina.

Jackknife Accidents

Crashes on I-26, I-77, or I-20 when improper braking, excessive speed, or equipment failures cause trailers to swing perpendicular to cabs, blocking multiple lanes and causing devastating collisions.

Underride Collisions

Catastrophic accidents where passenger vehicles slide beneath truck trailers due to inadequate rear guards, killing or catastrophically injuring occupants in crashes that often prove fatal.

Driver Fatigue Accidents

Crashes caused by truck drivers violating Hours of Service regulations requiring rest breaks, causing drowsy driving collisions throughout Columbia interstate corridors.

Cargo-Related Accidents

Overloaded or improperly secured cargo creating shifting loads, brake failures, or debris falling onto Columbia highways and injuring motorists.

Blind Spot Accidents

Collisions when truck drivers fail to check mirrors or utilize required safety equipment before changing lanes or turning at Columbia intersections.

Tire Blowouts and Equipment Failures

Accidents from inadequate maintenance causing drivers to lose control on interstate highways or debris striking following vehicles.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Violations when truck drivers text, use phones, eat, or engage in activities prohibited under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Trucking Companies Deploy Response Teams Within Hours

While you're being treated at the hospital, trucking company investigators are photographing scenes, interviewing witnesses, and building defenses. You need representation immediately.

McGuire Law's Core Values

Taking on billion-dollar trucking corporations requires more than legal skill—it demands unwavering commitment to clients facing catastrophic injuries while corporate defendants deploy unlimited resources to minimize compensation.

David vs. Goliath Commitment

We don't back down from trucking corporations with unlimited legal budgets. We invest the resources necessary to build winning cases against the largest defendants in the industry.

Immediate Evidence Preservation

We act within hours to demand preservation of electronic logging devices, GPS data, and maintenance records before trucking companies destroy evidence through "routine" purges.

No Quick Settlement Pressure

We refuse to pressure clients into quick settlements representing pennies compared to lifetime needs. We fight for full compensation even when cases require years of litigation.

Family-Focused Representation

Catastrophic truck accidents devastate entire families. We support spouses, children, and caregivers throughout the process, understanding that recovery extends beyond the injured victim.

Trial-Ready Preparation

Insurance companies respect lawyers who will take cases to trial. Our trial preparation begins immediately, ensuring defendants take our demands seriously from the start.

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Immediate Post-Accident Action Steps

The hours following a truck accident are critical for both your medical care and legal protection. Taking the right steps immediately preserves evidence and strengthens your case.

Call 911 Immediately

Ensure police response, emergency medical care, and official accident reports documenting truck collision circumstances before evidence disappears.

Seek Emergency Treatment

Go to Prisma Health Richland trauma center, Lexington Medical Center, or Providence Hospital regardless of how you feel—adrenaline masks serious injuries.

Document Everything

Photograph truck positions, skid marks, cargo, property damage, road conditions, and all visible injuries before scenes are cleared.

Obtain Truck Information

Get commercial driver's license numbers, motor carrier DOT numbers, insurance information, and employer details from the truck driver.

Never Give Statements

Do not provide statements to trucking company representatives, insurance adjusters, or investigators at accident scenes or hospitals.

Call McGuire Law Immediately

Contact (888) 499-5738 within hours if possible—federal regulations require preserving electronic data, but trucking companies routinely "lose" evidence.

The McGuire Law Difference

Truck accident cases against major corporations require attorneys who understand the trucking industry, federal regulations, and how to outmaneuver well-funded defense teams. Matt McGuire has spent over 30 years developing this specialized expertise.

Decades Fighting Trucking Corporations

Over 30 years taking on trucking companies, their insurers, and corporate defense teams. We've seen every tactic and know how to counter them effectively.

Rapid Response Investigation

We deploy investigators immediately to accident scenes, preserving evidence before it disappears and countering trucking company rapid response teams building defenses.

Elite Expert Network

Relationships with leading accident reconstructionists, trucking industry experts, life care planners, and economists who build compelling cases for maximum compensation.

FMCSA Violation Expertise

Deep knowledge of federal motor carrier regulations allows us to identify violations that establish negligence per se, shifting burdens and strengthening liability proof.

Maximum Value Recovery Focus

Catastrophic truck accident injuries require millions in lifetime compensation. We refuse inadequate settlements and fight for full value regardless of how long it takes.

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Damages Available in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries requiring millions in lifetime compensation. We fight for every dollar necessary to address your current and future needs.

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses including emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, and lifetime treatment
  • Lost earning capacity—often $3-7 million for younger victims unable to work
  • Permanent disability compensation for spinal cord injuries, TBI, and amputations
  • Home modifications, medical equipment, and attendant care costs

Non-Economic and Punitive Damages

  • Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional trauma, and disfigurement
  • Wrongful death damages for funeral costs, lost support, and loss of companionship
  • Loss of consortium claims by spouses for destroyed marriages
  • Punitive damages when trucking companies knowingly violated safety regulations

Recovery Timelines Vary

Straightforward liability truck cases may settle within 12-18 months, while complex catastrophic injury litigation may require 2-4 years to reach maximum compensation.

Potentially Liable Parties in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. Identifying all liable defendants maximizes compensation sources for your catastrophic injuries.

Trucking Companies

Liable for negligent hiring, failing to maintain vehicles, pressuring drivers to violate hours of service, or inadequate safety training that caused your accident.

Truck Drivers

Personally liable for speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, or violating traffic laws and FMCSA regulations.

Maintenance Providers

Third-party mechanics and maintenance companies liable when defective repairs, inadequate inspections, or failed brakes contributed to accidents.

Cargo Loading Companies

Liable for improper weight distribution, inadequate securement, or overloading that created dangerous conditions causing crashes.

Truck and Parts Manufacturers

Product liability claims when defective components including brakes, tires, steering systems, or coupling devices caused equipment failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Truck accident cases involve specialized legal issues that differ significantly from ordinary car accidents. Here are answers to questions we commonly hear from truck accident victims and their families.

Why are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck accidents involve federal FMCSA regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, larger insurance policies, and corporate defendants with unlimited legal resources. Specialized expertise is essential for maximum recovery.

What is an ELD and why does it matter?

Electronic Logging Devices record driver hours, speeds, and other data that can prove FMCSA violations. Trucking companies must preserve this data, but often "lose" it through routine purges—making immediate legal action critical.

Can I sue the trucking company, not just the driver?

Yes. Trucking companies are often liable under vicarious liability theories, and directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, maintenance, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.

How much is my truck accident case worth?

Catastrophic truck accident injuries often result in settlements or verdicts worth millions of dollars. Value depends on injury severity, liability strength, and available insurance coverage. Call for free to discuss your specific case.

Should I accept the insurance company's offer?

Never accept an early settlement offer without legal representation. Insurance companies make quick offers before you understand your injuries, often representing pennies compared to actual lifetime needs.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Trucking companies often claim drivers are independent contractors to avoid liability. We investigate employment relationships and often prove trucking companies remain liable despite these claims.

How long do truck accident cases take?

Straightforward liability cases may settle within 12-18 months. Complex catastrophic injury cases requiring maximum medical improvement and extensive discovery may take 2-4 years for full resolution.

What does truck accident representation cost?

We handle truck accident cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all costs including expert witness fees. Call for free to discuss your case.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When a semi-truck accident has devastated your life or taken a loved one in Columbia, you need more than just any attorney – you need Matt McGuire and McGuire Law.

Don't let another hour pass without proper legal protection against trucking corporations deploying response teams to minimize your claim. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your truck accident case.

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Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

Matt McGuire has represented truck accident victims throughout Columbia and South Carolina for over 30 years, recovering tens of millions in compensation from negligent trucking companies and achieving justice for families devastated by preventable crashes.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston Churchill