4701 Oleander Drive, Suite A
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
4701 Oleander Drive, Suite A
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Car accidents can result from a wide range of factors. When a collision is the result of another driver’s negligence, however, the at-fault party is legally responsible for covering the ensuing damages. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, even if you are partially to blame, reach out to a Georgetown car accident lawyer to begin recovering compensation for your injuries and loss.
Partnering with a local car accident attorney can be the most effective way to secure the compensation you deserve. The personal injury team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., can work diligently to obtain the most favorable outcome in your case by assessing the evidence, evaluating the damages, and fighting to reach a settlement when filing your claim.
We have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and helping clients receive what they need to reach a full recovery after an accident.
While there are many potential factors that could lead to a vehicle collision, understanding some of the most common reasons that car crashes occur can assist you in identifying responsible parties. Generally, car accidents result from one or more of the following:
Insurance companies are typically reluctant to pay out claims and may attempt to mitigate or avoid responsibility in order to increase their profits. South Carolina is a comparative fault state, meaning that if they try to demonstrate that you shared fault in the accident, it could reduce the final settlement amount. For this reason, it is important that you work with a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney to help handle your claim.
Your car accident attorney can provide guidance throughout the legal process, protect your rights, and petition for a fair settlement amount from the at-fault party. There are several skills and strategies your attorney may use to help obtain the most favorable outcome in your case, including:
By employing these and other strategies and roles, your attorney is most suited to ensure that your rights are protected and that the at-fault party is held legally responsible to cover the damages caused by their negligence.
When seeking a settlement for a car accident in Georgetown, South Carolina, your claim should seek to recover damages for all costs associated with your injury, property damage, and the suffering you experienced as a result of the accident. The settlement should include economic damages and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages in some cases.
Your attorney can help you understand what your case is worth by assessing the details of your case and evaluating the extent and severity of your injuries and loss compared with the assignment of fault for the accident.
In South Carolina, settlement amounts can vary widely depending on your circumstances. The extent of the property damage involved, the severity of the injuries, and the share of fault in your accident will all impact the final settlement amounts.
Generally, you can expect to recover damages for medical costs, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other potential damages, such as punitive damages. This could result in anywhere from a couple thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
South Carolina courts place no particular value on pain and suffering, meaning the exact amount will be dependent on the details of the case. Generally, these damages are calculated by considering the severity of the pain experienced, the suffering inflicted by the injury, and the present and future loss of enjoyment of life. Pain and suffering damages tend to be at least 1.5 to two times the total economic damages calculated in the settlement.
Most attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that all legal fees will be covered with a percentage of the settlement. This amount tends to be between 33% to 45% of the gross settlement. The exact amount can vary based on the experience of the attorney, the complexity of the case, and whether the case settles in or out of court. When hiring a car accident attorney, it is important to discuss payment arrangements from the very beginning.
Most car accident cases will settle during the pre-trial phase to avoid trial. Taking a claim to court is a risky and expensive legal endeavor, and most insurance companies and defending parties will try to avoid letting the claim reach this point. After the discovery phase, in which each side can gather evidence, assess the situation, and exchange documentation, the defense is usually more willing to agree to a settlement. Your attorney can negotiate for a fair settlement amount.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, the at-fault party should be held liable for the damages you’ve suffered as a result. Ensure you recover the full extent of compensation to which you are entitled by working with an experienced Georgetown car accident lawyer. Our team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., is ready to help make you whole again after your accident. Contact our office today.
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