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Columbia Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents in Columbia, South Carolina are quite common. Devastatingly, car wrecks can lead to serious injuries and sometimes even loss of life. If this is the case for you or a loved one, we are so sorry, and we are here for you. Every day, our team dedicates our time and resources to helping victims of car accidents and their families recover physically, financially, and emotionally, ensuring they get the best support possible.

Throughout our 60+ years of combined experience in personal injury law, we have seen time and time again that the insurance companies do not make the recovery process an easy or comfortable one for car accident victims in South Carolina. With Cavanaugh & Thickens, you can rest assured knowing that we fight to get our clients everything they’re entitled to under South Carolina law. We won’t settle for anything less.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Columbia, SC, and aren’t sure where to start, or you have tried to deal with the insurance company on your own and aren’t where you want to be, let us help. Cavanaugh & Thickens has the skills, experience, and resources needed to get you the entirety of what you’re owed under South Carolina law. Call our award-winning Columbia car accident lawyers today at (803) 888-2200 or fill out our secure online request form for a free consultation.  

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Studies frequently show that a majority of car accidents are caused by human error and negligence. Some of the common causes of car accidents that we see include: 

  • Speeding
  • Distracted Driving
  • Driving Under The Influence
  • Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
  • Unsafe Lane Changes
  • Wrong-Way Driving

If you or a loved one was hit by a driver who was speeding, distracted, driving under the influence, or caused the accident due to another factor, you may be eligible to receive significant compensation under South Carolina law. Call our Columbia car accident attorneys at (803) 888-2200 now for more information and see what you might be entitled to. 

What Compensation May Be Available After a Car Accident in Columbia, SC?

After a car accident, you may feel scared to drive again and have various medical bills from hospitals, EMS, physical therapists, and more. If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries, you likely have orthopedic and neurological bills in addition to other expenses. Our team is dedicated to getting justice for those injured in car accidents. One of the ways we do this is by making sure you get compensated for the expenses and damages resulting from the accident. This can include:

  • 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 can give you a good starting point of identifying what you may be entitled to, you may be entitled to more depending on the specifics of your case. Call our team at (803) 888-2200 for more information. We’re available for you 24/7.

Common Injuries Following a Car Accident

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a car accident, our local car accident attorneys can help. While we’ve seen injuries vary greatly depending on the specifics of the accident, they commonly include: 

  • Fractures
  • Soft-Tissue Injuries
  • Broken Bones
  • Whiplash
  • Knee Injuries
  • Foot/Ankle Injuries
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Wrist/Hand Injuries
  • Scars/Disfigurement 

Other accidents lead to more catastrophic injuries, such as:

  • Neck Injuries
  • Burn Injuries 
  • Internal Injuries 
  • Limb Loss  
  • Amputations 
  • Back Injuries 
  • Neck Injuries 
  • Lacerations 
  • Road Rash 
  • Crush Injuries 
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
  • Wrongful Death

While some of these injuries show up immediately, others can be delayed and show up days or weeks following the accident. Delayed injuries are one of the many reasons why it’s critical to see a doctor immediately following an accident, even if you think you’re fine.  

If you or a loved one is currently recovering from any of these injuries after a car accident, it is in your best interest to discuss the accident with a reliable personal injury lawyer. Call our team today at (803) 888-2200 to see how we can help you.

“I must say this was my first time hiring a lawyer for anything & I’m grateful that I choose Cavanaugh & Thickens Law Firm to take over my case.. Mr ERIC is that GUY!! I felt comfortable, he kept me notified & I trusted his word through my entire case, By following his instructions, SETTLEMENT came out to be LIFE CHANGING🖤🖤

They are family NOW. Thanks YOU GUYS!!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

Tyresha S

What Should I Do After I’ve Been Involved in a Car Accident?

It’s normal to be shaken, scared, and even a little confused after a car accident. Crashes can happen in a split second, and the rush of adrenaline your body sends out can make it more difficult for you to think clearly or remember exactly what happened. That’s why it’s important to know what to do after a car accident before it happens so that you can react appropriately at the moment.

Attend to Any Injuries

The first thing you should do after being involved in a car accident doesn’t have anything to do with legal matters. Before anything else, it’s important to attend to any injuries that either party may have. Car accident injuries can include very serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, broken limbs, and punctured lungs. In general, it’s advised not to move people out of the vehicle if they can’t move on their own unless the car is on fire or in a very dangerous place. Try to keep those at the scene alert and talking until the EMTs arrive to take over.

When you are getting your injuries treated, try not to think about the medical bills that may be coming afterward. The most important thing is to ensure that you get the care you need to be able to recover, and expenses can be dealt with later — possibly through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Do Not Admit Fault

It’s normal to apologize immediately or take partial blame after a car accident, but admitting fault — even casually — can be an issue later on if you need to file a car accident claim. Car accidents can be complex situations, and you may not even be fully aware of all of the factors that went into the wreck. For example, you may think you pulled out in front of someone, but they may have been speeding or not had their lights on during poor weather conditions. This is why car accidents have to be investigated by professionals to really understand who the negligent driver was. The police will ask you to make a statement for the police report immediately after the accident, but be careful to stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault (unless, of course, you are absolutely positive you were in the wrong)..

Alert Your Insurance Company

Once your immediate medical needs have been taken care of, you will need to let your insurance company know that you’ve been in an accident so they can get started on your car accident claim. They will likely send an adjuster out to look at your car to determine the amount of damage, and they will start getting in contact with the other party’s insurance company.

The insurance companies make their own internal determination about who is at fault for the accident. In cases where they decide that both parties had some responsibility for the accident, they will assign a percentage of fault, such as saying one party was 70 percent responsible and the other was 30 percent responsible. The important thing to remember is that these numbers have no effect on the legal process, and may be completely opposite from what a jury decides.

Talk to Car Accidents Lawyers

While your first priority is to recover and take care of your health, as soon as you feel up to it, it’s a good idea to reach out to a car accident lawyer to discuss your case and options. You don’t have to file a car accident lawsuit right away, as the statute of limitations for car accident cases is three years in South Carolina. Still, the sooner you have legal representation involved, the better. A car accident lawyer can talk to insurance companies and provide counsel throughout the process to protect your rights and interests.

Should I Settle With the Insurance Company?

It’s very common for insurance companies to offer to settle with victims after motor vehicle accidents, but this is something you should investigate with extreme caution and talk with your car accident lawyer about. 

After a car accident claim has been filed, the insurance company’s legal team will evaluate what the odds are if the case were to go forward to trial. Their main goal is to pay as little as possible to the victim. So, this means that they will likely offer less in a settlement than they think they would be forced to pay if the victim hires an attorney or wins the lawsuit in court.

Many of the attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens have prior experience working on the defense side, meaning they once represented the insurance companies in these cases. This gives our team a unique understanding of the legal process, what to expect, and how hard we can push. Unfortunately, the legal process is designed to benefit and protect insurance companies, not you. Which is unacceptable, and a leading factor in why you should always contact an attorney after an auto accident.

Contact our team today for a free consultation by calling our firm at (803) 888-2200 or filling out our secure online consultation request form.

What Types of Car Accidents Does Cavanaugh & Thickens Handle?

Our experienced legal team handles many different types of accidents involving a vehicle throughout Columbia and the state of SC, including but not limited to: 

Why Should I Work With a Car Accident Lawyer?

Many people wonder why they need to work with a car accident lawyer and why they can’t pursue the case on their own. Particularly, if the insurance company has determined that the other driver was 100% at fault, it can seem like an open and shut case that doesn’t require legal expertise to pursue. However, it’s important to remember that the other party’s insurance company will have a full legal team dedicated to preserving their clients’ interests. It can be difficult and intimidating to go up against an experienced legal team alone.

After a car accident, it’s important to talk to an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible about your rights and options. Having legal representation as you navigate the court system and when filing a personal injury lawsuit can make the process less stressful and ensure you have someone on your side to explain things every step of the way. Our law firm offers clients a free consultation so we can learn more about your case and how we can help. Please call us today at 803-888-2200.