If a driver is reckless and causes an accident that leaves you injured, hold this individual accountable. Let an Orangeburg reckless driving accident lawyer assist you. Your attorney can help you recover compensation for your crash-related losses.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has more than a decade of experience handling personal injury cases. Allow an Orangeburg car accident lawyer from our team to help you get compensation from a reckless driver. Schedule a free case consultation with us.
When Driving Is Considered Reckless
Driving is considered reckless when a driver disregards the safety of others. A driver is acting recklessly when they do things like speed or operate their vehicle while distracted. If a reckless driver gets into an accident, this individual can be deemed responsible for all associated losses.
An Orangeburg personal injury lawyer can share details about how car accident settlements get paid and other legal topics relating to your case. They can determine if you have grounds for requesting compensation. If you submit an insurance claim, they can guide you through the process of securing compensation from a liable driver or their insurer.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm offers a guidebook for South Carolina accident victims and other resources to help you with your reckless driving crash case. We can help you pursue maximum compensation from a reckless motorist.
What to Expect if You Submit an Orangeburg Reckless Driving Accident Claim
South Carolina has rules relative to automobile insurance. If you own and drive a car in the state, you must purchase auto insurance coverage. That way, you are protected financially if you are responsible for an accident.
Following a reckless driving collision, inform your car insurance company about the incident. Your insurer can reach out to the other driver’s insurance carrier. The businesses can determine who is liable for your crash.
A reckless driving accident lawyer in Orangeburg can help you with your claim. If the other driver involved in your accident was reckless, but their insurance carrier does not want to provide you with compensation for your losses, you have options. In this scenario, your attorney may encourage you to seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
How Much Time You Have to File a Reckless Driving Crash Lawsuit
You may have at most three years from the date of your auto crash to pursue damages as part of a lawsuit. A reckless driving accident attorney in Orangeburg can explain the statute of limitations for auto crashes in depth. They can provide insights into what can happen if you lose a car accident lawsuit and help you avoid this scenario.
If you file a lawsuit, you may have to go in front of a judge or jury. You and your attorney can present your case in court, and the defendant and their lawyer share their respective argument. Next, the court decides whether to award damages.
There could be opportunities to settle your case before your trial. The defendant could offer a settlement, and you can review this offer with your attorney. If you decide to accept it, you can get compensation in less time than what would be required with a trial.
Compensation You Can Receive in an Orangeburg Reckless Driving Accident Lawsuit
Your Orangeburg reckless driving accident attorney can answer any questions you have about what are compensatory damages and how they relate to your case. They will encourage you to ask for economic and non-economic damages. Reasons why you could be compensated for your reckless driving crash-related losses include:
- Auto repair or replacement expenses
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
How much your case is worth depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Your attorney can calculate your subjective and quantifiable losses. They can include these in your lawsuit and build an argument designed to show a judge or jury that you deserve 100% of the compensation you are requesting.
How to Prove That a Driver Was Acting Recklessly
Your attorney can provide a breakdown of negligence laws in South Carolina. There are elements of negligence that must have been present at the time of your auto accident to prove that the other driver was reckless. These are:
- Duty of Care: It was reasonable to expect this motorist to follow the rules of the road and do what was necessary to avoid accidents.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The driver did something outside of the law that put you and others at risk.
- Causation: The driver did things that led to your accident.
- Damages: The driver’s actions have left you with losses.
Your lawyer can use accident scene photos, videos, and other proof to support your case against the other driver. This evidence can help you make it clear to a judge or jury that you are in no way at fault for your accident. It could compel the court to award you full damages.
How Comparative Negligence Can Affect Your Case
A reckless driver could say you are partly to blame for your accident. If this happens and the motorist convinces the court to agree with their point of view, you could receive a portion of the damages you originally requested. Alternatively, you may be ineligible to receive compensation.
With comparative negligence, you can receive compensation if you are 1-50% liable for an injury. If you do, what you get is reduced by your percentage of fault. In a situation in which you are more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to secure damages.
Your lawyer can describe how South Carolina’s negligence laws can impact your claim value. They work hard to get you fair compensation. As part of their efforts, they consider a wide range of evidence to strengthen your argument.
Hire a Orangeburg Reckless Driving Collision Lawyer
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm stands behind our work in personal injury lawsuits. We will not charge you anything for our legal services unless we win or settle your case.
Contact us today for more information.
