Motor Vehicle Accidents
How to Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Claims in South Carolina
We spend a lot of time in our cars. Unfortunately, accidents happen. When you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident in Columbia, South Carolina, the best thing you can do is find a qualified attorney to represent you in your claim. Our attorneys at HHP Law Group are experienced in helping clients who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, whether it involves a car, truck, or motorcycle. Whether you were involved in an accident due to driver error or defects with your car or the roadway, we are here to help you.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, trucking accident, or motorcycle accident in Columbia or anywhere else in South Carolina, call us today. It is important for you to consult a South Carolina car accident attorney before you speak to the insurance company representing the other driver. They do not represent you in any way. While they may be polite and kind to you, their ultimate goal is to pay you as little as possible and to minimize their own company’s losses. Having an attorney who will represent you and advocate for your interests is important. So, if you are injured in a car accident, call our office today at 803-400-8277 for a free consultation.
How Much Will My Motor Vehicle Injury Claim Cost Me?
Our attorneys understand that many clients do not have the resources to fund their case upfront, especially if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and have lost work due to your injuries. All motor vehicle accident consultations with HHP Law Group are free of charge. If HHP Law Group represents you in your accident claim, it will be on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney fees are a percentage of any recovery by way of settlement or trial verdict. You will not owe us any money upfront or until you are awarded damages for your case.
I’m a Motorcyclist. What About A Motorcycle Accident?
Unfortunately, many drivers are not as careful as they should be around motorcycles, and since motorcyclists are often not as visible to drivers, they are at greater risk for accidents. Understandably, accidents involving motorcycles typically results in significant injuries.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical needs, lost wages, and general pain and suffering, and one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can assist you in your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Common Types of Accidents
Personal Vehicle Accidents
Many motor vehicle accidents involving two or more cars may be caused by driver error. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff, the person who experienced injury and is bringing a claim. This means that no matter how serious your injuries are, you must be able to prove that the other driver was at fault in causing the accident - and that your injuries were a result - to be entitled to compensation.
When you have a consultation with our motor vehicle accident attorneys, they will ask you a series of questions to attempt to determine whether you may have a claim. If our attorneys believe it is possible that there is a case to be made, we will work to gather all of the evidence necessary to present your case.
DUI Related Accidents
If you are the victim of a motor vehicle accident and the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensation related to your injuries. Demonstrating that the other driver was drunk or under the influence of drugs and that this impaired their driving ability is a key part of your case. Our attorneys are experienced in handling South Carolina DUI car accidents.
Road and Car Defects
Sometimes motor vehicle accidents occur because of a defect in one of the vehicles involved or a defect present on the roadway. Auto defects can range from a defective seatbelt to brakes to defective tires or a faulty steering wheel. Accidents may happen before any recall for the defective piece of equipment has been issued. Our Columbia, South Carolina motor vehicle accident attorneys can advise you further during a free consultation.
18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler accident, it is important to seek legal advice from Columbia truck accident lawyers as soon as possible. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, and failing to meet these deadlines can result in the loss of your legal rights. Working with an experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate the complexities of this type of case and give you the best chance to receive the compensation you deserve.
FAQs
What is negligence?
In general, negligence is the legal doctrine that requires people to conduct themselves in a reasonable manner. The elements of negligence are: A duty of care was owed by the defendant to the plaintiff; The defendant breached that duty, and as a result of the breach, the plaintiff has been damaged. All operators of motor vehicles have a duty of due care to operate the vehicle in a safe manner and follow the traffic laws of the state.
Who is responsible for the accident?
After an accident, an officer generally arrives on the scene and will provide you a document stating which party “contributed” to the accident. While this document may be useful for attorneys and insurance adjusters, it is generally inadmissible at trial because the officer did not personally witness the accident. The parties must prove fault through other means, including the testimony of the parties and witnesses, physical evidence including photographs, and expert witness.
What if both parties caused the accident?
In South Carolina, you can still recover your damages from a motor vehicle accident if you are partially at fault, so long as it is determined that you are less than 50% at fault. This is a doctrine that is known as comparative negligence.
What might I recover?
A party who has been injured or has died due to medical malpractice can recover damages designed to compensate them for their injuries/death. These include but are not limited to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, permanent injuries and impairment, disfigurement and scarring, pain and suffering, mental anguish and aggravation, and their loss of enjoyment of life or change in lifestyle. On rare occasions, the conduct of the health care provider may be so egregious that punitive damages, which are designed to punish the behavior, may be awarded to the injured party.
Should I hire an attorney for my accident claim?
In our experience, for most all car and trucking accident claims, insurance companies will not provide you fair value for your damages, particularly in more serious and complex claims, if you do not have an attorney. We have extensive experience in working with adjusters and know how to maximize your claim – by being willing and ready to take it to trial if necessary.
What do I need to have my case reviewed?
Before contacting the HHP Law Group for a consultation, if possible, gather your documentation from the accident, including any report provided to you by the policy, any photographs of the vehicles or your injuries, any related medical records and bills, etc., any information regarding lost wages.
Call Us Today
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, don’t wait. Call us today at 803-400-8277 to schedule your free consultation.