Do You Know What You Are Up Against After a Crash?
When you or a loved one suffer serious injuries in a car accident, the reality sets in quickly. There are going to be medical bills and other expenses while you are out of work. You might be looking at a permanent disfigurement or disability. All of this makes you realize you need to win as much compensation as possible from the at-fault driver.
But getting a car insurance settlement is not easy or straightforward. Insurance companies often try to limit how much they are responsible for paying. The best way to stand up for yourself and demand fair compensation is to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in South Carolina.
When You May Benefit From a Car Accident Attorney
You might be worried a lawyer will make the situation contentious or have high fees. We understand your fears and concerns. But if you sustained serious injuries, hiring a South Carolina personal injury attorney is worth it. We are here to fight for your rights if the insurer tries to deny or limit your claim. Because we will gather evidence and have experience presenting evidence in the best possible light for our clients, we are more likely to maximize your compensation.
You do not need to worry about attorney’s fees at the beginning. We fight hard to win you enough compensation to cover all your expenses, including our contingency fee.
If you have questions about whether you need an attorney, give us a call at our Columbia office at (803) 567-5000. You also can check out our South Carolina Accident Book, which might answer your initial questions.
How We Can Help
Shelly Leeke Law Firm can start to help you right away. First, we will discuss your situation and whether you need an attorney. If you are dealing with serious physical injuries, we will likely recommend you retain legal representation.
Our next step is to thoroughly investigate the crash and gather evidence, such as the police report, photos, video footage from nearby cameras, eye witness statements, and expert opinions. We get to the bottom of what happened and identify the at-fault and liable party—or parties.
Next comes the demand. We work with you, your medical providers, and, in some cases, experts to calculate the value of your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. Then, we put together a package of the evidence, including proof of fault and your injuries, which we send to the liable party. We demand full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Our demand may lead to pre-litigation settlement negotiations. Most personal injury claims are resolved without going to court. But if filing a lawsuit is helpful in your case, we’ll say so. We do not back down from a fight, even if that means taking your case to trial.
Car Accident Compensation
When you are injured in a wreck that someone else is responsible for, you may recover compensation for your:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced earning potential
- Lower quality of life
- Property damage
The value of your claim depends on many factors, including the nature and severity of your injuries, the auto insurance policy limit, and whether you contributed to the crash. We will talk about these issues and more when valuing your car accident injury claim.
How to Win Compensation After a Car Accident
You will not quickly receive a check after a crash. In fact, if you receive a check without much fuss, do not cash it. Instead, consult a lawyer about whether your case is worth more than the insurance company’s first offer.
In many car accident claims, you will need to establish negligence before you can negotiate a settlement. You have to show:
- The other party was required to act as a reasonable person would under the same or similar circumstances;
- The other party failed to act carefully, breaching their duty;
- The other party’s actions directly caused the crash; and
- You suffered injuries.
Our car accident lawyers in St. Andrews have years of experience using evidence to identify the liable party, prove negligence, and win compensation.
Car Accident Injuries
What do we mean when we say you should have a lawyer if you suffered serious injuries? We mean more than bumps and bruises.
Give us a call if you or a loved one sustained:
- Bone fractures
- Severe lacerations and abrasions
- Facial and dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Amputation
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Psychological injuries like PTSD
Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Andrews
Common causes of collisions include:
- Driving through a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Improper lane changing or merging
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Vehicle design or manufacturing defects
- Inexperienced drivers
- Bad weather
St. Andrews is located just west of I-26 in Richland County and has I-20 and SC-176/Broad River Rd running through it. As a part of the Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan area, it sees its fair share of traffic and crashes.
Call us for Help Today
There is no need to be afraid or intimidated about calling a personal injury law firm. We offer free consultations. There is no risk in seeking an experienced opinion about your situation, including whether you have a claim and would benefit from hiring a St. Andrews lawyer.
We are here to put you and your family’s needs first—something you cannot expect an insurance company to do. While the insurer worries about its bottom line, we worry about your future.
You can reach out to Shelly Leeke Law Firm through our online form or by calling (803) 567-5000 to reach our Columbia office.
