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Charleston Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident, you may be in pain, feeling scared to drive again, stressed by the financial burden, or anxious about the impact the accident will have on your physical health. We understand that this can be a challenging time, and we’re here to help you through it.
Whether you were recently in an accident, or you’ve been working with the insurance company on your own and haven’t gotten to where you want to be, we’re here to help. With over 60 years of experience handling car accident cases throughout the state, we have the knowledge and resources available to help get the best outcome possible physically, financially, and emotionally. We won’t settle for less.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and are wondering if you have a case or how much your case may be worth, call our team today at (843) 888-9000 or submit an online form.
Car Accident Lawyers in Charleston, SC, With a History of Proven Results
We have a strong track record of getting great results for our clients both inside and outside of the courtroom.
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What Can I Get Compensated For?
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to get compensated for expenses and damages caused by the accident such as:
- Doctor and Hospital Bills
- Physical Therapy, Chiropractor, and Rehabilitation Bills
- Orthopedists, Neurologists, and other Medical Specialists Bills
- Past and Future Time Missed From Work
- Car/Property Damage
- Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages
- Wrongful Death
- Funeral Costs, and more
While this list is a good starting point, you may be entitled to more depending on your situation. Call our team at (843) 888-9000 to learn more. We’re available for you 24/7.
How Does Fault Work in Charleston Car Accidents?
Charleston and the state of South Carolina is a “fault” state. This means the at-fault driver and their insurance company will be responsible for compensating the other party or parties for medical treatment, repairs, and other damages from the crash. For this reason, determining who is truly at fault for an accident is critical.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the at-fault driver and insurance company to try to blame the other party for the accident, especially if it’s not entirely clear who caused the crash. An experienced Charleston car accident lawyer can help you prove fault and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
This can be confusing – if you have any questions or would like to learn more, just give us a call at (843) 888-9000.
How Do I Handle the Insurance Company?
It’s important to keep in mind that you and the other party’s insurance company have different goals. You want to be fairly compensated and supported following an accident or injury, while they want to save as much money as possible… by paying you as little as possible.
Unfortunately, you should expect them to lowball your offer and say it’s the best they can do, make it difficult to get in touch with them, and try to trick you into admitting fault. This is done to find ways to limit or fully deny your claim. Remember, insurance adjusters are trained negotiators – they do this for a living.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to talk to a lawyer before speaking to an insurance company or signing any paperwork. We are happy to give you a quick analysis. Simply call our team at (843) 888-9000.
How Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help Me or My Case?
A car accident lawyer will help with a lot of different aspects of your case from start to finish.
We will start with investigating on your behalf: obtaining and analyzing police reports and medical records, getting security footage, interviewing witnesses, getting the other driver’s cell phone records, taking photos of the scene, proving negligence, and much more.
In addition, we will handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company to protect you from being taken advantage of and make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to for past, present, and future damages from the accident. Rest assured, if an insurance company refuses to give you a fair offer, we will take them to court. Our attorneys have a track record of success for our clients both inside and outside of the courtroom.
We can also recommend doctors and physical therapists, specialists, car repair shops, and other resources you likely need after an accident. We strive to make the recovery process as easy as possible for you.
Trial or Settlement?
Many times, this depends on what our clients goals are and what their ideal outcome looks like. Some people want to get their case settled as quickly as possible, while others want to bring their story to court.
More often than not, we are able to get the insurance company to pay a fair amount to our clients without going to trial, also known as a settlement. This may happen before or after filing a lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Under certain circumstances it may be better to resolve your case out of court, such as if there are factual disputes that might go either way in front of a jury. This is because a jury could grant you everything you’re owed and more, or nothing at all. Your attorney will be able to explain this and give you all of your options in more depth during your free consultation.
If an insurance company refuses to offer you a fair amount, then it may be best to take the case to trial. If that’s the case, then our personal injury attorneys will take your case to trial and fight in the courtroom for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After an Accident?
South Carolina has a Statute of Limitations of three years against private entities, but that time frame is cut down dramatically against the government and some other entities. Meaning, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, but that time may be much shorter and you should consult an attorney as soon as possible in order to ensure that your claim is preserved. There are many benefits to acting as soon as possible: you can get and preserve important evidence, your attorney can prepare and optimize your claim to get the maximum available to you under state law, and you can get a quicker resolution.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
What If I was Partially At-Fault?
In South Carolina, you can still recover a portion of your damages as long as you were found to be less than 51% at fault for the accident. The percentage you are found to be at fault affects how much you are able to recover. For example, if you are found to be 40% at fault, you will be able to recover 60% of the total compensation available. Even if you’re partially at fault, it’s a good idea to discuss the specifics with an attorney.If you are found more than 50% at-fault, you will not be able to collect compensation in the state of South Carolina.
What If The Police Report Is Wrong?
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company?
It’s best to let an attorney handle the insurance company and all communication for you. Why? Insurance companies will use many different tactics to limit your claim. We know exactly how to communicate with them to make sure you get the maximum of what you’re owed.We do not recommend speaking to the insurance company, answering any questions, or signing any paperwork without first discussing this with a lawyer. If you do, you may lose out on the full compensation that you would be able to obtain with an attorney on your side.
