One of the first contacts you should make following a serious South Carolina accident is to emergency assistance such as fire rescue, paramedics and police. These officials will help you with treating injuries, documenting the accident and confirming the safety of the area so no further injury is incurred.
Once you’re safe and your injuries are attended to, your next move should be to decide whether you will need to file a personal injury claim to recover damages from the accident. When the cause of the accident involved the negligence of another party, you have the right to claim damages related to your medical bills, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering.
Most personal injury claims will originate with your insurance company, but it is in your best interest to first speak with a Charleston personal injury lawyer. Experienced personal injury lawyers will have dealt with insurance companies many times and will know the tricks insurance companies use to reduce settlements or deny claims. By speaking to a lawyer first, you can avoid the common pitfalls many victims fall into when speaking to claims adjusters.
Once you’ve consulted with your lawyer, you can file your claim with the insurance company to recover your damages. A claim handled with the help of a personal injury lawyer will generally result in a fairer settlement that adequately addresses your financial needs.
Before speaking to lawyers and insurance companies, there are several other steps to take following a South Carolina accident to preserve evidence of your accident. An experienced Charleston personal injury lawyer is your best bet for collecting and organizing your evidence to obtain a fair settlement.
The Help of a Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer
South Carolina residents can take comfort knowing that the lawyers at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm are there to help them settle their personal injury claims. Our firm’s focus on personal injury cases includes injury from auto accidents, including pedestrian and bicycle injuries, work-related injuries and worker’s compensation claims, and injuries resulting from dangerous prescription drugs.
Before you file a South Carolina personal injury claim, request a copy of our complimentary consumer guide, The South Carolina Accident Book for Personal Injury Victims. When you’re ready to get started on settling your accident claim, contact a Charleston personal injury lawyer for a complimentary information packet and no-cost consultation – 888-690-0211.
