Car crashes can cause severe injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a Knightsville personal injury lawyer can help you pursue a settlement.
A car accident can lead to exorbitant medical costs, damage to your car, and emotional trauma. You shouldn’t have to pay for any of these damages.
Since 2018, the Thumbs Up Guys have recovered millions for clients like you. Our Knightsville car accident lawyers have a history of fighting for our clients, and if you’ve been injured in a car accident, we can help you pursue compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Unfortunately, car crashes are a pervasive aspect of modern life, claiming millions of lives and causing countless injuries each year. These incidents can be caused by a wide array of factors, ranging from human errors to weather conditions to mechanical failures.
Some of the most common causes of collisions include:
- Distracted driving: This includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving. A Knightsville car accident attorney can help you if you were injured in a car crash by a distracted driver.
- Speeding: Driving at speeds higher than the posted speed limits or otherwise too fast for certain roads can lead to collisions.
- Impaired driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication can impair judgment and reaction times. A drunk driving lawyer from MDSW can help you procure compensation if a drunk driver has injured you.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and excessive lane changing can cause crashes.
- Running red lights and stop signs: Disobeying traffic signals and signs can lead to intersection collisions.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving can impair a driver’s ability to react quickly and make sound judgments.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, and fog can reduce visibility and road traction, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, uneven road surfaces, poor road design, and lack of proper signage can contribute to accidents.
- Mechanical failures: Vehicle defects or failures like brake malfunctions or tire blowouts can lead to crashes.
- Inexperienced drivers: New drivers may lack the skills and experience to handle challenging road situations.
- Failing to yield the right of way: Failure to yield the right of way when required can result in collisions, especially at intersections.
- Running off the road: Drivers may lose control and run off the road due to various factors, including distractions or fatigue.
- Aggressive driving: Aggressive behaviors like road rage can escalate into accidents.
- Inadequate signaling: Failure to use turn signals or brake lights can confuse other drivers and lead to collisions.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Knightsville, call (843) 380-8350
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes can result in a wide range of injuries. Some of the most common types of crashes for which people file claims include:
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is frequently caused by car crashes, particularly rear-end collisions. It occurs when the head is forcefully jolted back and forth, straining the neck muscles and ligaments.
While whiplash is generally considered a minor injury, it can lead to chronic pain if left untreated.
Head and Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which include concussions, are common in high-impact crashes. Even with airbags, the head can hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, causing bruising or internal damage to the brain.
Untreated head injuries can result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of a collision often impacts the spine, causing herniated discs, fractures, or in severe cases, spinal cord damage. These injuries can lead to chronic back pain, mobility issues, or even paralysis.
Broken Bones
The arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis are particularly vulnerable in car accidents. Bones can break when the crash impacts them or when the body is thrown against the car’s interior.
These injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, or extensive recovery periods.
Cuts and Bruises
Flying debris, broken glass, or contact with hard surfaces in the vehicle can cause lacerations and contusions. While cuts may seem superficial, they can lead to infections or scarring if not properly treated.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, are not always immediately apparent after a car accident. However, these injuries can be life-threatening and often require emergency medical intervention.
For this reason, it’s critical to visit a doctor after a car accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records will be essential for insurance claims and legal actions related to the collision.
Knightsville Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (843) 380-8350
Why Do I Need to Hire a Knightsville Car Accident Lawyer?
There are many reasons why you should hire a personal injury lawyer to help you with your car accident claim. A car accident lawyer in Knightsville will:
- Help you gather evidence critical to winning a settlement
- Provide you with legal advice and answer all questions regarding your case
- Handle all of your communications with other parties
- Consult with various experts to gather information that supports your case
The primary reason you should hire a Knightsville car accident lawyer is to fight back against the insurance company. You may think that these companies are on your side, but most want to pay you the bare minimum, even if you were in a terrible crash.
An experienced auto accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to protect your rights and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
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The Cost of Hiring a Knightsville Car Accident Lawyer
When people think about lawyers, they often imagine paying hefty retainers and being charged every time their attorney answers the phone. While this is how some lawyers operate, this picture doesn’t accurately represent personal injury attorneys.
Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we only collect a fee if we’re able to recover compensation for our clients. The fee will be a prearranged percentage of your payout, so you won’t have to worry about your lawyer taking the lion’s share of your settlement after the conclusion of your case.
You can think of your Knightsville car accident attorney as someone who works for free. We don’t get paid unless you do. For that reason, we’re motivated to help you secure the biggest payout possible.
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How Is Liability Determined in a Car Accident in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, car accident liability is based on an at-fault system, meaning the driver responsible for the crash is liable for damages.
South Carolina also enforces a comparative negligence rule. Under this system, multiple parties can be held at fault for a collision. As a South Carolinian, the amount you can recover will depend on how much fault you are assigned.
For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault for a collision, you will only be able to recover 70% of the full value of your claim. If your fault level is above 50%, you will not be able to recover damages at all. In fact, the other party may attempt to recover damages from you.
Determining liability involves analyzing police reports, eyewitness statements, and evidence from the scene of the crash, such as photos and traffic violations. In some cases, liability may extend to other parties, like vehicle manufacturers (for defects) or government agencies (for poor road maintenance).
Should I Accept the Initial Offer From the Insurance Company?
You should never accept the initial offer made by insurance companies. An experienced auto accident lawyer can fight for a fair settlement on your behalf and, if necessary, go to trial.
What Kind of Damages Can You Collect in a Car Accident Claim?
After a car crash in South Carolina, you can recover compensation for both economic losses and non-economic losses. These damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death due to fatal car accidents
- Medical bills
- Vehicle repairs
- Loss of income
If any of your damages aren’t listed above, don’t worry. As long as you can prove that they resulted from the collision, it won’t be difficult to factor them in.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Knightsville will stand by you to make sure no damage gets left out of your settlement. We want to see you receive the maximum compensation available for your personal injury claim.
How Much Money Can I Get for a Car Accident Settlement?
Since every case is different, there is no one answer as to how much money you can recover in a South Carolina car accident settlement.
The value of auto accident settlements varies from case to case. Some auto accident victims receive tens of thousands, while others receive millions.
The amount of money you receive will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and the type of accident that occurred. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Knightsville can provide an estimate based on your situation.
Get a Reward for Punitive Damages
South Carolina law allows car accident victims to recover an award for punitive damages, which serve as punishment against a negligent driver.
Usually, a car accident case can qualify for punitive damages if:
- The driver was egregiously negligent in their actions
- The driver was committing a crime when the collision happened
- The driver was intentionally trying to harm or kill others
While not every case qualifies for punitive damages, our lawyers will ensure that you receive them if your case does.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is generally three years. If the crash involves a government vehicle or hazardous road conditions caused by a government agency, you must file a claim within two years.
If you fail to file within this time frame, you may forfeit your right to file a compensation claim in South Carolina. A car accident attorney can ensure your claim is filed on time.
How Do I Get the Best Settlement from a Car Accident?
To secure the best settlement after a car crash in South Carolina, you should document your injuries, collect evidence at the accident scene, and avoid accepting low-ball offers from insurance companies.
Most importantly, to win a big settlement, you must prove that the other driver was at fault. An experienced car accident attorney can help you secure fair compensation.
How Long Do Most Car Accident Settlements Take?
Since every case is unique, there is no standard for how long it takes to resolve a car accident claim. Some cases are resolved within a few months, while others take a year or longer.
The timeline for a car accident settlement can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the extent of the victim’s injuries, and whether liability is disputed. Cases involving severe injuries, multiple parties, or complex legal issues generally take longer than cases that don’t.
An experienced car accident attorney can expedite the personal injury claim process and help you procure financial compensation as quickly as possible.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Knightsville?
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Knightsville, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights and increase your odds of a fair settlement.
Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911: Contact local authorities to report the collision. The police will create a car accident report that you’ll need for your claim.
- Exchange Information: Swap names, contact details, and insurance information, including license plate and driver’s license numbers, with the other driver.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, and any visible injuries.
- Collect Witness Information: If there are any witnesses, get their contact information.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, visit a doctor to check for injuries. Some symptoms may not be readily apparent.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the collision to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Be sure to avoid admitting fault or giving any other statements that could be used against you.
- Consult an Attorney: If you’ve sustained significant injuries, contact a car accident attorney to begin building a case.
Talk to A Car Accident Attorney in Knightsville Today
The aftermath of motor vehicle collisions can be overwhelming. Physical injuries, emotional distress, and mounting bills can make it difficult to know what to do next.
You don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. A dedicated Knightsville car accident attorney from The Thumbs Up Guys can assess your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
You deserve quality representation. Reach out today to schedule a free case review and begin pursuing justice.
Call or text (843) 380-8350 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
