Longs Car Accident Lawyer

Longs Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are an overwhelming and frequently traumatic experience. Even minor accidents often result in complicated insurance claims, fault determinations, and immediate and lasting financial consequences. In South Carolina, claims are filed with the insurance provider of the driver who was at fault for the accident. To do this, the at-fault party has to be determined.

Insurance claims can be difficult to negotiate, even when the at-fault party is clear, and these negotiations can be more difficult if you are suffering painful injuries. It is even more overwhelming when an insurance claim isn’t enough to cover the damages in a serious accident. In these situations, you may be able to file an additional personal injury claim to make up for lost wages, medical costs, future complications, and other losses. An attorney is an invaluable asset, whether you are only filing an insurance claim or filing both claims. A personal injury attorney in Longs, SC can investigate the accident, determine fault, and negotiate for a better settlement.

Axelrod & Associates: Helping You Navigate the Aftermath of a Car Accident

The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates understand how overwhelming and stressful everything can feel after a car accident. Even minor accidents have challenges, and more severe accidents can be life-altering. We want to be the legal support you need to get through this time and get the compensation you deserve.

Our attorneys have over 100 years of collective experience, and we are proud to serve our community in Longs. We can help you navigate and file insurance and personal injury claims, negotiate on your behalf, review the accident, and work to get the compensation that you need to cover damages and remain financially stable. We attempt to negotiate out of court, but if an insurance company will not provide the compensation you need, we are not afraid to take your claim to court.

When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim can be filed, in addition to an insurance claim, with the at-fault driver in certain circumstances. This includes:

• The insurance claim doesn’t cover the scope of your damages.
• The at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance.
• A third party, such as a vehicle manufacturer or a trucking company, is partially or fully liable for the accident.

Your attorney can help you determine the most effective way to maximize the compensation from one or both claims.

Damages Available in a Personal Injury Car Accident Claim

Your settlement amount is dependent on the severity of the damages you suffered as a direct result of the car accident. The types of damages that are available in a personal injury claim are:

• Economic damages. These are calculable damages suffered in an accident. This includes medical costs (present and future), rehabilitative and long-term care costs, property damages, lost wages, lost future earning potential, and other financial losses.
• Noneconomic damages. These damages are not quantifiable and include pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, mental anguish, and other emotional damages.
• Punitive damages. These are rare in car accident claims but possible. These are damages that the court awards when the at-fault party acted maliciously or grossly negligently. Punitive damages are assigned as punishment for the at-fault party, rather than to compensate for any loss.

Many people filing personal injury claims underestimate the scope of damages available to them, especially when calculating noneconomic damages or potential future economic damages. An attorney has significant experience calculating these costs and can help ensure that you get the compensation you need.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Bad road and weather conditions
• Fatigued drivers
• Vehicle defects
• Inexperienced drivers

When drivers act recklessly or negligently by being distracted or driving under the influence, they can be held at fault for a car accident.

Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

Q: How Long Do Most Car Accident Settlements Take?

A: The length of time that a car accident claim takes to settle relies on many factors, including:

• The complexity of the case
• The severity of your injuries and damages
• How long your injuries take to stabilize
• If you have an effective personal injury lawyer
• If an insurance provider or at-fault party is cooperative
• If there are any disputes
• Any legal delays
• Whether the case is settled in negotiations or enters litigation

A car accident claim may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, possibly even several years.

Q: How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance in South Carolina?

A: The impact of a car accident on your insurance will depend on the unique insurance provider and their policy. Generally, a car accident will remain on your insurance record for 3 to 5 years, regardless of whether you were at fault for the accident or not. It is a good idea to ask your insurance provider about their policy on this after the accident.

Q: Can You Get Compensation If the Auto Accident Was Your Fault in South Carolina?

A: If an accident was entirely your fault, you cannot receive compensation. However, if you are partially at fault, you could still obtain compensation for your injuries and damages. South Carolina operates under modified comparative negligence laws. The court will determine each party’s shared percentage of fault in the accident. If your percentage fault is 50% or less, you can receive compensation. However, your final settlement amount is reduced by your percentage fault.

Q: How Long Do You Have to Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident in South Carolina?

A: You should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible after a car accident, particularly if you will need to file an insurance claim or personal injury claim. Your attorney can advise you on how to talk with any insurance providers and how to document evidence and damages from the accident.

A car accident or personal injury claim has a statute of limitation of 3 years from the date the accident occurred in South Carolina. However, it is not recommended that you wait that long. The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the less evidence there will be to work with and the less likely it is that you can get the compensation you deserve.

Contact Axelrod & Associates

At Axelrod & Associates, we want to provide personalized and dedicated legal care when you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident. Contact our team today. While you recover, we can manage complex legal issues and fight for your interests.