Indian Land Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence in South Carolina. In fact, a traffic collision occurs in the state every 3.7 minutes, one person is injured every 8.7 minutes, and a person is killed every 8.9 hours, according to a report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Some crashes are more serious than others. Even seemingly minor collisions can still cause major injuries that result in an array of complications for victims, requiring expensive medical care, time away from work, and ongoing pain and suffering.

If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a car accident in the greater Indian Land area, please seek qualified legal representation. It can be very difficult to deal with aggressive insurance adjusters and to navigate the claims process by yourself, but an experienced Indian Land car accident attorney will be able to assist you every step of the way.

David Blackwell Law has offices in Indian Land and Lancaster, South Carolina, but we serve residents and visitors throughout Lancaster County and York County. Call (803) 232-7274 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation about your personal injury claim.

Why Choose Our Indian Land Law Firm to Help with Your Car Accident Claim?

As soon as you contact David Blackwell Law, our knowledgeable car accident attorneys in Indian Land will:

• Conduct a thorough investigation into your crash
• Determine the cause of the accident, preserve important evidence, and identify all liable parties
• Assist you in receiving all of the medical care you need and making sure that you have a working motor vehicle
• Assist in dealing with creditors relating to your medical bills
• Handle all conversations with insurance companies and speak on your behalf
• Accurately gauge the true value of your case and then work tirelessly to pursue an amount that covers what you need and deserve
• Fight for a fair and full car accident settlement or take your case to court when an insurer is unwilling to provide appropriate compensation

Schedule a free consultation with a skilled Indian Land car accident lawyer now to get started on your claim.

What You Need to Know About Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurers frequently contact victims soon after car accidents, and you should avoid saying anything until you have legal representation.

Some representatives will be friendly and express a willingness to make sure you are taken care of ─ but do not fall for this trick. In most cases, an agent or a claims adjuster will then ask you to provide a recorded statement that the insurance company will undoubtedly use to try to get you to admit fault unknowingly and, thus, damage your claim.

In other cases, insurance companies may quickly offer you a lump-sum settlement, and an agent may say something along the lines of how you will be able to “keep more money for yourself” by not hiring a lawyer. This is an empty promise because whatever you are being offered is very likely to be much less than what you are actually entitled to.

Do not accept payment or sign any documents without having them reviewed by your own car accident attorney.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Indian Land?

In many car accident cases, victims agree to settlements with insurance companies. The simple truth is that it is usually less costly for an insurer to settle a case than take one to trial.

At trial, the insurance company faces the prospect of possibly losing the case and being ordered to pay compensatory damages. These include:

Economic damages, which are tangible losses a victim has incurred or will incur such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage

Noneconomic damages, which are much more subjective and cannot be quantified, with examples including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or emotional distress

Some cases could also involve awards for punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages or vindictive damages). Punitive damages are awarded primarily to punish defendants for particularly reckless or egregious conduct (such as drunk driving) and discourage other people from behaving similarly.

You should know that South Carolina is considered a modified comparative fault state when it comes to negligence claims, which means that a person is allowed to recover damages for injuries suffered in a car accident, provided that they were not primarily at fault for the accident. The other driver and the insurance company will very likely try to argue that you were the party to blame for your injuries. That is why it is crucial to have a strong car accident attorney representing your best interests.

Causes of Car Accidents in Indian Land

No two motor vehicle accidents are the same. Every single crash involves its own unique factors, and multiple factors can come into play in determining the cause of a crash.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in South Carolina include, but are not limited to:

Many of the causes listed above are examples of driver negligence, but another cause can be mechanical issues with vehicles. In such cases, it may be possible that a third-party was responsible for the crash.

For example, when any part in a motor vehicle is defective and causes an accident, the manufacturer could be held liable. Similarly, a crash caused by a mechanical issue resulting from improper repairs may make the maintenance company responsible.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

Just as the causes can vary by accident, so too can the actual type of crash that you are involved in. Some crashes are limited to just two vehicles, while many others can involve multiple automobiles.

Some of the most common kinds of car accidents include, but are not limited to:

Even when the crash did not involve another car, you should still contact a lawyer to make sure that you know all of your legal options. Single-vehicle accidents can stem from some of the same kinds of mechanical issues mentioned above.

Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights After a Car Crash

When you have been involved in any automobile accident, try to make sure that you follow these steps:

• Get medical attention. Always go to a hospital or see your doctor immediately. It is important to make sure to receive proper treatment as soon as possible for any injuries, as insurance companies will use any delays against you.
• File a police report. Always contact the local law enforcement agency. Be patient if they cannot respond right away to your call. Contact police even if the other driver asks you not to.
• Take pictures at the scene. Use the camera on your cellphone to take as many photographs as possible of everything involved in your accident scene. Remember that this will be cleaned up quickly and evidence will disappear, so you should try to capture as much as you possibly can. Get pictures of the vehicles, people, and other factors involved, and take these photographs from different angles and distances. Also get photos of your injuries.
• Get witness contact information. If anybody saw your crash, be sure to ask them for their names and phone numbers. If they are unwilling to share such information with you, see if police can get it for you.
• Call an attorney. Do not wait to call a lawyer after a car accident. Try to retain legal counsel before speaking to any insurance company.

South Carolina law gives people three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. It is vital to act quickly so you can give your attorney enough time to appropriately investigate your claim and compile all of the resources needed to pursue the claim.

Contact Our Indian Land Car Accident Lawyers Now

Did you suffer catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a car crash in Indian Land or a surrounding area of South Carolina? You should not have to suffer both physically and financially because of another party’s negligence. You could be owed significant compensation for what you’ve been through, and you deserve it.

David Blackwell Law handles all car accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you will never have to pay us anything unless you receive a monetary award. You can have our personal injury attorneys help you understand all of your legal options as soon as you call (803) 232-7274 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.