When you have been injured in a highway accident, the trauma of what you have been through can be overwhelming. Between mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain of recovery, knowing what your next steps should be can feel impossible. Your Beaufort car accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm can provide the legal support you need to hold the liable party accountable.
With over 10 years of trial experience and availability 24/7, our legal team has helped thousands of accident victims secure the compensation they deserve. Your Beaufort highway accident lawyer will work diligently to investigate the cause of your crash, calculate the value of your damages, and ensure the liable party is held accountable for their recklessness.
Contact us today to schedule your 100% free consultation and learn more about how we can support you as you move forward with your life.
You Should Be Awarded Full Compensation for Your Damages
After a highway accident, you may be entitled to full financial compensation for the losses you have endured. Your Beaufort personal injury lawyer will carefully evaluate your case to determine the value of your damages. This can include compensation for economic, non-economic, and even punitive damages in some cases.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses you have experienced due to your accident. These losses are often straightforward and easier to calculate. Our team will ensure that all your economic damages are accounted for, including:
- Medical bills, hospital stays, prescription medications, medical devices and equipment, rehabilitation costs, and future healthcare expenses.
- Lost wages, loss of employee benefits, and diminished earning potential.
- Damage to your credit score and increased vehicle insurance premiums.
- Property damage to your vehicle, rental car expenses, and the diminished value of your car.
- Costs for in-home care or household services, including childcare expenses.
- Transportation expenses for medical appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that have affected your quality of life. These damages are more subjective but just as important to your overall recovery. Some examples of non-economic damages could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your reputation
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Shock or fear
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anticipation or apprehension
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship or support
- Loss of consortium
- Embarrassment and indignity
- Mental anguish
Punitive Damages
You might also wonder whether punitive damages may apply to your highway accident claim. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were particularly egregious or reckless. This is, in part, because these damages are not meant to compensate you for your losses but to punish the liable party and deter similar behavior in the future.
In South Carolina, there is a cap on punitive damages. You can receive three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater, under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-32-530. We will review the specific circumstances of your highway accident to determine whether your case qualifies for punitive damages and pursue them accordingly, where applicable.
Identifying the Cause of Your Highway Accident in Beaufort
Highway accidents in South Carolina are often preventable. Common causes of accidents on interstates and highways include distracted driving, such as texting or adjusting GPS settings, which diverts the driver’s attention from the road. Drunk driving also continues to be a leading cause of severe accidents, as impaired drivers struggle to make safe decisions or lack the reflexes needed to react to hazards.
Weather conditions can also play a significant role in highway accidents, particularly during heavy rain or icy conditions. Speeding drivers frequently lose control of their vehicles in dangerous weather conditions, putting everyone on the highway at risk. Additionally, poorly maintained roads or highways with insufficient signage can also contribute to collisions.
Truck accidents are another frequent cause of highway collisions, often due to driver fatigue or improperly loaded cargo. Other vehicles may also cause accidents through aggressive lane changes or failing to yield. Your Beaufort highway accident attorney with Shelly Leeke Law Firm will investigate every possible cause to determine who is at fault and hold them accountable for their negligent actions.
South Carolina Injury Laws That Could Impact Your Settlement
South Carolina law contains several provisions that can impact your injury claim. Your Beaufort catastrophic injury lawyer can help you figure out which of these laws will have the greatest impact on your claim and protect your right to compensation. Some of the most notable legal statutes to take note of include:
- Statute of limitations – You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit per S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530.
- Modified comparative negligence – If you are found partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover damages under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-38-15.
- Fault insurance laws – South Carolina follows an at-fault system, as described by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering damages.
Understanding these laws is crucial as you move through the personal injury claims process. Missing a deadline or failing to account for your share of fault could jeopardize your claim. Fortunately, your legal advocate with Shelly Leeke Law Firm will be by your side every step of the way to ensure we do what it takes to maximize your payout.
Get Help From a Respected Highway Accident Lawyer in Beaufort
Recovering from a highway accident can be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. Your highway accident attorney in Beaufort from Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you cope with your trauma, understand the complexities of the legal process, and demand the at-fault party be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Our team will investigate the cause of your accident, identify the liable party, calculate your damages, and fight aggressively for the justice you deserve. With over a decade of trial experience and a commitment to client advocacy, our team is here for you every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and begin to put this traumatic experience behind you. We are available 24/7 to provide the support you need when it matters most, so fill out our online contact form or call us to get started on your case as soon as today.
