Helping Injured Car Accident Victims Recover Compensation

If you sustained serious injuries or lost a loved one in a Charleston car accident, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights. After all, you’re likely facing costly bills for medical care and vehicle repairs, all while trying to heal from your injuries. You should not have to handle the aftermath of the car crash alone when it was not your fault. Instead, you should let our caring Charleston car accident attorneys ensure the at-fault driver is held responsible for the damage they caused you and your family.

When you hire Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm for your Charleston car accident case, you’ll have a team of skilled attorneys by your side from start to finish. Our trusted car accident lawyers are adept at determining fault, calculating fair financial compensation, and negotiating with insurance companies to get the maximum settlement for each client. We understand just how devastating auto accidents can be, so you can rest assured we’ll give your car accident claim the time and personal attention necessary to get the best possible results. Call our Charleston law firm today for a free consultation with compassionate car accident lawyers.

What Are Some Common Reasons for Car Accidents in South Carolina?

If you decide to pursue compensation through a car accident claim, one of the most important steps will be determining who caused the car crash and how it happened. There are numerous reasons that two or more motor vehicles might collide on the streets or highways of South Carolina, and it’s up to the insurance adjusters and car accident attorneys to review the evidence and find the underlying reason for your car crash.

Some of the most common reasons for car accidents in South Carolina and beyond include:

• Distracted driving: This might involve eating, changing the radio station, reaching for items on the floor, talking to a passenger, or using a phone while driving. Though texting and driving is illegal in South Carolina, many drivers still do it, often causing tragic car accidents as a result
• Reckless driving: Some drivers display aggressive behaviors on the road, such as tailgating, changing lanes unsafely, and ignoring traffic signs and signals
• Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions can result in the driver not having enough time to react to other cars slowing down or stopping, causing them to lose control of the vehicle and crash
• Drowsy driving: Fatigue affects the judgement and reaction time of a driver. They also have a high risk of falling asleep while driving, which can lead to fatal car accidents
• Running stop signs and red lights: Drivers who ignore or don’t notice red lights and stop signs run the risk of striking other cars that have the right of way at intersections
• Drunk driving: Drunk drivers are responsible for nearly half of the fatal car accidents in South Carolina. Alcohol can affect the judgment and reaction time of drivers, making them likely to ignore traffic laws and less likely to be able to brake in time to avoid an accident
• Extreme weather: Some car accidents occur because snow, ice, rain, or fog makes the roads slippery and visibility poor
• Automobile defects: Tires, brakes, and other car parts that are defective or of low quality can cause drivers to lose control and cause tragic accidents

Whether one of these common issues caused your car accident or a different underlying issue was to blame, you should talk to a Charleston car accident lawyer to find out your rights as an injured victim. Skilled car accident attorneys can initiate an investigation to determine how your car crash occurred and who may be liable for your losses. If you didn’t cause the car accident, you should not be responsible for the medical bills, car repair expenses, lost wages, and other costs you’re facing now. Call our Charleston law firm today for an initial consultation with our compassionate personal injury attorneys.

What Are Some Common Types of Car Accidents in Charleston?

Different types of car accidents tend to result in varying amounts of property damage and injuries to drivers and passengers. That’s why you should hire car accident lawyers who have experience handling personal injury claims involving all types of car crashes. 

At our Charleston law firm, we often handle car accident cases involving:

• Rear-end crashes: These happen when the front of a car strikes the back of the car ahead of them, usually due to distracted driving or tailgating. Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of wrecks since they often occur in heavy traffic, such as at rush hour, when drivers must accelerate and then quickly brake
• Head-on collisions: These occur when the front of one car collides with the front of another car, usually after one crosses the center line and ends up in the wrong lane due to drunk driving, distracted driving, or loss of vehicle control. Two cars going opposite directions create a devastating impact when they collide, making this type of crash the deadliest kind
• Sideswipe collisions: These happen when a driver swerves or switches lanes and strikes the car next to them
• Single-vehicle accidents: Some crashes involve a tree, light pole, guardrail, or debris on or next to the road rather than another car. In some cases, this type of crash isn’t the fault of the driver, but the agency in charge of keeping the road safe or the car manufacturer responsible for a defective part, leading to a valid car accident case
• T-bone crashes: Also called side-impact crashes, t-bone wrecks occur when one car hits the side of another. They usually take place at intersections due to one car running a red light or failing to yield during a turn
• Hit-and-run accidents: Some drivers cause a wreck and then leave the accident scene before exchanging insurance information with the other driver.
• Multi-car pileups: These involve three or more motor vehicles that collide with each other, often due to sudden braking or poor visibility from extreme weather

If you were injured in one of these or similar types of car accidents, it’s imperative that you contact a Charleston car accident lawyer for legal advice. Even if you think you’re at fault or were struck by an uninsured driver, we encourage you to reach out to us and let us handle the investigation into your motor vehicle accident. You might be surprised at what we discover and the financial compensation we can secure for you. Call us today to get started on your Charleston car accident claim. 

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries Suffered by Charleston Car Crash Victims?

Car accidents can be life-altering due to the wide range of severe injuries they often cause. The most serious car accident injuries can cause permanent disabilities or death, leading to costly hospital stays or funeral and burial arrangements. Even moderate injuries can have a significant impact on your life since they can lead to a great deal of pain, doctor’s bills, and lost wages.

This is why you should talk to a car accident attorney to find out how to seek compensation for any injuries sustained in a car crash that someone else caused. Whether your injuries are expected to heal within a few months or will likely be permanent, you should not have to deal with the physical and financial pain that you’re in right now because of someone else’s negligence on the road.

Our South Carolina personal injury law firm has handled countless car accident cases for victims suffering from mild to severe wounds, including:

• Broken bones
• Burns
• Whiplash
• Bruises and lacerations
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Paralysis
• PTSD

If you suffered these or other car accident injuries, please call our Charleston law firm for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. Our lawyers understand the devastation car accidents can cause to your physical, mental, and emotional state. While we can’t take away the pain caused by your injuries, we can help you get a fair settlement that ensures you can afford the treatment you need. So, if you’re looking for a way to take away the financial pain of a serious car accident, call our law office to speak with a car accident attorney who will help you recover compensation.

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in a Charleston Car Accident?

It’s common to feel shocked and confused in the first moments after a car wreck, making it hard to know what to do next. The simple answer is to prioritize your health and safety by getting emergency medical help for any injuries. Once you’ve taken this step, collecting evidence that could support your car accident claim is recommended, as is speaking to certain individuals who can assist with your case.

The following are the specific steps you should take after a Charleston car accident:

• Determine if you or your passengers sustained any serious injuries
• Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance for yourself or other victims if necessary
• Avoid admitting fault or apologizing to the other driver as you wait for the police to arrive
• Describe what happened to the police so they can accurately fill out a police report
• Exchange important details with the other driver, such as their name, address, phone number, and insurance company information
• Identify potential witnesses and ask for their contact information
• Take photos of the accident scene, making sure to record the damage to the car involved, the injuries you suffered, the weather conditions, and any traffic signals or signs nearby
• Seek medical care shortly after you leave the scene so your doctor can determine if you suffered any injuries that may be more serious than you assumed
• Call a trusted Charleston car accident attorney to discuss your legal options

Taking these steps immediately after a South Carolina motor vehicle accident is ideal if you plan to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. However, if you could not perform all these tasks after the crash, it’s not too late to seek assistance by calling a lawyer. As long as it’s been less than three years since the accident date, you still have the chance to take legal action against the at-fault party.

Of course, the sooner you get legal help, the better, since evidence is easier to collect when the incident happened recently. Such evidence might include witness testimony, pictures, video footage, medical records, and police reports. However, an experienced South Carolina accident lawyer has numerous resources to help with collecting the necessary evidence, so don’t lose hope if you didn’t take action immediately after the crash. Call our Charleston personal injury law firm today for help starting the insurance claim process or initiating a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

What Kind of Compensation Can Charleston Car Accident Victims Pursue?

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Charleston, you have the right to seek compensation from the person who caused the crash. If you’re not sure if it’s worth your time to take legal action, you should learn what kind of financial compensation you’re entitled to. In most cases, auto accident settlements are generous enough to pay for all expenses associated with the crash, as well as any emotional trauma, humiliation, and other consequences you might have suffered.

Our South Carolina legal team will work hard to secure the compensation you deserve after an auto accident in Charleston. Depending on the circumstances of the car crash, you could recover the following types of financial compensation.

Property Damage

Truck accidents, car crashes, and motorcycle accidents can all result in extensive damage to the vehicles involved. You should not have to pay for the damage if you didn’t cause the auto accident, which is why your settlement should include money for property damage.

This will pay for any repairs you need if there are scratches, dents, or missing parts. If the insurance company decides that your car is totaled, the property damage portion of your settlement will pay for you to buy a new one. Additionally, if other personal property was damaged or lost in the auto accident – such as a smartphone, infant car seat, or laptop – property damage will pay for repairs or replacements.

Medical Expenses

A significant portion of your settlement will cover your medical expenses, since these can be extremely costly even if your injuries aren’t permanent or deadly. If you took an ambulance to the emergency room and needed surgery and prescription medication, your medical bills may add up to thousands of dollars. If you needed a longer hospital stay and ongoing treatment, your bills will be even higher.

Fortunately, most personal injury claims seek compensation for both current and future medical expenses for injury victims. So, if you know you’ll need surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up doctor appointments in the future, your South Carolina auto accident attorney will request compensation for these medical bills when filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company.

Lost Wages

Recovering from a serious accident usually requires you to take some time off work. Whether it’s weeks or months, your paychecks will reflect your time off, making it difficult to pay your bills as you heal. This can quickly become a source of anxiety, especially if you also have medical bills coming in while you’re unable to work.

That’s why a fair settlement typically includes money for lost income. It should include additional compensation for lost earning capacity if your injuries are severe enough that you can no longer work in your industry as a result. You should not have to worry about rushing back to work as you recover from your auto accident injuries. Instead, let our legal team request lost wages from the insurance company on your behalf.

Non-Economic DamageS

Some auto accident expenses are more difficult to add up than lost income, medical expenses, and property damage, as they don’t come with receipts or estimates. These are referred to as non-economic damages, and they require a skilled lawyer to calculate so you’re fully compensated for the impact the crash has had on your life.

Some examples of non-economic damages in South Carolina personal injury cases include pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life. Our lawyers can review the details of your situation before determining how much compensation to request from the insurance company.

Wrongful Death

If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in a South Carolina car accident, you can pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The damages you get will depend on the circumstances of your case, but they often include money for unpaid medical costs and funeral and burial expenses.

If you relied on your family member’s income, you can request compensation for lost wages. In addition, your lawyer can seek damages for loss of consortium, loss of companionship, loss of guidance, and other non-economic damages. Contact our South Carolina law firm to get an idea of the compensation you can expect for your case.

How Can a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Help You?

If you were injured in a Charleston car accident, we urge you to contact our firm for legal guidance as soon as possible. Regardless of your injuries, you will need money to pay for your car repairs, medical costs, and other losses. Seeking our assistance to initiate a personal injury case against the at-fault driver’s insurance company can help you get it.

At Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, we have years of experience helping South Carolina injury victims through complicated personal injury claims. Whether you were struck by a drunk driver, uninsured motorist, distracted driver, or any other driver displaying negligence behind the wheel, our lawyers can assist you. We know what it takes to collect the maximum compensation for our clients, whether that means bringing a claim against an insurance company or initiating a personal injury lawsuit against South Carolina drivers and their insurance providers.

If you’re unsure what to do after a car accident, contact Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm for assistance. We’ll determine whose insurance company is liable for the crash and collect the necessary evidence to prove it. We’ll then communicate with the insurance company until we’ve negotiated the settlement you deserve. Call 803-902-4583 today to schedule your free consultation.