South Carolina reached an all-time high for car crash fatalities in 2021, with 1,080 deaths. Unfortunately, this large number of deaths is only a small portion of the losses suffered by those involved in South Carolina car accidents. If you have experienced a car accident, there are some situations where you should consider hiring a lawyer.
If any of these situations apply to you, consider speaking with a lawyer for car accidents.
1. You Are Overwhelmed
If you have never experienced a car accident, your first one can be disorienting. Once the shock of the accident wears off, it can become overwhelming to deal with the aftermath. You may have injuries that need medical attention.
Then there is your damaged car that needs fixing. At the same time, you have insurance companies calling.
Hiring a car accident attorney can quiet the noise. They become a buffer between you and the insurance company. That way, you can focus on your health and return to life.
Your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company to secure a settlement claim. If necessary, they can also represent you during a jury trial.
2. Your Future Is At Stake
Some accidents result from illegal activity, such as driving under the influence. If you are injured because the person who caused your car accident was driving under the influence, you need a lawyer who is familiar not only with the civil courts, but the criminal courts as well. Hiring a car accident attorney with experience handling criminal cases as well can give you additional guidance.
Your lawyer with dual experience in both criminal and civil matters can provide you with a complete advice and help you building a stronger case and obtaining the fair recovery you deserve. If you were hurt as a result of a drunk driver, Adrian can help you build your civil case to obtain a compensation that is fair and that fully considers the punitive aspect of your case.
3. You Are Hurt
Suffering an injury in a car accident adds an extra layer to complicate the situation. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights. Unfortunately, South Carolina has one of the highest crash fatality rate in the country.
Sometimes, people do not feel injured or hurt immediately after the accident. Adrenaline pumps through the body, making it hard to identify injuries immediately. Once the adrenaline wears off, the pain sets in.
These injuries can cause long-term problems. A lawyer can help injured people pursue compensation for bodily injuries. This goes beyond paying for medical bills.
In some cases, you could recover payment for missed work. Or you could make a claim for future lost earnings due to a disability that prevents you from returning to work. You should also consider pursuing recovery for future medical treatment.
4. Insurance Negotiation
Insurance companies are businesses that make money when they do not make large payouts. You have to negotiate with the insurance company to recover your damages. The insurance company employs lawyers to represent it.
These lawyers deal with claims daily and negotiate regularly. This makes them more knowledgeable and skilled than the average car driver.
Hiring a car accident lawyer can help level the playing field. Once you hire an attorney, the insurance company must communicate with the lawyer instead of you. This stops the phone calls directly to you.
The lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to secure a fair settlement offer. Personal injury lawyer has more experience with what is necessary to argue in order to be successful. He also knows the typical payouts for your type of case, so he/she knows when to hold out.
The lawyer can explain settlement options to ensure you know all the recovery options available. This helps you understand the full repercussions of accepting a settlement offer.
5. There Are Multiple Vehicles
If the accident involved multiple vehicles, figuring out who is at fault gets complicated. A South Carolina injury lawyer can advocate on your behalf. Multiple vehicle accidents typically involve multiple insurance companies.
Each insurance company wants the others to carry the fault. Your lawyer can argue that you are the not the cause of the accident. This shifts the liability and responsibility to the other parties involved.
To prove liability, the lawyer will argue four elements. First, you were owed a duty of care by the at-fault party. Second, that party breached its duty.
Third, you suffered injuries as a result of that breach of duty. Fourth, that the injuries were proximately caused by the defendant’s breach of duty.
6. Evidence Gathering
To prove your claim, you need evidence. This proof backs up and reinforces your claim for damages and injuries. The stronger the evidence you provide, the better your position when negotiating with the insurance company or going to trial.
Lawyers understand what type of evidence is effective at proving a claim. They also know what evidence the insurance company looks for. Your car accident lawyer can help you obtain a copy of the police report, interview witnesses, and compile medical records.
Some common forms of evidence include:
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Video of the scene and damages
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Medical reports
- Vehicle repair estimates
7. Going to Court
While the majority of claims get settled out of court, some do result in a court case. The legal system is a complicated and time-consuming system to navigate. A car accident lawyer understands the deadlines and requirements to bring a claim to court successfully. At the Dejeu Law Firm, we try to prepare each case as if it will go to trial. This way we are able to obtain better compensation for our clients. Adrian will file your lawsuit and continue to prepare your case. Should your case still not settle, then Adrian will argue your case in court before a jury.
Consider a Lawyer for Car Accidents
Experiencing a car accident is a potentially stressful and life-changing event. However, you do not have to deal with the aftermath alone. A lawyer for car accidents understands this and can provide guidance.
Request a free consultation today to discuss the circumstances surrounding your case.
