We already know car accidents in South Carolina are incredibly common, with a collision happening just over every four minutes. Many of these are majorly or partially someone else’s fault, and that means you could claim compensation.

To recover the maximum possible compensation, it’s highly advisable to seek the counsel of a car accident lawyer. You can certainly negotiate a settlement on your own, but you’re also much more likely to end up settling for a much lower amount. Many insurance adjusters are seasoned and will do all they can to reduce the liability of their client (so they don’t have to pay out a huge settlement), but our Greenville car accident attorneys are equally seasoned and know how to negotiate a fair offer.

If you represent yourself, you may also miss out on damages you are entitled to, such as the costs of future medical bills, wages, and impairment, and potentially even compensation for your spouse — even if they were not directly involved in the accident.

In any case, it’s worth at least consulting a car accident lawyer for their opinion on your case.

Very rarely, settlement negotiations fail because the offer made by the other side isn’t satisfactory. If you’re unwilling to accept an unfair settlement, you do have one option: to take your car accident claim to trial.

If you decide to go to court, your attorney will present your case to a jury, who will decide which party is liable for the accident.

Going to trial is always a risk, as it’s impossible to predict a jury verdict. However, a jury may award a settlement far more substantial than anything offered by the insurance company during negotiations.

If a jury finds in your favor, they’ll determine the economic and non-economic damages you’re entitled to, but they can also choose to award a third type of damages.

Punitive damages are only available if a case is successfully tried at trial, and they’re designed to punish or make an example of the defendant for their behavior. As such, these damages are reserved for more egregious acts where the court may want to send a message and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.

Whether punitive damages apply and the amount of punitive damages awarded is entirely the jury’s discretion.

However, South Carolina law caps punitive damages at either three times the amount of compensatory damages (the total of economic and non-economic damages) or $500,000, whichever is greater. This limit is not disclosed to the jury.

For example, if you take your car accident claim to trial and win your case, and a jury awards $2 million in punitive damages, the court may reduce the damages you receive in line with the cap.

Trials are complex and time-consuming, so if you’re considering taking your claim to court for a bigger payout, it’s vital to consult a Greenville car accident lawyer.

After you’ve been in an accident, you’ll likely receive a call or visit from an insurance adjuster. This is an individual appointed by the other party’s insurance company to get your side of the story and determine how much your claim is worth. Based on that, they’ll make you an offer to settle your claim.

The adjuster may seem authentic and genuinely interested in your well-being, but it’s vital to remember who they work for and their ultimate goal: to minimize how much they should pay you.

This means you need to be cautious when dealing with an insurance adjuster, as anything you say to them may be used against you.

The first thing you need to know is that you are under absolutely no obligation to speak to them — if you appoint our South Carolina car accident law firm, we will handle all communications and negotiations for you.

However, you may wish to speak to them, or at least know how you should deal with them in the meantime.

If you decide to speak to an adjuster, the key is to be polite and not get defensive, watch what you say, and not accept any offer or sign any paperwork before consulting with your car accident lawyer.

If you do make a statement, stick only to the facts (such as where the accident happened and when), and avoid commenting on your injuries, saying only that you’re still seeking treatment.

There are many different types of car accidents, ranging from minor fender benders to destructive multi-vehicle crashes. Sometimes, a crash can happen without the involvement of a second vehicle.

Single-vehicle car accidents can happen when you swerve to avoid a hazard or because of an auto defect, such as if your brakes fail. If you crash your vehicle because you’ve taken evasive action to avoid hitting an erratic driver, you may still be able to claim compensation from the other driver, even if you didn’t directly collide with them.

Car accidents involving two vehicles can range from rear-end crashes (where the front end of one car hits the rear of another) and head-on crashes (where two vehicles collide head-on) to side-impact or T-bone collisions, where the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape.

Whatever type of car accident you’re in, our South Carolina car accident lawyers can determine if you have a case and help you recover any compensation you’re entitled to.

The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be terrifying, but the actions you take can influence the outcome of any personal injury claim you may want to pursue.

The first step you should take after being in a car accident is to call the police. When they arrive, they will create a police report. This is a vital piece of evidence that verifies that the accident took place and documents who witnessed the accident, what injuries were sustained, and the extent of property damage.

If you’re able, you should also collect evidence yourself. It can be helpful to note down descriptions of the other vehicles involved and the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Your car accident lawyer can follow up with these individuals to gather testimony that supports your case. You can also take photographs or videos of the damage caused and your injuries using your cell phone.

One of the most crucial steps is to seek medical attention after your accident — even if you feel fine. Many car accident victims are concerned about seeing a doctor because of the cost and decide to “tough it out”. Unfortunately, if their injuries get worse and they can’t put off treatment any longer, it can be difficult to show their injuries happened at the time of the accident, which can impact their claim.

In addition to all of the above, you should also seek advice from a car accident attorney. Our Greenville car accident lawyers can let you know if you have a case and explore all of your options for recovering the compensation you deserve. We’ll handle the entire process — including negotiating with stubborn insurance adjusters and gathering evidence — so that you can focus on your recovery.