Summerville Car Accident Lawyer

Summerville Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an auto accident, prioritizing an appointment with a Summerville car accident lawyer should be at the top of your list of things to do. The car accident attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., understand the potentially devastating effects an accident can have on your life, and we hope to promptly step in and offer tangible legal support and advice.

Why You Should Choose Axelrod & Associates, P.A.

At Axelrod & Associates, P.A., clients can anticipate professional, detailed legal care that provides relief and peace of mind. Our attorneys aim to understand our client’s needs and desires and form legal strategies that uplift an ideal outcome and fair legal trial. Our previous clients often praise our professionalism, understanding, care, and approach while working tirelessly to win our clients’ claims.

A client of ours recently won $125,000 in damages from a car accident where they were not at fault and were rear-ended due to the negligence of another driver who was traveling too fast for the traffic conditions of the road. We won $350,000 in settlements for another client who was unfortunately injured in an accident where they were hit by a negligent driver taking a left turn without taking proper care and hitting them in an intersection.

The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., understand how complicated car accidents can be regardless of fault, but we hope to step into your situation and guide you in the legal claims process while offering ourselves a trusted resource and ally along the way. We want to help you reach maximum compensation for your injuries and damages, just as we have with many of our other clients.

Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are many benefits to choosing to work with a car accident lawyer in Summerville; below are several of these reasons:

• Thorough Investigation: After an accident, individuals must be able to share legitimate evidence supporting the fault in the accident while also sharing detailed records on damages the injured party has sustained as a result of the accident. Attorneys are skilled in creating a thorough investigation by gathering police reports, footage of a crash, eyewitness testimony, analysis of vehicle damage, and more to prove fault and the extent of damages.
• Strategic Planning: Attorneys can compile the facts and evidence of a case, alongside their clients’ desired outcomes, to create a detailed legal strategy for advancing their case positively. A thorough legal strategy is an essential element of a successful case. Lawyers can predict the opposing parties’ tactics for lowering or refusing a settlement amount and create arguments in advance that support their client’s rights.
• Negotiation Skills: Attorneys are skilled negotiators. In car accident cases, typically, an insurance company will attempt to offer the lowest settlement amount possible, but with the support of an attorney, they will employ negotiation strategies that win their clients more favorable outcomes.
• Courtroom Experience: Navigating a courtroom setting can be overwhelming and stressful for most people, but attorneys thrive in this setting as they have had experience representing clients time and time again.
• Advice and Counsel: Throughout the whole process of a car accident case, an attorney is available to address their client’s concerns and questions. Their primary goal is to ensure their clients understand the legal process and are involved along the way so that there are no unnecessary surprises.

Why Is Fault Important in a Car Accident Case?

Fault is a crucial element in a car accident case as this proves which individual is liable for damages. In most car accident negotiations and settlements, the amount of damages awarded is directly linked to the fault of the accident. Even in cases where the accident was obviously not your fault, you will still need to prove this in negotiations or trials to receive a fair settlement.

Most Common Car Accident Types in South Carolina

Car accidents happen at a frequent pace, and being aware of the different types of accidents can provide prevention strategies and awareness for drivers and decrease the amount of accidents on the road. Below are common types of car accidents in South Carolina:

• Rear-end Collisions: Rear-end collisions are the most common type of motor vehicle accidents happening in many locations like intersections, highways, interstates, bus stops, and more. These accidents tend to occur if a road’s speed limit changes dramatically, drivers are distracted, speeding, impaired, fatigued, or not practicing proper vigilance. Many of these accidents lead to serious injuries like traumatic brain, spinal cord, and neck or back injuries.
• T-Bone Accidents: T-bone accidents can have catastrophic and deadly outcomes, especially when one or both cars are moving at high speeds. These accidents typically occur in intersections when one vehicle fails to yield to the right of way, ignores a stoplight or stop sign,
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents generally happen when a vehicle with higher centers of gravity is carrying a significant load or is incorrectly loaded, and a sudden swerve or mechanical failure leads the vehicle to roll over, often causing a multiple-car accident.
• Head-on Collisions: Head-on collisions have a higher likelihood of a crash leading to debilitating injuries or fatalities. Head-on collisions occur when the front of two vehicles collide directly with each other while moving in opposing traffic directions. These accidents happen due to impaired, fatigued, or distracted driving.
• Hit-and-Run Collisions: In every state, it is illegal to flee the scene of an accident that you have caused, but unfortunately, this still happens. In these types of accidents, it can be challenging to seek damages as the at-fault party is not accounted for.

Steps to Follow After a Car Accident in South Carolina

In the unfortunate event that you get into a car accident in Summerville, SC, there are general steps to follow to help the process progress smoothly:

• Assess Injuries and Damage and Move to Safety: If possible, take time to check yourself and other parties involved for injury and call emergency services immediately if necessary. If you are in a dangerous location, try to move to safety if possible.
• Report the Accident: Contact the police as soon as possible and ensure an official report is filed.
• Exchange Contact Information: Exchange contact information, including names, phone numbers or emails, and insurance information, with the other parties present. If possible, gather details from any eyewitnesses.
• Notify Insurance Company: Contact the insurance company immediately, as many have time limits on when communication is required to receive compensation for damages.
• Contact a Car Accident Attorney: If you are unsure of how to proceed or have questions surrounding the accident, reach out for the support of a local car accident lawyer to understand your options and rights.

Summerville Auto Accident FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Car Accident in South Carolina?

A: In the state of South Carolina, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date that an accident happened. An individual has three years to the date of an accident to file a legal claim against a liable and at-fault individual. While this is the general rule, there are exceptions, so if you are beyond this time frame or have a unique circumstance, contact a personal injury attorney in Summerville to review your options.

Q: Is South Carolina a No-Fault State?

A: South Carolina is not a no-fault state but instead follows an at-fault model. This indicates that individuals must be under 50% responsible for an accident in order to file a claim against an at-fault or negligent party. In at-fault states, individuals must provide strong and detailed evidence of the other party’s negligence to be rewarded with financial compensation.

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

A: While South Carolina is an at-fault state, it also follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means individuals who are even partially at fault for an accident can still pursue damage recovery. In general, the percentage of fault you had for the accident will reduce the amount of compensation you can receive by the same percentage. For example, if you were found 40% at fault with a total damage amount of $10,000, you would be eligible to receive $6,000.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in South Carolina?

A: The amount of time that it takes to settle a car accident claim in South Carolina is directly correlated with the specific circumstances of a claim. The specific circumstances that can impact a claims timeline include the severity of damages and injuries, fault determinations, negotiation process, legal proceedings, and the responsiveness of all parties involved. Due to the variance of these factors, the timeline can be highly unpredictable.

Contact a Summerville Car Accident Lawyer Today

Axelrod & Associates, P.A., invites you to set up a consultation today and allow us to learn about the details of your case and how we can step in to support you. From initial consultation to final resolutions, our team is here for you each step of the way. We offer tailored legal strategies and support while creating a safe space for you to ask questions and share concerns.