Average Car Accident Settlement in South Carolina

If you have recently experienced a car accident, it is natural to wonder whether you can claim compensation for your losses from any other party and what the average car accident settlement in South Carolina is. However, it is important to understand that averages do not account for the unique variables present in any given car accident case. An experienced attorney can help you determine the true potential value of your individual claim.

Damages in a Car Accident

Almost every car accident reported in the state results in damages, and it is possible for these damages to be economic or non-economic in nature. Economic damages are more straightforward as these are the direct financial losses suffered because of another party’s actions. Some of the most commonly reported economic damages from car accidents in South Carolina include:

• Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement costs, and the value of any personal items damaged or destroyed in the accident. If your vehicle was damaged beyond repair, you may be able to recover compensation for the total cash value of the vehicle.
• Medical expenses. Car accidents are capable of inflicting tremendous injuries, some of which may require extensive ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation for the victim to fully recover. If a defendant physically injured you, they are responsible for all the medical care you need to reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries.
• Lost income. The victim of a car accident may be unable to work for an extended time while they recover from their injuries, or they may have been permanently disabled and will not be able to work again in the future. It’s possible to claim compensation for lost income and lost future earning capacity after a car accident.

Your attorney can help you accurately assess the full scope of your claimable economic damages. In addition to these financial losses, you will also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. It may sound difficult to assign monetary value to these non-economic damages, but your attorney can provide helpful guidance on this aspect of your case and maximize the compensation you obtain.

It’s important to remember that auto insurance will likely be your primary avenue of recovery after a car accident, but most personal auto insurance policies will only cover bodily injury and property damage. If insurance does not fully compensate you for all of your losses after a car accident, you will need to prepare a personal injury suit to ensure the fullest possible recovery.

Success with your recovery efforts after a car accident hinges on your ability to prove fault for the accident. You must identify the party who caused the accident, prove exactly how they caused it, and then show the full extent of the damages they inflicted in the accident. An attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault for your accident and then guide you through the legal proceedings necessary for your recovery.

FAQs

Q: What Compensation Can I Claim for a Car Accident in South Carolina?

A: The compensation you can claim for a car accident depends on the severity of the accident and your resulting damages. If you can prove another party is directly responsible for causing the accident, you can hold them accountable for all economic losses they inflicted, such as your vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and lost income. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation, but auto insurance typically won’t cover this.

Q: How Do I Prove Fault for a Car Accident?

A: You can prove fault for a car accident in South Carolina by leveraging various forms of evidence, such as photos of the accident scene, testimony from witnesses who saw it happen, traffic camera footage, drivers’ cell phone records, and more. An experienced attorney can help their client gather this evidence to build a compelling case, proving fault for the accident and establishing liability for the resulting damages.

Q: How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in South Carolina?

A: The value of your car accident claim depends on the scope of the damages you suffered from the incident. While you may find statistics about the average car accident settlement in the state, it is vital to remember that every case is unique, and every injured plaintiff will have different challenges and opportunities when it comes to recovering their losses. Your car accident attorney can provide an estimate of your claim’s total value.

Q: What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Auto Insurance?

A: If the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, they face penalties from the state and will be personally responsible for your damages. If you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage with your own policy, you can file a claim through your own insurer to recover some compensation for your losses. However, you will likely need to prepare a personal injury suit against whoever caused the accident to hold them accountable for your damages.

Q: Can I Recover Compensation for My Damages if I Partially Caused the Accident?

A: It is possible to recover compensation for your damages if you partially caused the accident, but you should expect to lose a percentage of your case award to reflect this shared liability. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence law, when a plaintiff shares fault for their damages, they lose a percentage of their case award equal to their percentage of fault for causing the accident. If they are more at fault than the defendant, they cannot claim compensation.

The team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., has years of experience representing car accident victims in their recovery efforts throughout the state, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you. While you may have concerns about the average car accident settlement in South Carolina, it’s important to remember your case is unique. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an attorney who can estimate the total value of your claim.