Have you sustained injuries in a car accident that wasn’t even your fault? A car came out of nowhere and bumped into you? Now all you are left with is hospital visits, heavy treatment bills, and property repair costs for your car’s damage.
If the description above fits your current situation, you might be eligible for financial compensation. Our Charleston car accident attorneys have decades of experience maximizing the outcome for their clients. Consult our South Carolina car accident lawyers to discuss your rights in case of an automobile accident. The Charleston personal injury lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm have decades of experience working to maximize the recovery of car accident victims throughout South Carolina.
Who Is Responsible for Your Damages After a Car Accident in Charleston?
Some accidents have an obvious cause and perpetrator. In other cases, third parties who had nothing to do with the incident but contributed to its cause and any ensuing damage may be held liable. We can help establish fault and get compensation for your suffering. What happens when a commercial driver or government agency is involved?
Suing a Commercial Driver
A cab or delivery truck, for instance, may have struck you. It’s possible that you won’t know who to hold liability for your losses. The one responsible for your pain and suffering should pay. You may find that your claim is not simple.
There might be a case for compensation if you were injured in a vehicle collision with an employee while they were working. Most often, the company’s management is held liable for an employee’s inappropriate behavior on the job.
Suing a Government Agency
What if you were involved in an accident because the government agency responsible for maintaining the road did poorly? It might be difficult to file a lawsuit against the state of South Carolina.
The majority of states’ laws exist to shield state and local governments against personal injury claims, such as those arising from vehicle accidents. The need to hire a car accident lawyer in Charleston is heightened because laws make it more difficult to file a lawsuit.
Following the accident, you might be approached by the auto insurance company to offer you a settlement. Should you accept the settlement?
Dealing with the Insurance Company
The insurance company will probably not be thrilled to receive your reimbursement request. If at all feasible, they will take measures to reduce your settlement amount and ensure not to pay you a hefty compensation. As a result, the insurance provider will likely attempt to find reasons not to pay you what you’re owed.
An example of this would be if they offered you a settlement much lower than the value of your claim and justified it by arguing that it was the best they could do. You’ll have to take a stand if you want the compensation you deserve. Your Charleston automobile accident attorney may assist you in taking the insurers to court to receive adequate compensation.
When planning to go for a trial, you must consider the time limit for filing a claim in South Carolina. Yes, the statute of limitations differs for each state, depending on the nature of the claim.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in South Carolina
You have three years from the accident date to submit a claim for compensation for your injuries under South Carolina Code Section15-3-530. You can’t be sure of getting compensated for your losses if you wait to claim because every situation is different.
The difficulty of resolving a case increases as time passes, and the reliability of available evidence declines. Contact your personal injury attorney as soon as possible. If you were at fault for the accident, your case dynamics might shift.
Shared Fault In Charleston Car Accidents
Finding out who was at fault for your car crash injuries is essential in getting the money you deserve after you’ve been hurt. South Carolina is a “fault” state, so although your insurance provider may assist you with things like a rental vehicle, you will ultimately be responsible for any damages if yours is damaged.
If it turns out that you had any responsibility for the crash, your potential settlement might be reduced. If you are partially at blame, your entitlement to compensation may be reduced by an amount equivalent to your degree of responsibility under South Carolina law (15-38-15).
What Damages Can You Recover Compensation For?
If you were injured in an automobile crash in South Carolina, our lawyers could help you get compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Impaired body
- Distress, agony
- Auto maintenance and service
- Income loss from lost workdays
- Modifications to one’s home due to disability caused by the accident
- Grief over potentially lost friend or loved one in the case of a deadly accident
If you sue the government in South Carolina, you may have less than the standard three years to do so, despite the state’s three-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. There may be limits on the amount of money you get in damages, so it’s in your best interest to pursue the highest possible payout. Consult a lawyer for assistance.
What Our Car Accident Attorneys in Charleston Can Do for You?
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we have seen it all. Our legal team will work tirelessly to ensure you get just compensation. Our Charleston car accident lawyers will help you build a strong case. To save you the hassle, we can also handle the insurance company negotiations and investigate the accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
