Car accidents can take you out of work for weeks and cost you tens of thousands of dollars. If you were in a crash someone else caused, you shouldn’t have to pay the consequences. A James Island car accident lawyer can help you get compensation.
Our team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward can help you get compensation for the bills you’ve had to pay and the wages you’ve missed. You can get a free consultation from a James Island personal injury lawyer who can assess your case and discuss your options.
Discuss your situation by calling or completing our online contact form.
Why You Should Work With a Car Accident Attorney
If you’re recovering from injuries suffered in a car crash, you’re in no position to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit by yourself. Even if you were in excellent health, filing a claim would be extremely difficult without the assistance of a seasoned attorney.
However, with the help of one of our car accident attorneys in James Island, you can file an evidence-based claim that can get you the damages you need to get back on your feet. Your lawyer will provide the following services to ensure that your claim is as successful as possible:
Investigate the Accident
To obtain the damages you need to pay your bills and cope with your pain, a lawyer will have to investigate what happened and gather evidence that shows why you need compensation for your accident. Evidence in a car accident case can include:
- Photos or videos of the accident
- Statements from witnesses who saw what happened
- Official reports
- Testimony from medical or forensics experts
Once our lawyers have collected and analyzed the evidence, they’ll likely be able to determine how your collision happened and who is to blame. Proving negligence is a critical step of the claims process, as it will help our James Island car accident attorneys secure a fair settlement from the insurance company.
Establish Negligence
In the legal world, negligence occurs when someone fails to uphold their duty of care. When on the road, a driver owes other motorists the duty of paying attention to the road, driving safely, and following traffic laws.
To prove negligence in your case, your car accident lawyer will have to show who caused your accident, what they did, how it affected you, and how much money you need for your accident. They’ll have successfully proved negligence if they establish the following elements:
- Who: Your car accident attorney must show who was at fault. The at-fault party owed you a duty of care and breached it.
- What: You’ll have to prove what the other party did to breach their duty of care.
- How: It’s not enough to show that the other party was negligent. You’ll also need to show how their negligence caused your accident and the damages that came along with it.
- How much: Finally, you and your lawyer must work together to calculate the total financial scope of your damages, including expenses you had to pay and the pain you suffered.
We can establish all these elements when handling your personal injury claim.
Negotiate an Insurance Settlement
South Carolina Code of Laws § 38-77-140 requires every driver to carry liability auto insurance. As a result, the other driver’s insurance company will most likely pay your damages. Insurers rarely offer full compensation for the claimant’s losses.
Instead, our car accident lawyers must negotiate with the company’s representatives. While this might sound difficult, you won’t have to worry about negotiations going sour, as our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with stubborn insurers.
Your lawyer will use their impressive negotiating skills and legal knowledge to convince the at-fault driver’s insurance provider that you deserve the highest payment possible for your injuries, suffering, and financial loss.
Handling an Auto Accident Lawsuit
Sometimes, insurance companies won’t agree to a fair settlement. In this situation, your personal injury lawyer may help you file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your accident, injuries, and financial losses. We can stand up for you in court after an automobile accident.
You Can Get Compensation After a Car Accident
A car accident attorney on James Island can use your receipts, bills, and other documents to calculate how much compensation you need to recover. Remember, you won’t just get compensation for the money you’ve lost.
You’ll also get compensation for the pain you’ve experienced and the adverse mental effects of your accident. If your claim is successful, you may receive money for the following losses:
Medical Expenses
Accident victims often sustain severe injuries, including concussions, broken bones, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and internal injuries. An experienced car accident attorney can help you secure fair compensation for your emergency care, time in a hospital, medications, and physical therapy.
Ideally, your compensation will cover more than just the expenses you’ve already paid. It will also help you pay for future damages, such as ongoing medical care, check-ups, and income that your condition prevents you from earning.
Lost Wages
The responsible party may need to cover your lost pay and diminished earning potential after a car crash. A personal injury attorney can track and factor these losses into your claim against a negligent driver.
Property Damage
Our law firm can help you secure funds to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle after a collision. We understand how costly repair bills can become after a crash.
Non-Economic Losses
You may also qualify for non-economic damages after a collision. These funds cover the emotional distress and mental trauma you sustained due to a crash. You may also receive compensation for your loss of consortium or companionship.
Contact us to learn how pain and suffering is determined in a car accident case.
Punitive Damages
In some situations, the court may award you additional punitive damages. These damages act to punish the individual responsible for your collision and are not available in all cases. We can provide legal advice about securing punitive damages and the rest of your rightful compensation.
Can a Lawyer Help After a Fatal Car Accident?
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal collision, we offer our condolences to you and your family. To help you and your family members make it through this challenging time, our car accident attorneys in James Island can help you file a wrongful death claim.
If successful, your wrongful death claim can offer financial support, help you cover funeral expenses, and allow you to grieve without worrying about paying your loved one’s medical bills. Depending on your circumstances, you may receive the following damages from a claim:
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Loss of financial support from the decedent
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
We’ll provide you with compassionate guidance after a fatal accident. We believe in holding the negligent parties accountable for their reckless and deadly actions. Our law firm can help after a crash caused by reckless driving, drunk driving, or distracted driving.
Why Select Us After a Car Accident on James Island?
Our team has years of experience providing legal representation to clients injured in motor vehicle accidents. We get to work quickly, respond to all of your questions, and develop a personalized strategy to bring you fair compensation from all liable parties.
We understand how to take legal action through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. We have a reputation for successfully resolving claims, which you can review through our case results. We’ve secured millions in damages for clients like you.
Cost to Hire Us for a Car Accident Claim
How much will it cost to hire a car accident lawyer? Our team can handle your car accident case on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, we’ll receive a percentage of your final compensation after we resolve your claim.
You only have to pay us for legal fees after we bring you damages to cover your losses through a legal claim.
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you sustained injuries in a collision, there are several steps you can take to make sure you’re safe and that you have the best chance of getting compensation. If you’re wondering what to do after a car accident, the professionals recommend that you:
Get Medical Attention
You should always make sure you’re safe before taking steps to strengthen your claim. Call an ambulance, and don’t refuse medical attention. Injuries that may seem minor now can cause major complications if not taken care of. You should also ensure you get an official diagnosis of any injuries you’ve suffered.
Getting Necessary Information
Talk to the other driver and get their name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance information. You also need to call the police and get an accident report from them.
These basic details and documents can help a car accident attorney from our team in James Island file an accurate and compelling claim.
Gathering Evidence
Gathering evidence at the crash scene can make your attorney’s job easier. You can take pictures of the damage to your car, the other party’s car, and your injuries.
You should also write down your own account of what happened while the events are still fresh in your mind.
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer
Before you sign anything or tell the insurance company your side of the story, you should consult with a car accident lawyer in James Island ASAP.
A lawyer can prevent other parties from taking advantage of you and twisting your words to reduce your compensation, making it worth getting a lawyer for a car accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
Once you’ve received medical attention for your injuries, don’t wait too long to speak with a lawyer. Delaying your claim could cause you to miss South Carolina’s filing deadline for a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you could risk missing out on compensation.
S.C. Ann §15-3-530 states that you have three years from the date of your crash to file a claim after a motor vehicle collision. To make sure your suit is submitted promptly, reach out to an attorney today. We’ll work quickly to meet the state’s deadline for car accident cases.
We Can Explain the Time to Resolve Your Claim
What is the court timeline of a car accident in South Carolina? The time it takes to resolve a claim for personal injury victims can vary based on the severity of your injuries and disputes over fault.
Auto accident lawyers may resolve an insurance settlement after a few months of negotiations in some situations. You can expect a car accident lawsuit to take more time to resolve. They may take over a year to result in compensation.
Your accident injury lawyer will stick with you until your claim is resolved.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in James Island Today
Dealing with injuries and getting back on your feet after a car crash takes a lot of time and energy. The last thing you need to worry about is the legal process or how you will get by financially. Luckily, the Thumbs Up Guys can handle your claim, so you can focus on recovering.
A James Island car accident lawyer from our firm can handle every aspect of your case, from investigation to insurance negotiations. Contact us online today for a FREE consultation with a representative from our firm. We charge nothing upfront.