Following a pedestrian accident in which you sustained severe injuries, obtaining compensation from the responsible party is essential for putting your life back on track. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Rock Hill can assist you in determining liability and filing a claim, ensuring you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve for your losses.
The Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward have recovered millions of dollars for our personal injury clients. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly to help you construct a strong case against the at-fault party. Contact us today to schedule your free initial case review with one of our Rock Hill personal injury lawyers and discover what we can do to assist you after an accident.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover After a Pedestrian Accident in Rock Hill
If you have sustained serious injuries in a pedestrian accident, there are various types of damages you may be eligible to pursue. It’s crucial to understand that each pedestrian accident case is unique, which means the available compensation can differ from one case to another.
All the compensatory damages you can seek are generally categorized as either economic or non-economic damages.
Economic Damages You Can Recover
Economic damages are meant to reimburse injury victims for financial losses directly resulting from their accident. Some of the most common economic damages available in pedestrian accident cases include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Ambulance fees
- Prescription medication costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Hospital bills
- Future medical expenses
Non-Economic Damages You Can Claim
Any additional losses you experience related to your pedestrian accident fall under the category of non-economic damages. Some of the most common non-economic damages available in pedestrian accident cases include:
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
If a loved one was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident, a Rock Hill wrongful death lawyer can help you recover additional damages, including funeral and burial expenses.
In certain severe cases, the court may award punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are granted only if the responsible party acted with intent to cause harm or demonstrated criminal negligence. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse victims for their losses, punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault party.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help You Obtain the Compensation You Need
Hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer in Rock Hill provides many benefits. Not only does it increase your chances of recovering fair compensation for your injuries, but it also allows you to focus on your health and well-being while your attorney manages the legal aspects of your case.
When you work with a pedestrian accident attorney, they will likely undertake several important steps on your behalf, including:
- Conducting a comprehensive investigation of your accident to determine liability and gather essential evidence
- Acquiring a copy of the police report associated with the accident
- Interviewing witnesses and consulting experts
- Assessing your damages and calculating the total value of your claim
- Filing an insurance claim or submitting a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party
- Building a strong case that supports your claim
- Handling negotiations with the insurance company or the lawyers representing the responsible party
- Representing you at trial if a settlement deal cannot be achieved
Your attorney will also shield you from deceptive tactics frequently used by insurance companies to minimize or deny payment of your claim.
Proving Liability in a Pedestrian Accident
After you hire an attorney, one of their main responsibilities will be to identify who is to blame for your injuries. You will not be able to pursue compensation until you determine the party from whom you are seeking damages. Proving liability can be challenging, as several parties may bear different levels of fault.
Fortunately, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Rock Hill will know exactly what evidence to look for and how to conduct an investigation into the details of your accident to accurately identify who is at fault for your injuries.
South Carolina’s Comparative Negligence Laws
When determining your right to pursue compensation for your injuries, it’s essential to understand the comparative negligence laws in South Carolina. These laws acknowledge that multiple parties may share responsibility for a pedestrian accident. If you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, your potential recovery will be adjusted accordingly.
The amount you can claim for your losses will be directly proportional to your level of fault. For example, if you are assessed as 40% responsible for the accident, you will only be able to recover 60% of the total value of your claim. Likewise, if your fault is evaluated at 10%, you could recover 90% of your claim’s full value.
However, if your degree of fault is greater than 50%, you will be unable to seek compensation for your losses. In this case, you might actually face claims from others attempting to recover damages from you and your insurance company.
The Cost of Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
One of the main concerns that prevents accident victims from hiring a lawyer is the fear of expensive attorney fees. However, financial worries should never stand in the way of your obtaining legal help after an accident.
At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we operate on a results-based payment system. Our pedestrian accident lawyers serving Rock Hill work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only collect a fee if we successfully secure compensation on your behalf.
With this contingency fee structure, you won’t have to pay any upfront costs or hourly rates. Instead, your attorney will take a predetermined percentage of the amount you recover as their fee. This arrangement ensures that all accident victims can access legal representation, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Get Help From an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Rock Hill Today
When choosing a pedestrian accident lawyer in Rock Hill, it’s essential to find someone with a proven track record of handling cases similar to yours. At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we have been helping accident victims obtain fair compensation for their losses for years.
Contact The Thumbs Up Guys today by phone or by completing our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Feel free to read our client testimonials to get a better sense of the quality of service you can expect from our team.