James Island Car Accident Lawyer

Unfortunately, car accidents are not rare occurrences. The damages drivers suffer from accidents can take them out of work for weeks and cost them tens of thousands of dollars. If you were in a crash that someone else caused, you shouldn’t have to pay the consequences.

A James Island car accident lawyer from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys 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 with a personal injury attorney in South Carolina who can assess your case and tell you what your options are.

Why You Should Work With a James Island Car Accident Attorney

If you’re recovering from injuries suffered in a car crash, you’re probably 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 is likely to 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’re owed 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

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. This is a critical step of the claims process, as proving negligence will help our James Island car accident attorneys secure a fair settlement from the insurance company.

Establish Negligence

In the legal world, negligence is the failure to uphold the duty of care. The duty of care is the responsibility that everyone has to treat others with a reasonable degree 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 you’re owed 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 will be the one that 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 will need to work together to calculate the full financial scope of your damages, including expenses you had to pay and the pain you suffered.

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. That being said, insurers are almost never immediately willing to offer full compensation for the claimant’s losses.

Instead, our James Island car accident lawyers will have to sit down and negotiate with the company’s representatives. While this might sound like a difficult task, you won’t have to worry about negotiations going sour, as our attorneys have a great deal of experience dealing with stubborn insurers.

Your lawyer will draw on 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.

Recovering Compensation After a Car Accident

A car accident attorney from James Island will 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 negative mental effects of your accident.

If your claim is successful, you may receive money for the following losses:

• Medical expenses
• Ongoing costs for physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Property damage
• Repair bills
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Ideally, your compensation won’t just cover the expenses you’ve already paid. It will also help you pay for future damages like ongoing medical care, check-ups, and income that your condition prevents you from earning.

Losing a Loved One in 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 difficult time, our car accident attorneys located 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

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved 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. Steps to take after a car accident include:

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 that 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 effective claim.

Gathering Evidence

If you’re able, you can make your attorney’s job easier by gathering evidence at the scene of the crash. That can include taking 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 will be able to keep other parties from taking advantage of you and twisting your words to reduce your compensation.

Don’t Delay Hiring a James Island Attorney for Your 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 the compensation you’re owed.

S.C. Ann §15-3-530 states that you have three years from the date of your crash to file a car accident suit. To make sure your suit is submitted promptly, reach out to a James Island attorney today. They’ll work quickly to meet the state’s deadline for car accident cases.

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 team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys 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 to get a FREE consultation with a representative from our firm. We charge nothing upfront.