The repercussions of a car accident can become overwhelming in the weeks after the crash. Your first thought is to see a doctor and get help. Then you start worrying about the medical bills, being out of work, and when you will return to your normal life.
Unfortunately, winning the compensation you need can take weeks or months. The best way to handle the car accident claim process and win a settlement is to hire a South Carolina car accident lawyer. Shelly Leeke Law Firm has seven locations, including in nearby Columbia.
Our Cayce car accident lawyer is here to help anyone seriously injured in a car crash in Lexington or Richland Counties. Talk to a South Carolina personal injury lawyer today.
Why You Need a Cayce Car Accident Attorney
Sometimes you can handle a car accident claim on your own. But if you or a loved one are dealing with serious injuries or someone has passed away, we highly recommend you hire a local personal injury attorney. There are other factors, too.
Review our South Carolina Accident Book and contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation. We will listen to what happened, ask questions, and advise whether a lawyer is necessary. You can reach our Columbia office by sending us your information through our online form.
How We Can Help
We find that many car accident victims have questions about what to do. Things initially seem intuitive—go to the doctor and tell your insurance company. This may be sufficient if you were not seriously injured or sustained only minor damage to your vehicle – in these cases, insurance alone can cover your damages.
But what if the collision was more severe? Car accident victims often suffer losses beyond the immediate costs of doctor visits and car damage.
Sometimes, injuries lead to extended hospital stays, days or weeks of missed work, and significant emotional pain and suffering. These losses can create enormous financial burdens, and you deserve compensation. By filing a personal injury claim, you can recover what you’ve lost.
Guiding You Through the Process
Our firm can guide you through the insurance claim and lawsuit process. Most importantly, we can answer your questions about the law and your options. We can assist you and your family in:
- Deciding whether your case warrants legal representation
- Gathering evidence about the crash
- Gathering evidence about your physical, emotional, and financial injuries
- Dealing with insurance companies
- Getting your vehicle repaired or replaced
- Handling your medical bills
- Deciding whether to file a personal injury lawsuit
Talk with a Cayce car accident attorney as soon as possible. If you or a loved one suffer from severe or catastrophic injuries, you should have a lawyer ready to fight for you to receive maximum compensation.
Navigating Insurance Negotiations
Soon after an accident, the other driver’s insurance company may try to contact you. Remember that, during this stage, the insurer often looks to settle for the lowest amount possible. They may ask you questions, looking to poke holes in your story or trying to gather evidence to show that you were at fault.
Remember that any information you give them could potentially be used against you. This is why it’s best to avoid interactions with insurance companies entirely and let a skilled car accident lawyer in Cayce handle negotiations on your behalf instead. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our attorneys know how to protect your best interests and can make sure you receive the maximum compensation for your losses.
Causes of Car Accidents in Cayce, SC
When you pursue a car accident injury claim, you must prove who was at fault for the crash. That means finding evidence about what went wrong. It helps to work with a lawyer knowledgeable about the common causes of car wrecks around Cayce, SC, and how to investigate any crash.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Reckless driving
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield
- Improper lane changes or merger
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Inexperienced and teen drivers
- Vehicle maintenance issues
- Vehicle defects
- Bad weather
- Hazardous road conditions
Our car accident attorney in Cayce, SC, at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, will understand what happened, whether you were in a pileup on I-77 or a T-bone accident on Highway 321/Charleston Highway. Once you hire us, we immediately begin an independent investigation.
We review the police report, photos, video footage, witness statements, and more. Reviewing the evidence lets us pinpoint who was at fault and who may be liable for your injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Dealing with fender-benders and other minor collisions can be relatively straightforward, but sometimes car accidents are catastrophic. Severe accidents can leave victims with life-threatening injuries or permanent disability. Your compensation depends on the type and severity of your car accident injuries and several other factors.
Our firm has recovered compensation for accident victims suffering from the following:
- Severe lacerations and abrasions
- Broken bones
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Complete or incomplete paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Internal organ damage
- PTSD and other psychological injuries
When You Can Receive Compensation
The amount of time it takes to receive compensation after a car accident can vary widely, but an experienced attorney can help to streamline the process. To receive compensation, you must establish that someone else is liable for the crash and your injuries. In most car accident claims, this means proving negligence.
A Cayce car accident attorney will help you prove the following:
- Another party had a duty to exercise the reasonable care an ordinary person would have used under the same or similar circumstances;
- The other party failed to exercise their duty of care;
- Their failure resulted in the car crash; and
- You suffered injuries.
Often the at-fault and liable party is the other motorist, but this is not always the case. Someone else can be liable, such as the owner of a borrowed vehicle or the other driver’s employer. It helps to have an experienced car accident lawyer thoroughly evaluate liability.
Car Accident Compensation
The repercussions can be severe and ongoing when you’ve been injured in a car accident. Beyond the financial burdens, your daily activities and quality of life may have an enormous impact. At-fault drivers need to be held responsible for the impacts of their actions.
When you can establish negligence in a car accident lawsuit, you may receive compensation for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced earning potential
- Lower quality of life
- Property damage
Our priority at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is to win you the maximum compensation possible. Talk to a car accident lawyer in Cayce, SC, immediately about the factors that could impact your settlement or court award.
Wrongful Death Claims
The most devastating car accidents are often fatal. Those involved in speeding, intoxicated driving, and trucking accidents are at an increased risk of being killed on the road. The tragic loss of a loved one in a collision leaves families crippled with grief and long-term emotional trauma.
But in addition to the emotional losses, the surviving relatives of fatal car accident victims often suffer significant financial consequences. If your family member was taken to the hospital before passing away, medical expenses may have accrued, and funeral and burial costs add to the burden.
Sometimes, a deceased relative was a significant or primary source of income for the household. This leads to a loss of financial support for his or her family and difficulty paying bills and purchasing daily necessities.
When negligent drivers cause the untimely death of a loved one, they should be held accountable. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit allows surviving relatives to rebuild their lives after this tragic event. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our compassionate and knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers can guide you through the process.
Resolving Your Car Accident Claim
When you work with us, you can be confident we do everything possible to resolve your claim successfully. Usually, that means reaching a settlement agreement with the liable party’s insurance company. That may happen before or after we file a lawsuit. In rare cases, car accident claims go to trial.
Injured in a Crash in Cayce, SC? Let Us Help
We know how devastating car accidents are. They put your life on hold and, in some cases, alter the course of your life forever. We are here to hold negligent drivers responsible for their actions and, most importantly, win you the compensation you need.
Do not hesitate to take advantage of our complimentary consultations. You can use our online contact form or give us a call to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Cayce car accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm.
