Practice Areas

Defective airbag lawsuits are serious cases that should be pursued aggressively if you or someone you know was seriously injured in an auto accident and the airbag failed to deploy. Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm for more information on defective airbag litigation and your legal rights. Call us now at 843-277-6061 or toll free at 1-888-690-0211.

Labels: accident attorney accident attorney charleston sc accident lawyer sc airbag case attorney charleston sc car accident air bag didn't work car accident attorney charleston car accident attorney sc car accident lawyer Charleston defective airbag law firm charleston sc South Carolina south carolina product liability attorney

10/28/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (0)

Increase Your Automobile Coverage To Protect Your Family

As discussed in yesterday's post, it is completely legal to drive uninsured in South Carolina if you qualify by paying the $550 fee to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

So, with job losses and cutbacks abound, it is likely that there will be an increase in motorists opting out of carrying automobile insurance. This means it is even more important to carry as much automobile insurance as you can afford during the tough economic times. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you may be left without a vehicle and with extensive medical bills if you or your family members are injured. To protect your family, you should review your current policy and increase your coverage and add additional protection of PIP and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). Add as much coverage as you can afford. At the very minimum, you owe it to yourself to make certain that you carry collision coverage, (which covers your vehicle only).

One in ten drivers in South Carolina is uninsured, according to a recent estimate by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). For more information on the automobile insurance coverage you should have to adequately protect your family, order our Guide to Buying Automobile Insurance In South Carolina, offered FREE to South Carolina residents and motorists.

Learn More About Buying Car Insurance in South Carolina!
Get a Free Report "Buying Car Insurance In South Carolina
Visit our car accident library
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm For a Free Insurance Policy Evaluation.

Labels: accident attorney car accident Charleston Charleston car accident attorney Charleston car wreck lawyer Dangerous Accident insurance company Serious Injuries South Carolina

10/13/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (1)

Health Insurance May Pay Your Medical Bills, Then Claim A Stake In Your Settlement

Sometimes your health insurance does not actually protect your family. If you are injured in an accident in South Carolina, your own health insurance may stake a claim to your accident and injury settlement recovery. Protect your legal rights after an auto accident by speaking with an experienced personal injury law firm today. Call 843-277-6061.

Labels: accident car car accident health insurance insurance adjustors insurance company serious car wreck Serious Injuries South Carolina

10/8/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (1)

Disturbing Texting & Driving Video Sheds Light on Seriousness of the Issue

With technology literally right at our fingertips every waking minute, it can be hard to resist a quick text or cell phone call while behind the wheel. With temptation, as we know can also come danger. An epidemic of distracted driving has resulted in more accidents all over the country. South Carolina is not excluded. I have several recent cases where my client's suffered serious injuries because a negligent driver who caused the accident while text messaging. From a lawyer's perspective, phone records are evidence that will be used against the at fault driver in an accident case. Phone records show if and to whom a driver was speaking or texting when the accident occurred. This means that if you cause an accident while texting and driving, it almost certainly will be used against you in a subsequent personal injury case.

At least four states have passed or pending legislation that poses serious fines for driving while texting (DWT). I watched a video on YouTube yesterday that is quite disturbing and graphic, but certainly will drive the point home of the dangers of distracted driving. I've posted the link here, but just a warning, this video is not for everyone, and I certainly do not advocate young children watching it. By way of background, this is from a UK public service commercial, filmed by students showing a deadly accident caused by a driver while under the influence of text messaging behind the wheel.

Labels: accident accidents attorney car Charleston Dangerous Accident Safety Serious Injuries South Carolina Text Messaging

10/1/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (0)

Insurance Companies Offer Accident Victims Quick, But Low Ball Settlements

Don’t Be Fooled. The Insurance Company Wants You To Accept A Low Offer For Your Injury Case.

If you are injured in an accident, chances are, the insurance company will have their adjustor call you shortly after the accident. I had a new client earlier this week tell me that the adjustor went so far as to tell her she would personally make sure that my client was taken care of so that she didn’t need to hire a lawyer. Luckily, my client already knew to be aware of the tactics insurance adjustor’s use to take advantage of accident victims.

My advice is the following. You may not need a lawyer for your case, and you MAY be better off settling on your own with the adjustor. But, you owe it to yourself and your case to at least take the time to find out what your rights are and to gain the knowledge you need before settling your case, that that you do not make a mistake that can destroy your accident case. Nearly every accident and injury lawyer in the Charleston and surrounding areas offers a free case evaluation. So, it makes sense to at least speak with an attorney about your legal rights. Remember, the insurance adjustor works for the insurance company, and she/he has a job to do. The adjustor’s job is to save the insurance company money, not to protect your rights.

An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and tell you if he/she believes you need an attorney to represent you for your accident case. If you have a serious injury or a require a significant amount of treatment, you should always speak with an attorney before you decide to deal with the insurance company alone.

Labels: accident attorney car Charleston insurance adjustors insurance company lawyer South Carolina

Accidents Involving Children & Minors

11/24/2009
Ross Henry
Comments (0)

School Bus Safety: Use of Seat Belts Controversial

Is it safe for a child to ride the school bus without a seat belt? Shelly Leeke Law Firm 843-277-6061

Labels: accident attorney Charleston Children South Carolina

10/6/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (1)

Kids Face Greater Risk of Spinal Injuries In Auto Accidents

Children under the age of 12 are more likely to suffer a spinal injury in an automobile accident than minors ages 12-18, a recent study shows. In fact, younger children are seven times more likely to suffer a spinal injury. This may reflect the inadequacy of the seat belt "fit" on small kids due to their small size. Most rear seat passengers are under the age of 18. Yet, reports show that rear seats tend to be too long for most kids, causing them to slouch over so their knees reach past the front of the seat. To help with the problem, parents are advised to use a booster seat to help the child fit more securely in a seat belt until the child can sit comfortably with their knees reaching over the front of the seat, or unti they are around 4 feet 9 inches tall.
The research is from a report in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Labels: accidents attorney car Children kids Safety South Carolina

Workers' Compensation

10/15/2009
Shelly M. Leeke
Comments (0)

Pizza Shop To Pay Obese Employee's Weightloss Surgery as Part of Worker's Comp Claim

Adam Childer's was 25 and nearly 340 lbs. when he began working as a cook for Gourmet Pizza in Boston. He was struck by a freezer door while on the job, resulting in a severe back injury. His doctor's said he would require back surgery to alleviate the pain the injury had caused. But, docs said the back surgery would do no good unless the obese worker had gastric bypass surgery prior to undergoing back surgery. The employer agreed to pay for the back surgery, but refused to pay for weightloss surgery, claiming the employee was overweight before he got hurt. The Indiana court disagreed, ruling that the employee's weight combined with the work accident, resulted in a single, work related injury. This is not the first ruling as of late requiring weightloss surgery as part of worker's compensation treatment. Ohio, Oregan, California, Florida and South Dakota have reached similar rulings. As far as I am aware at the date of this posting, South Carolina worker's compensation commission has not yet ruled on this particular issue. But, with nearly 1/3'd of American's classified as obese, and over 220,000 weight loss surgery last year alone, according to the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, this issue will probably arise soon enough.

Labels: back injury Charleston work injury injured worker Serious Injuries South Carolina South Carolina Worker's Compensation work accident work injury

Free Report

Buying Car Insurance In South Carolina

Guide to Settling Your South Carolina Property Damage Claim

Roadmap For A Personal Injury Case

The South Carolina Accident Book For Personal Injury Victims

Dangerous Drug: YAZ

Free Consultation

North Area Office
103 Laurel Avenue
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 277-6061
Fax: (843) 297-8497
Toll Free: 1-888-690-0211

Get Directions

Charleston & Mt. Pleasant Office
222 W. Coleman Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(By Appointment)
Phone: (843) 277-6061
Fax: (843) 297-8497
Toll Free: 1-888-690-0211

Get Directions

Myrtle Beach Office
1293 Professional Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(By Appointment)
Phone: 1-888-690-0211
Fax: 843-297-8497

Get Directions

Contact Info

North Area Office
103 Laurel Avenue
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 277-6061
Fax: (843) 297-8497
Toll Free: 1-888-690-0211

Charleston & Mt. Pleasant Office
222 W. Coleman Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(By Appointment)
Phone: (843) 277-6061
Fax: (843) 297-8497
Toll Free: 1-888-690-0211

Myrtle Beach Office
1293 Professional Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(By Appointment)
Phone: 1-888-690-0211
Fax: 843-297-8497

Call 24/7
for immediate response