The Ford Maverick is one of the most popular compact pickup trucks on Charleston’s roads today, from the neighborhoods of West Ashley and Mount Pleasant to the busy stretches of I-26 near the Lowcountry’s commercial corridors. Its smaller footprint makes it appealing for everyday use, but that does not make a crash involving one any less serious. When a Maverick strikes another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, the injuries can be severe, the legal questions can be complicated, and the path to recovery demands immediate attention. If you or a family member was hurt in a wreck involving a Ford Maverick in the Charleston area, a pickup truck accident lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm is ready to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Ford Maverick Crashes Cause Serious Physical Injuries
• Ford Maverick Recalls That Can Contribute to Crash Injuries in South Carolina
• South Carolina Law and Your Right to Recover Damages After a Maverick Crash
• What to Do After a Ford Maverick Crash in Charleston, SC
• South Carolina’s Filing Deadline for Ford Maverick Injury Claims
• FAQs About Ford Maverick Pickup Truck Accident Injuries in Charleston, SC

Why Ford Maverick Crashes Cause Serious Physical Injuries

The Ford Maverick weighs between roughly 3,600 and 4,000 pounds depending on the trim and drivetrain. That is a significant amount of mass, and in a collision, that mass transfers directly into injury. Occupants of smaller passenger cars, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians near Charleston’s busy corridors like US Highway 17 and the Crosstown face real danger when a Maverick is involved in a crash.

The compact truck’s ride height is higher than a standard sedan, which means that in a T-bone or sideswipe collision, the Maverick’s front end or door panels can strike the passenger compartment of a lower vehicle at chest or head level rather than at bumper height. This mismatch in vehicle geometry is a known factor in crash injuries and is well-documented in federal safety research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Common injuries in Ford Maverick crashes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, chest injuries, and soft tissue damage. Rear-end crashes involving a Maverick can produce severe neck and back injuries even at moderate speeds. Head-on collisions are often catastrophic, particularly on two-lane roads in the Lowcountry where there is little room for error.

Even with the Maverick’s respectable crash test ratings, which include five-star frontal and side crash scores from NHTSA, the truck’s safety features protect its own occupants, not the people it strikes. The 2025 Ford Maverick earned high marks from NHTSA, earning five stars for frontal and side crash tests, but those ratings measure what happens inside the truck, not what happens to the other party in a crash. If you were in the other vehicle, your injuries may be far more severe.

Ford Maverick Recalls That Can Contribute to Crash Injuries in South Carolina

A vehicle defect that causes or worsens a crash is a separate legal issue from driver negligence alone. When a Ford Maverick’s mechanical or software systems fail, the resulting crash may give rise to a product liability claim against Ford Motor Company in addition to a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. South Carolina recognizes product liability claims under S.C. Code § 15-73-10, which holds manufacturers accountable for unreasonably dangerous defects.

Several Ford Maverick recalls are directly relevant to crash risk. Ford recalled 4,653 Maverick trucks due to a potentially defective lower control-arm ball joint, reporting to NHTSA that the affected vehicles may not have properly assembled front lower control arm ball joints, and if the ball joint separates from the knuckle, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

On certain 2025 and 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid trucks, the integrated park module may fail to fully lock into the Park position when the driver shifts into Park, meaning the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention,” and a loss of Park function can allow the vehicle to roll away on inclines if the parking brake is not also engaged.

On certain 2025 and 2026 Ford Maverick trucks, the occupant-facing passenger instrument panel door of the front passenger air bag may separate from the airbag chute door when the air bag deploys, and if the air bag deploys in a crash, the detached instrument panel cover can become a projectile and increase the risk of injury to occupants.

These are not minor issues. If your crash involved a Maverick with an open recall, that information is critical to your case. A truck accident lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm can investigate whether a defect played a role in your injuries and pursue every available legal theory on your behalf.

South Carolina Law and Your Right to Recover Damages After a Maverick Crash

South Carolina law gives injured crash victims the right to seek compensation from any party whose negligence caused their harm. That includes the driver of the Ford Maverick, the vehicle’s owner if different from the driver, an employer if the driver was working at the time, and potentially Ford Motor Company if a defect contributed to the crash.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 51 percent at fault for the crash. If you are found to be partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 20 percent at fault and awards $100,000, you would receive $80,000 from the settlement proceeds. This rule makes it important to build the strongest possible case from the start.

Under S.C. Code § 56-5-1220, a driver involved in a crash resulting in injury must provide their name, address, and vehicle registration to the injured party and render reasonable assistance, including arranging medical transport when necessary. Failure to do so is itself a violation of South Carolina law.

Damages available in a South Carolina personal injury case include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. In cases involving a fatality, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim. All of these damages flow through the settlement or court judgment process, with payment made from the settlement proceeds.

Working with a personal injury lawyer from the start gives you the best chance of identifying every source of liability and building a complete picture of your losses.

What to Do After a Ford Maverick Crash in Charleston, SC

The steps you take in the hours and days after a Ford Maverick crash directly affect the strength of your injury claim. Charleston’s roads, from the Ravenel Bridge approach on US-17 to the busy intersections near Tanger Outlets in North Charleston, see heavy pickup truck traffic daily. Crashes happen fast, and the evidence that supports your case can disappear just as quickly.

Call 911 immediately. A police report creates an official record of the crash, the vehicles involved, and the initial determination of fault. Get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage do not always produce immediate symptoms. A gap in medical treatment can be used against you later.

Document everything you can at the scene. Photograph the vehicles, the road conditions, any skid marks, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If the crash happened near a business or intersection with cameras, note those locations so they can be preserved.

Do not speak to any insurance company, including your own, before you talk to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that can reduce or eliminate your claim. A statement made in the hours after a crash, when you are in pain and disoriented, can be used to minimize what you receive from the settlement proceeds.

Contact Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 as soon as possible. Our team can begin preserving evidence, communicating with insurers on your behalf, and protecting your legal rights from day one. The sooner you call, the more options we have to build your case.

South Carolina’s Filing Deadline for Ford Maverick Injury Claims

Time limits are not suggestions. South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530 establishes that personal injury claims, including those for assault, battery, or injury to a person not arising from a contract, must be filed within three years. That three-year clock starts on the date of your crash.

Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. South Carolina courts enforce this rule strictly. South Carolina law requires most personal injury lawsuits to be filed within three years of the date of the injury, and if an injured person fails to submit a formal summons and complaint to the court before this three-year window closes, they lose the legal right to seek compensation for their losses.

There are limited exceptions. If the injured person was a minor at the time of the crash, the clock may not start until they turn 18. If the at-fault driver was a government employee acting within the scope of their duties, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act under S.C. Code § 15-78-110 shortens the deadline to two years, not three. These exceptions are narrow and require careful legal analysis.

Three years can feel like a long time, but it is not. Physical evidence from crash scenes deteriorates, surveillance footage is typically overwritten within 30 to 90 days, and witnesses move, forget details, or become harder to locate. Waiting months before contacting an attorney puts your case at a real disadvantage.

A car accident attorney at Steinberg Law Firm can confirm the exact deadline that applies to your case, handle all court filings, and make sure no procedural error costs you your right to recover. Call 843-720-2800 today for a free consultation. For nearly 100 years, the firm has been fighting for injured people across the Lowcountry and throughout South Carolina, and we are ready to fight for you.

FAQs About Ford Maverick Pickup Truck Accident Injuries in Charleston, SC

Can I file a claim if the Ford Maverick that hit me had an open recall at the time of the crash?

Yes. If the Ford Maverick involved in your crash had an open recall for a defect that contributed to the wreck or your injuries, you may have a product liability claim against Ford Motor Company in addition to a negligence claim against the driver. South Carolina’s product liability statute, S.C. Code § 15-73-10, holds manufacturers responsible for unreasonably dangerous defects. An attorney can investigate the vehicle’s recall history and determine whether a defect played a role in your crash.

What if the Ford Maverick driver was working for a company when the crash happened?

If the Maverick driver was performing job duties at the time of the crash, their employer may also be liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees committed within the scope of employment. This can significantly expand the sources of compensation available to you, including the employer’s commercial insurance coverage. Your attorney can investigate the driver’s employment status and the nature of their work at the time of the wreck.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Ford Maverick crash in South Carolina?

Under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina. If the at-fault driver was a government employee, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act under § 15-78-110 may shorten that deadline to two years. Missing the deadline almost certainly means losing your right to seek any compensation, so you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after your crash.

Do I have to talk to the insurance company after a Ford Maverick crash?

No. You should not speak to any insurance company, including your own, until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurance adjusters work to protect the insurer’s financial interests, not yours. Anything you say, even a simple statement that you “feel okay,” can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Contact Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 before giving any recorded statement or signing any documents from an insurance company.

What kinds of damages can I recover after being injured in a Ford Maverick crash in Charleston?

South Carolina law allows injured crash victims to seek compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. In cases where a loved one was killed, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under S.C. Code § 15-3-530(6). All compensation is paid from the settlement proceeds or a court judgment. The specific damages available in your case depend on the facts, which is why a thorough legal evaluation is essential.