Car Accident Lawyer
Car Accident Attorney
According to South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in 2019 one traffic collision happened every 3.7 minutes; one person was injured every 13.6 minutes, one person was killed every 9.4 hours, one pedestrian was killed every 2.2 days.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need a lawyer who will represent your needs, call Adrian Dejeu. Drivers who cause car accidents should pay these costs. Victims or family members of those killed in a crash may file a personal injury or wrongful death claim to obtain compensation. The car accident lawyer Adrian Dejeu has been helping collision auto accident victims recover damages for the injuries they suffered.
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What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents and Injuries?
You can increase your chances of recovering fair compensation with the help of experienced North Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer.
If a member of your family has suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI), quadriplegia, or another catastrophic injury in a serious car accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you cannot afford to accept less than maximum compensation for your loss. To make sure that you are being treated fairly, call or text Dejeu Law Firm for a free review your case.
We give each auto accident case we handle the thorough attention necessary to get the best results. Even if you were injured by a drunk driver or in a hit-and-run accident, we may be able to recover the compensation you need to take care of yourself and your family.
Common Cases
According to South Carolina Department of Public Safety, for year 2017, speeding or (driving too fast for conditions) resulted in 17,157 people suffering injuries and 193 people lost their lives in car accidents.
If you are injured by a speeding vehicle, whether as a driver, passenger or a pedestrian, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries.
According to SC Department of Public Safety, 200 people lost their lives in 2017 as a result of a “Driving under the influence”, or “Driving while intoxicated” accident, and more than 3,500 suffered injuries.
Drunk driving is responsible for nearly 1/3 of all car accident deaths in this country. Many of these impaired drivers are repeat offenders and all can cause a heavy burden of death and/or injury to themselves and to innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Anyone who causes an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance is considered negligent. Unfortunately, this is of little comfort to someone who has sustained injuries or lost a loved one in an alcohol-related accident. The driver convicted of DUI has the liability to pay for all damages. South Carolina also imposes liability on bars, clubs, restaurants or hotels which supply liquor improperly.
In an accident caused by a drunk driver, in addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages may also be recoverable. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and to deter or discourage others from similar conduct.
Read more in our recent blog post: Compensation for DUI Accident
If you do not reach a settlement with the insurer, you must litigate your case. The car accident attorney at The Dejeu Law Firm is experienced at presenting evidence in trial. We will subpoena relevant documents, interview witnesses, conduct investigations and find experts to testify on the cause of your crash.
Car accident Lawyer
Your Rights After a Car Accident Claim
Every driver is required to purchase liability insurance coverage. This covers payments for costs and losses of crash victims when the policyholder causes an auto accident. Victims should be fully compensated or “made whole” for all economic and non-financial losses resulting from the collision.
When insurance companies accept responsibility, victims routinely settle accident claims outside of court. Your attorney can send a demand letter to the insurer requesting appropriate compensation for your losses. The insurance company and your attorney will negotiate a fair settlement that you have the option to agree or to reject. Once you settle, you may not change your mind. Do not agree to settle your case or accept any money from the insurer until after speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies frequently try to pressure victims of crashes to settle quickly for less than they deserve. An attorney will protect your rights and fight for full coverage of all losses.
Car accident Lawyer
Car Accident Injury Compensation
To obtain compensation, you must prove your case. You must show the defendant violated driving safety rules or was unreasonably careless. Texting and driving, drunk driving and distracted driving are examples of careless behaviors that can lead to crashes. Phone records, police report and eyewitness testimony can be used to show the defendant engaged in these and other dangerous acts.
In some cases, crashes are caused by factors other than careless driving. Victims harmed by malfunctioning vehicles or dangerous roads may pursue claims against car manufacturers or those responsible for road maintenance.
You deserve to be fully compensated for car accident losses through a court verdict or negotiated settlement. Compensation should include:
- Payment of medical bills
- Loss of wages and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damages for wrongful death
Car accident Lawyer
Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
If you were hit by an uninsured motorist or under-insured motorist, you may be eligible for benefits under your own policy or the policy that covered the vehicle you were in. South Carolina law requires vehicle owners to carry underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) unless they waive the coverage in writing. In many cases, you will be able to collect for your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages in the same way as if the driver that hit you did have insurance.
Many insurance companies have special provisions if you choose to access the uninsured motorist provision of your policy. When you come to meet with us at The Dejeu Law Firm, please bring with you a complete copy of the insurance policy you had at the time of the accident.
What are the Steps in an Auto Accident Case?
An auto accident can cause a victim to suffer physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial devastation. Although we commonly use the term “auto accident” the reality is that in most cases the collision was not a true accident but was caused by the negligent conduct of a driver. When that is the case, a victim may be entitled to compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses caused by the driver’s negligence through a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are the victim of a collision and have never been through a personal injury lawsuit before, here are some common steps that will be taken. These steps may vary as each client is unique and each car collision is different. As a result each lawsuit will be different, but generally, there are some common steps that are included in most auto accident lawsuits, including:
Retain An Attorney
A victim should consult with an experienced auto accident attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Under no circumstances should you speak to the defendant or an insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney! Once an attorney has been retained he/she will make initial contact with the insurance adjuster for the defendant’s liability insurance provider and let them know that you are represented by counsel. From that point on all communication regarding the accident will go through the attorney.
Maximum Medical Improvement
You will continue to treat with medical providers for your injuries until you reach “maximum medical improvement,” or MMI. MMI does not always mean you are completely healed. Instead it means you have reached a point at which further treatment is unlikely to result in significant improvement.
Demand for Settlement
Once you have reached MMI your attorney will prepare a demand for settlement package. This is a letter that outlines your legal position, including why the defendant is responsible for damages.
Negotiation and Settlement
Your attorney will then enter into negotiations with the insurance adjuster in an attempt to settle the case short of a lawsuit being filed in court. If those negotiations are successful you will sign a release of all claims in exchange for the compensation you agreed to accept during negotiations. If the negotiations fail, then a lawsuit will be filed in your case in the appropriate court.
Trial
If settlement negotiations are not successful after your case was filed and in litigation, then your case will proceed to a trial at which a judge or jury will decide all contested issues. If you are successful at trial the judge or jury will decide how much compensation to award you.
