Highway accidents are notorious for catastrophic injuries. High speeds and close proximity to other vehicles leave too much room for disaster. Getting into an accident on a regular road, in comparison to a highway crash, also involves more dynamics, and this is where a Greenville highway accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm, with decades of experience, can help you.
With the extent of the injuries you are now facing, there is a high likelihood you will need medical care. This should not be an issue you must figure out on your own if you were not at fault. If you need legal guidance, talking to a Greenville car accident lawyer should be your first step.
Common Factors That Lead to a Highway Accident
Thorough investigations are important to uncover the specific factors that led to the crash. Our team will analyze every detail to determine the cause of the accident so you can potentially hold the other driver accountable. Some of the most common causes of highway accidents in Greenville include the following:
- Reckless and aggressive behavior
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Talking on the phone or texting
- Changing lanes suddenly and unexpectedly
- Unsafe passing
- Inexperienced drivers
If you know the other driver was negligent, you have a right to provide proof. A Greenville personal injury lawyer can help you strategize. All you need to do is have the proof ready, and your lawyer can help put all the pieces together.
How We Can Help You Recover Eligible Compensation
When you go into any legal case, it is important to know there are no guarantees. While you may have proof that you are not at fault, that is not always enough. However, when you have an attorney on your side, you can increase the chances of winning your case.
Our team will begin the process by fully understanding the details of your case, which is why a consultation is so helpful and important. If you bring your police reports, witness statements, medical records, and any other forms of evidence, this can help make sure that your case has the best potential towards a successful outcome.
Once your case is created, our team will negotiate with the insurance companies. You will not have to speak with them yourself. Our main goal is to ensure we have the right strategy to fight for just compensation.
When Multiple Vehicles Are Involved
Having multiple vehicles involved in a car accident can make things more tricky. It can be harder to pinpoint who holds fault. There are some scenarios where various parties could even be at fault.
Each driver’s action, weather factors, and road conditions will all play a role and need to be thoroughly examined. This is why having as much proof as possible and any witnesses can help support your case.
You may consider asking how accident reconstruction works and how to get started. When you work with these professionals, they can recreate the accident scenario to show who would be the most likely to hold the fault. This is a significant piece of evidence to bring forward to the courtroom.
When It May Be Too Late to File Your Highway Accident Claim
Just like anything else, a highway accident claim is limited by the time you have to bring your case forward. For South Carolina, the South Carolina Code of Laws Title 15 shows that the state provides three years to file a claim. The date starts exactly when the crash happens.
Specific circumstances may affect this timeline. For example, if you got in a highway accident with a state-owned vehicle, the timeframe would likely be shorter. When a state or government vehicle is involved, the statute of limitations usually decreases to just two years.
Aside from following the strict timeline, not bringing your case forward and delaying the process can affect the validity of the evidence. Over time, certain forms of evidence, such as witness testimonies and preserving accident scene details, can change and become less reliable. Reaching out to a highway accident attorney in Greenville can make sure you stay within your timeframe.
Potential Types of Compensation for a Highway Accident
Several types of compensation may be available to you for your losses. There are forms of compensation that are meant for both long-term and immediate impacts. Some of the common forms of compensation include the following:
- Missing paychecks from not being able to go to work
- Reduced earning capacity when you are diagnosed with long-term or permanent disabilities
- Payouts for medical bills
- Replacement of your vehicle and property damage repair
If you can secure these forms of compensation, you may heal and recover easier. It is always worth pursuing to see if you can get help for all of the medical bills, missed work, and emotional pain you have to deal with as a result. To get the best potential payout, make sure you document everything that you lost as a result of the crash.
How South Carolina Views Negligence
According to the South Carolina Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act, we follow a modified comparative negligence protocol. If you are less than 51%at fault, you may be able to recover damages. Even if you are partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage assigned to you.
Let’s say you are 30% at fault for your highway accident rear-end collision. The total payout may be $100,00. This means you would end up receiving $70,000 for your share since you held some of the fault.
To get a portion of this, you will have to show some convincing evidence that you were no more than 51% at fault. If you can prove that the other driver held all or most of the fault, this will strengthen your claim. Bringing all of your paperwork and evidence to your first consultation can make everything go much smoother.
Work With Shelly Leeke Law for Your Highway Accident
Never put off seeking the compensation that could potentially help you. A Greenville highway accident attorney at Shelly Leeke Law will make sure your side of the story is heard.
Contact us to start the process with a free consultation.