Hurt In A Car Wreck in Columbia?

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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 Columbia, South Carolina, car accident lawyers so we can help you take the right steps and avoid any further mistakes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In rare cases, the insurance company will not negotiate, nor will they offer fair compensation for car accident injuries. Our Columbia 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.