Pawleys Island Car Accident Lawyer

Pawleys Island Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are a daily occurrence in South Carolina, and every community sees quite a few on a regular basis. The constant hope anytime there’s an accident is for the safety of everyone involved, from the driver to any passengers or pedestrians caught up in the accident. If someone injured you due to reckless driving, you need to call a Pawleys Island car accident lawyer to seek compensation.

You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, repair expenses, and mental anguish from the crash, but it isn’t always easy to get the money you deserve. This is where an attorney comes in. They can fight for you with the insurance company and get you the help you need.

Can Axelrod & Associates Help Me After a Car Accident?

At Axelrod & Associates, we have plenty of experience handling car accidents so victims can get a life-changing settlement. We can handle negotiations with the insurance company, and if the case gets to court, we’ll represent you there, too. We stand by our clients every step of the way to help them through every facet of the legal system.

Our team has over 100 years of combined experience working in the legal system, and we can work to get you paired with an attorney and a legal strategy that is appropriate for your case. We treat our Pawleys Island, SC clients as our top priority and can work tirelessly to get you an acceptable outcome after your accident.

Is South Carolina an At-Fault State Regarding Car Accidents?

Some states do not allow motorists to file a claim against another driver, even if it is clear the other party is at fault for the crash. South Carolina is not one of those states. After an accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation from another driver, providing they were at fault in the scenario.

Proving fault is not always easy, and determining why someone caused a wreck is difficult. You’ll have to speak with an insurance agent and try to demonstrate the fault of the other party. Here are some of the most common reasons for car crashes in South Carolina:

• Drunk driving: Driving while under the influence of any drugs will lead to a driver with impaired reflexes and slower reaction times. They may drift over the center line and strike a car, or the driver may not be able to stop in time since they aren’t reacting fast enough. If a person is drunk, the court will likely agree they were at fault for the accident.
• Distracted driving: It’s easier than ever to get distracted while you’re out for a drive. You could be chatting with a passenger, talking on the phone, texting someone, or fiddling with the touch screen in your car. Regardless of the reason, anyone who causes an accident from being distracted will likely have to pay compensation to the other party.
• Inexperience: Each year, new drivers take to the road after getting their license or learner’s permit. While this is an exciting time in their lives, it can also lead to an accident. While inexperience does not constitute fault in and of itself, it can lead to a driver failing to follow the rules of the road and causing an accident.
• Equipment failures: The law expects motorists to keep their vehicles in working condition if they’re going to be on the road. While the law won’t punish someone whose car just happened to blow a tire and cause a crash, it will punish those who didn’t keep their vehicle in working order when taking it out on the road.

What Are the Common Injuries People Sustain From Car Accidents?

It’s no secret that car accidents can easily cause injuries. The high-speed nature of most accidents and the hazards of a car can lead to some grisly injuries from even minor-looking incidents. Some common injuries include:

• Broken bones: Your body might fly around after the crash, which can easily lead to you breaking a bone or two. While most bone breaks are not life-threatening, they will take some time to heal and can mess with your working arrangements and life.
• Whiplash: Many drivers report feeling whiplash after an accident. During the crash, your head will likely fly forward or backward and cause neck strain. Whiplash isn’t easy for doctors to detect, so you’ll have to make sure you go to a doctor who has experience working with whiplash and can identify its symptoms.
• Concussions: Modern research has shown us just how damaging even a minor concussion can be for someone when looking at their long-term health. You can slam your head against several things during an accident, including the door, dashboard, or steering wheel.
• Lacerations: During an accident, there are plenty of opportunities to suffer severe cuts and lacerations. Broken glass often goes flying during the crash, and it’s easy to find yourself with a major cut demanding stitches.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Get After a Car Accident?

After an accident, you’ll be able to negotiate with the other party’s insurance agency to seek compensation for the crash. Sometimes, the insurance company will give you everything you ask for, but in other instances, you may need to fight for your compensation.

The primary benefit you should seek in a settlement is reimbursement for medical expenses. This can be as simple as money for your visit to the hospital where they stitched you up or as comprehensive as the costs of your long-term care. You’ll want to speak with a doctor after the accident and get accurate medical records about the care you received and any future attention you’ll need to bring you back to full strength.

In other instances, you may be able to make the other party pay for your property damage and any wages you missed out on while you were recovering from the accident. You may be able to seek damages for pain and suffering, and a judge may order the defendant to pay punitive damages if you demonstrate they displayed gross negligence.

Should I Hire An Attorney After a Pawleys Island Car Accident?

You should absolutely hire an attorney after a car accident. While you can handle your car accident litigation on your own, you’ll likely have a much more difficult time proving your case than if you hired an attorney to represent you. Having an experienced Pawleys Island car accident lawyer on your side gives you a better shot at securing a settlement.

When seeking a settlement, you’ll have to do plenty of negotiating and discussing with the insurance company. Your attorney will be able to speak the insurance agent’s language and should have a good idea of what you stand to gain from the settlement. They won’t allow the insurance agent to suggest a bad deal.

If the case goes to court because the insurance agency is fighting to prevent you from getting the settlement you should, your attorney will be right there to represent you and work to get you the full compensation. Your attorney will know any pertinent precedent and case law and use that to your advantage to try to secure a settlement.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Settlement After a Car Accident in SC?

A: This is a difficult question to answer without knowing the specifics of a case. The settlement will depend on the type of medical care you need, the damage to your vehicle, and any aggravating circumstances for the other party. In general, some settlements reach up to several hundred thousand dollars, and some go as low as $30,000.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim After a Pawleys Island Car Accident?

A: In South Carolina, you have until three years after the incident to bring a claim against the other driver. While this is the statute of limitations for legal action, there is another time limit for motorists after an accident. The state requires you to report an accident after it happens, and you’ll have 15 days to do so. If you don’t report the accident, you may not be able to file a claim.

Q: What Should I Do After I’m Involved in a South Carolina Car Accident?

A: You should check for any injuries with everyone involved and call for emergency transport if anyone needs it. Then, you need to photograph any damages and injuries for records. Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance coverage and a number to reach them. You’ll have to call your insurance company and report the accident at a later date.

Q: How Do You Calculate Pain and Suffering in SC?

A: Establishing a settlement after an accident is anything but a perfect science, and pain and suffering is one of the trickiest parts to calculate. You’ll need to work with your lawyer to try to figure out a reasonable amount based on factors like physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental health issues.

Axelrod & Associates: Your Local Car Accident Attorneys

After a car wreck, you’ll be feeling a swarm of emotions and pain. That’s why you need to speak with an attorney who can handle the case and let you focus on recovery.

At Axelrod & Associates, we’ve helped countless people with recovery after their car accidents. We can advocate for you in court and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.