If you’ve gotten into a minor fender bender or another seemingly insignificant collision, you might wonder if you need a lawyer for a minor car accident. The Thumbs Up Guys advise you to consult with an attorney after an accident, even if your injuries and vehicle damage seem mild.
The truth is that many minor car crash injuries can cause problems in the future, making them much more serious than you initially thought. There are also a number of damages that a car accident lawyer can help you pursue after even the mildest incidents. To find out how much you could receive from a claim, you’ll want to hire an attorney as soon as possible.
What to Do Immediately After a Minor Car Accident in South Carolina
Before calling an attorney, there are a few steps you should take at the scene to protect both your safety and your legal rights:
Stop and stay at the scene. South Carolina law requires drivers to remain at the scene of any accident. If you must briefly leave for safety reasons, return as quickly as possible.
Call the police. South Carolina law requires accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to be reported to law enforcement. Even for minor crashes that don’t meet this threshold, calling the police is strongly recommended. A police report provides an official, impartial record that your attorney and insurer can use if a dispute arises later — and without one, you’ll have little recourse if the other driver later changes their story or files a claim against you.
If police do not respond to your scene, you or the other driver may need to self-report the accident by completing an FR-309 form and submitting it to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days.
Exchange information. Collect the other driver’s name, contact information, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance details. Take photos of all vehicles, visible damage, the surrounding scene, and any visible injuries.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Many common accident injuries — including whiplash, concussions, soft tissue damage, and herniated discs — do not produce obvious symptoms right away. The adrenaline from a crash can mask significant pain for hours or days. Prompt medical evaluation creates a record that links your injuries to the accident, which is critical for any future claim.
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Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After a Minor Collision
There are a number of important reasons why you should hire a Charleston car accident lawyer after a minor auto crash. Here’s what an attorney can do to help you cover your losses:
Pursue Forms of Compensation You Didn’t Know Were Available
Most minor and severe car accident victims are unaware of all the damages they’re entitled to pursue. When you meet with a car accident lawyer, they’ll ask you about your accident and the effects it has had on your health, finances, and other aspects of your life.
Once they have a comprehensive understanding of how the collision has affected you, regardless of how minor those changes may seem, they’ll calculate how much you should receive from a claim. Then they’ll seek compensation via insurance negotiations or, if necessary, a lawsuit. If your case is successful, you could receive several or more of the following damages:
- Current, ongoing, and future medical bills
- Emergency medical expenses
- Cost of prescriptions, medical devices, and physical therapy
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Help You Cover Treatment Expenses for Unexpected Injuries
You might not notice the full extent of your injuries in the hours and days following the collision. Some conditions develop over the course of several weeks, and others may go unnoticed because the shock and adrenaline from the crash can dull or mask the pain you should be experiencing.
An experienced attorney can pursue compensation to cover the treatment you need to recover from or manage any type of auto accident injury, including conditions that weren’t immediately apparent at the scene. Common injuries from minor accidents that can turn serious include:
- Whiplash and neck strain
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Back strain and herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken ribs
- Knee, shoulder, and chest injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Facial fractures
- Sprains
No matter how mild your accident injuries seem at first, a lawyer can help ensure you’re pursuing full compensation for your treatment expenses, both now and in the future. Make sure to save all medical bills and records from the start.
Protect You From Insurance Company Tactics
Unfortunately, insurance companies are often more focused on protecting their bottom lines than honoring honest claims. As a result, you’ll likely receive a lowball settlement offer soon after your crash, especially in a minor accident, where insurers may assume you’ll accept a quick, small payment just to put the matter behind you.
This is a common tactic used to convince confused accident victims into agreeing to a payment that doesn’t come close to covering all their losses. South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rules also give insurers an incentive to argue that you share fault for the crash, which can reduce or eliminate your compensation. Instead of accepting an early offer, contact a car accident lawyer who can negotiate with the insurer and come to an agreement that truly reflects your losses.
Answer Any Questions You Have About the Claims Process
The process required to obtain compensation after even a minor car accident can be incredibly confusing. Fortunately, your attorney can explain everything you need to know, handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf, and answer any questions you have along the way, so you can focus on recovering while they handle the legal details.
How Long You Have to File a Car Accident Suit in South Carolina
In addition to providing legal advice, negotiating with insurers, and securing the compensation you need, a car accident lawyer can also make sure your civil suit is filed within South Carolina’s statute of limitations.
According to South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530, you have three years from the date of your car accident to sue the driver who caused it. Missing this deadline will almost certainly bar you from recovering any damages, no matter how strong your case is.
A few important exceptions to keep in mind:
- Government vehicles or entities: If your accident involved a government-owned vehicle or a public employee, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act imposes a shorter deadline; you may have as little as one to two years to file a verified claim and lawsuit
- Delayed injuries: If your injuries were not immediately apparent, consult an attorney as soon as possible about how the discovery rule may apply to your situation
- Don’t wait: Even if your injuries seem minor right now, the three-year clock is running from the day of the crash. Hiring an attorney early gives them the time to investigate thoroughly, gather evidence while it’s still fresh, and file your suit well before the deadline
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Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Attorney Today
The Thumbs Up Guys have helped car accident victims get the financial support they need to improve their lives since 2018. We’ve recovered a number of successful case results, received a host of positive client testimonials, and are prepared to put the same amount of time and commitment into your case as we’ve done for all of our past clients.
Don’t wait to get started. Now that you know you should hire a lawyer even after a minor car accident, reach out to our team and schedule a free consultation.
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