If you were recently involved in a car accident, you may be trying to understand the differences between property damage and bodily injury coverage, as well as the claims process. Luckily, you don’t have to face the aftermath of a car accident on your own. With hundreds of 5-star reviews and millions recovered for people injured in accidents, our award-winning car accident lawyers are here for you. For a free case evaluation, simply call (803) 888-2200 today.

This article will discuss personal injury insurance, property damage insurance, the differences between the two, how to file a claim, and more. Should you have any questions about the information presented in this article, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here and happy to help.

What Is a Personal Injury Insurance Claim?

A personal injury claim is made to an insurance company seeking compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Typically, the claim is submitted on behalf of the person who has been harmed in the accident against the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. These claims can result from a wide array of accidents, such as car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian injuries, slip and falls, and more. 

What Does Bodily Injury Insurance Cover?

Bodily injury insurance (BI) is available to compensate someone for injuries caused by someone else. For example, it can help cover medical expenses such as hospital and rehabilitation bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident and injuries.

If you were hurt in a car accident, our car accident attorneys are here to help you identify what coverage, and how much, is available to you. We will fight to get you the entirety of what you deserve under state law for your past, present, and future damages.

How Much Bodily Injury Liability Do I Need?

Many states have minimum insurance policy requirements. For example, in South Carolina, you are required by law to carry a minimum of $25,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for all person(s) injured in an accident. Higher policy limits are available and we always recommend having more than the minimum limits to protect yourself if you are involved in an accident.  

How Much Does Bodily Injury Insurance Cost?

How much your bodily injury insurance costs depends on a few different factors, such as:

  • Your age
  • Your location
  • Your driving history
  • How much coverage you purchase

How to File a Bodily Injury Claim

First, it’s important to understand whether or not you qualify for compensation through a bodily injury claim. 

South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning you may only file a bodily injury claim if you were found to be no more than 50% at-fault for the accident. The amount of compensation you qualify for will be dependent on the percent you are found to be at-fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at-fault for the accident, you could recover up to 80% of the compensation available.

This is one of the many reasons why hiring an experienced car accident attorney is critical after an accident. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to prove fault and negligence pursuant to state law. 

In addition, even in clear fault accidents, insurance companies may still try to trick you into admitting partial fault, lowball, or even deny your claim. We don’t let that happen.

For a free case evaluation directly with a reputable personal injury lawyer, call our office today at (803) 888-2200. We’re available to help via phone 24/7, and we look forward to speaking with you.

What is a Property Damage Insurance Claim?

Unlike personal injury insurance claims designed to seek compensation for injuries and associated costs, property damage claims seek compensation for physical damages and losses to personal property. These claims are typically filed against the at-fault party’s insurance company; however, depending on the types of coverage you purchase, you may be able to go through your own insurance for property damages.

What Does Property Damage Insurance Cover?

Property damage insurance helps cover costs for damages to other people’s vehicles or personal property in an accident. This includes compensation for damages that occur to vehicles and personal belongings inside the vehicle like watches, laptops, car seats, clothing, and more.

How Much Property Damage Liability Do I Need?

Many states have minimum insurance policy requirements for both personal injury and property damage coverage. In South Carolina, in addition to the $25,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for all person(s) injured in an accident, you are also required to carry at least $25,000 in property damage coverage.

How Much Does Property Damage Insurance Cost?

How much your property damage insurance costs depends on a few different factors, such as:

  • Your location
  • Your driving history
  • Your vehicle make and model
  • How you use the vehicle
  • How much coverage you purchase

How to File a Property Damage Insurance Claim

If an accident resulted in no injury and only property damage, you should be able to handle the process on your own. First, you should alert the insurance company and file a claim. They will appraise your vehicle and damage and make you an offer. If you believe it to be fair, you may accept the offer. If you do not believe it is fair, you can negotiate with the insurance company and request a second appraisal. This is typically a simple process that is easy to manage on your own.

If the accident resulted in both property damage and injury, you should contact a personal injury lawyer who has a track-record of results for car accident cases, like the attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. Our law firm offers free case evaluations directly with a lawyer so you can understand your options under state law at no cost to you. 

If the accident did not occur in South Carolina, our team is happy to refer you to an attorney in your area. Simply contact our law firm today.

Are Bodily Injury and Property Damage Insurance Mandatory?

Many states have mandatory requirements for bodily injury and property damage insurance.

In South Carolina, you are required by law to carry a minimum of $25,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for all person(s) injured in an accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. This is commonly referred to as a 25/50/25 policy.

Despite this law, approximately 10.3% of South Carolina drivers in 2023 were uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. If you were hit by an uninsured driver, contact our office as soon as possible to understand your options.

Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With Injury and Property Damage?

At Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, our goal is to fight to get you the best outcome possible for your case and future following an unexpected accident. If you were involved in a car accident that you did not cause, our team is here to thoroughly investigate and aggressively optimize your claim, seeking fair compensation for all damages related to the accident, including all economic and noneconomic damages. 

With Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC on your side, you can expect our team to fight for adequate compensation for all past, present, and future damages, including but not limited to:

  • Medical bills
  • Emergency care costs
  • Prescription medications
  • Surgeries
  • Future medical care costs
  • Rehabilitation costs such as physical therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Emotional trauma
  • Rental car costs
  • Travel expenses, and more.

Contact our South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys Today

With hundreds of 5-star reviews, an award-winning legal team, and millions in compensation recovered for clients throughout the state, you can trust that your case will be in good hands with our team. 

For a free case evaluation directly with a qualified attorney, simply call our office today at (803) 888-2200, complete our online form, or start a website chat and a member of our team will be in touch shortly. We’re here to make this process easy on you, and we look forward to speaking with you.

Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC – Car Accident Case Results

  • $2,050,000 – Truck Accident
  • $750,000 – Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver
  • $675,000 – Vehicle Accident
  • $420,000 – Vehicle Accident
  • $5,000,000 – Tractor Trailer Accident
  • View More Results

With offices in Columbia and Charleston, our lawyers travel to and represent clients throughout the state of South Carolina.

Disclaimer: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Author – William H. Yarborough, Jr

My name is Will Yarborough, and I am a partner and personal injury attorney at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. My practice primarily focuses on car and truck accident cases, and I represent injured people across the state of South Carolina.

I’m committed to ensuring that every single client gets the compensation and justice they deserve following serious and unexpected accidents.

You don’t have to go through the aftermath of an accident on your own. If you have any questions about the information in this article or are interested in becoming a client at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, give me a call today. I’d be honored to help.

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