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If you’ve been in a car accident, our Charleston personal injury lawyers understand what you’re going through and that you’re stressed, in pain, and looking for answers. We want you to know we are here for you. Our Charleston car accident lawyers will answer your questions and guide you through this difficult time.
The Thumbs Up Guys will work to maximize your settlement while you focus on your recovery. We care about each and every one of our clients, and we take great pride in helping you get the help you need throughout the claims process.
Call a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Today
Our Charleston car accident lawyers at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys have your back. If you have sufficient grounds for a claim, the Thumbs Up Guys are ready to help you form a successful case for the compensation you deserve.
With no upfront costs required, our legal team will represent you on a contingency-fee-basis. This means we do not get paid unless we win your case. Get started with a free consultation today.
Reputation
We help our clients with all of their accident-related problems. No matter how big or small the issue, the Thumbs Up Guys have your back!
Experience
We’ve helped countless victims of personal injury accidents get the money they needed from the settlements they deserved. We can fight for you, too.
Focus
We never take our eye off the ball. Rest assured you, your case, and the settlement we’re fighting for will be our top priority when you choose us.
Our Charleston Car Accident Lawyers Know What You’re Going Through
If you’ve been in a car accident, we understand the pressure you are under right now. The days after a collision can be such an overwhelming and confusing time for an individual, especially one suffering from injuries. You’re tired, stressed, in pain, and looking for answers.
We want you to know we’re here for you. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the steps involved in your case. Our Charleston car accident lawyers take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs.
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Our Charleston Car Accident Lawyers Get Results That Matter
These are some of the results we’ve secured for our clients in South Carolina. During the early stages of the process, we will estimate the value of your claim.
RESULTS THAT MATTER
Injured? We’ve Got This!
Charleston car accident lawyers are ready to help if you’re an injured car accident victim.
Broken Bones
If you suffered any broken bones in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to get compensation for X-rays, casting, prescriptions, and more.
Head Trauma
Traumatic brain injuries are very common in car accident cases. They can include concussions, brain contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, and more.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
A back or spinal cord injury is very serious and can result in a large settlement. These injuries can include thoracic and lumbar injuries, herniated discs, and more.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The shock of a vehicle hitting your car can throw your whole body into sudden motion. This type of jolt can cause soft tissue injuries like whiplash.
Lacerations
Broken glass or jagged metal can cause deep, life-threatening cuts in the skin. If you sustained lacerations deep enough to warrant medical attention, you may be able to get compensation for your pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations in South Carolina
The statute of limitations is a time limit that is put on the filing of lawsuits. According to South Carolina code §15-3-530, your car accident lawyers in Charleston will have three years from the day of your accident to file your personal injury claim.
While this may seem like plenty of time, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. No two cases are the same and waiting to file your claim can cause you to miss out on your chance of receiving compensation for your losses.
The statute of limitations encourages a swift resolution for all parties involved. Without it, an individual could threaten a lawsuit against the liable party indefinitely. Additionally, as time erodes the legitimacy of evidence in a case, the case becomes more difficult to resolve.
How Will My Car Accident Lawyer Prove Negligence?
In order for a claim to be successful, it must prove negligence. In other words, if you wish to receive compensation from the responsible individual in your car crash, you must prove they were behaving recklessly. In order to do this you will need to prove:
- The other individual was acting in a way that was without care or concern for the safety of others.
- It was this individual’s reckless actions that led to your accident.
- The wreck was a direct cause of your injuries.
How Will I Know if I Have a Valid Claim in South Carolina?
Each case has distinctive circumstances that impact its validity. Ultimately, you will need an attorney to confirm this for you. These are some common factors that personal injury attorneys use to evaluate car accident claims.
Liability
Is there another driver or party responsible for the auto accident and your injuries? Simply being injured in a car accident does not automatically mean you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. You need to prove that another party was responsible for causing the accident and their actions led to your injuries.
Car Accident Evidence
Even though you know someone else is responsible for your injuries, you cannot receive compensation if you cannot prove they caused the car wreck. Evidence includes police reports, eyewitnesses, medical records, and photos from the scene of the accident.
Case Value
Seeking medical care helps support your claim and documents your injuries and pain and suffering. Ultimately, your case needs to be worth enough as a result of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering to justify hiring a car accident attorney.
Your car accident claim is more than just the money. It’s about seeking justice and preventing future injuries from happening because the defendant continued to drive carelessly.
What Can a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
You may need a personal injury lawyer to handle your case from start to finish if you want to make the most of your claim. We take the weight of legal work off your shoulders by focusing on these parts of your case:
Investigation
Your car accident lawyer can investigate your accident to uncover relevant facts to build a strong case against the defendant. This includes more than basic items like police reports and medical records.
We can look for nearby security camera footage that shows the accident, obtain cell phone records from the driver that hit you, and hire s to do accident reconstruction reports.
Communication
Insurance companies train their representatives to retrieve statements from those who have been in a car accident that they can later use against them. Your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company and protect you from questionable tactics that can reduce the value of your claim.
Do not speak to the insurance company or sign any paperwork without first talking to a car accident attorney.
Negotiation
Insurance companies often fail to inform injured parties of all of the possible ways they can recover, which could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Our car accident lawyers have experience negotiating settlements for our clients. In many cases, we can secure more compensation for our clients than they can do on their own.
Litigation
In rare cases, the insurance company will not negotiate, nor will they offer fair compensation for car accident injuries. Our Charleston car accident lawyers will fight for you in the courtroom if you need to go to trial.
While most cases in litigation don’t result in a jury trial, it’s important to have an attorney who has a track record of litigating and trying cases. This sends a message to the insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Charleston, SC
How Will I Receive Compensation?
- The defendant’s insurance company may make things difficult in negotiations. It’s important to note that just because the police report lists the other driver at fault, it doesn’t mean their insurance company will take responsibility. Your attorney will fight for your right to compensation. Once legal negotiations are through and a total amount of compensation has been decided, the at-fault individual’s insurance company will ask that you sign a release of all claims. This ensures that you will not reopen the case.
What if I Am Partially to Blame for the Car Accident?
If you believe you share any percentage of fault in the wreck, it’s important that you do not inform the other party of this information, or even say that you’re sorry. This can be used against you in legal proceedings.
If it is discovered that you are partially to blame for the accident, the total amount of compensation you can receive may be affected. According to South Carolina code §15-38-15, if you do share some degree of legal liability, the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by an amount that is equal to your percentage of fault.
If you are found to be responsible for more than 50% at fault, you will not be able to collect any compensation.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Charleston Car Accident?
There are three types of damages in personal injury cases. They are broken into three different categories:
- Punitive damages: These are generally only applicable in the most egregious cases in which the other driver acted with willful, wanton, or reckless behavior. This is set as a form of punishment to the defendant.
- Economic damages: These are the real financial losses you’ve suffered from the accident. This can be totaled up through bank statements, bills, and receipts.
- Non-economic damages: These do not have a dollar figure attached to them. This can include your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reputational damage.
Do I Need a Police Report After a Car Accident?
It’s always important to contact the police after an accident so they can make sure everyone is safe and so a police report may be filed. You will likely be asked to retell your story several times, and a police report can help you remember the details and keep them straight.
The police report can also serve as valuable information to help you and your car accident attorney build your case later on.
What if I Make a Mistake at the Scene of the Accident?
It can hurt your case later if you say “I’m sorry” at the scene of the accident. Making mistakes like these can be costly, but it isn’t always the end of the world. As soon as you’re able, contact our Charleston, SC, car accident lawyers so we can help you take the right steps and avoid any further mistakes.
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company?
After you’ve secured legal representation, it’s in your best interest to direct the insurance company to talk to your lawyer. Always remember that they are not on your side, and they are not your friend.
The insurance adjuster’s job is to get away with paying you as little as possible — or to get out of paying for your claim altogether. Don’t volunteer any information to them, and don’t sign any paperwork. If you do, you could potentially lose out on the compensation you deserve.
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