Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, SC

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South Carolina has some of the most dangerous roads in the country. However, no one in this state anticipates getting into a car accident until it happens. 

And when an accident occurs, having questions is understandable:

  • What will happen to my car? 
  • Who is going to pay for the repairs? 
  • How long will my car accident take to resolve? 
  • Who is going to pay for my hospital and medical bills? 
  • Should I speak with the other party’s insurance adjuster? 
  • How long will this accident affect my life? 
  • Should I get a lawyer?

If you have any or all of these questions. Fortunately, a car accident lawyer in South Carolina can answer your questions and provide legal guidance during this difficult time.

A Typical Look at Average Car Accident Cases in Columbia, SC

As a team of car accident lawyers in South Carolina, we often help our clients understand what to do after traumatic events. After this stressful and scary situation, there are three primary things to focus on.

Car accident lawyers driving down a city road in a black SUV in South Carolina

Seeking Medical Attention

Your health and safety are the most critical factors during the aftermath of a car accident. Completing this step often also strengthens your car accident settlement.

Finding a Car Accident Lawyer in South Carolina

If you sustained injuries in a car accident, seek an attorney quickly. Insurance companies have been through this hundreds of thousands of times; they have the experience that you don’t, and you need an auto accident lawyer in Columbia, SC, who will fight them for you to get you the compensation you are entitled to and deserve.

Plus, a Columbia, SC, lawyer can prove beneficial to help you form your car accident case. Having the strongest possible case could mean the difference between a victory or defeat in court. The other party may also be quicker to offer a substantial settlement when learning you have professional legal representation. A lawyer in South Carolina can also assist you with obtaining car accident settlements.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

As soon as your accident happens, the at-fault driver’s insurance company starts working immediately. Quite possibly, they may offer you a few hundred dollars within a day or two to “make you go away,” especially before you hire an attorney. This situation is unfortunate because it often takes a week for someone to realize their injuries from the accident are more serious than they initially thought.

The insurance company’s goal is to ensure they pay as little money as possible to keep their profits high. Our car accident attorney team’s goal is to stand up to insurance companies. Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, regularly negotiates on behalf of our clients during their car accident cases throughout the Columbia, South Carolina area.

No matter the size of an insurance company you’re up against, Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC is ready to represent you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Cases in South Carolina

At Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, we often receive questions about car accident laws. Let our team of experienced car accident attorneys in South Carolina answer our most frequently asked questions.

A vehicle driving at a fast speed down a highway

What is the car accident rate in South Carolina?

According to annual figures, about 150,000 car accidents happen yearly in South Carolina. This state often ranks higher than the nation’s average figures for yearly accidents. Using data from 2021, South Carolina drivers suffer fatal injuries at an accident rate of 1.97.

Where does South Carolina rank compared to other states in car accidents?

Unfortunately, South Carolina often places above the national average regarding car accidents. The previously mentioned fatal car crash rate of 1.97 sadly puts South Carolina in the state with the most traffic fatalities per 1,000,000 miles drivers traveled. That said, this data comes from a 2020 study. However, it’s common to see South Carolina often placed highly on national car accident-related lists.

Where do most car accidents happen in South Carolina?

According to a 2021 study by Insurify, Charleston is the South Carolina city with the most at-fault car accidents. In Charleston, 15.76% of drivers have prior at-fault car accidents on their records. This figure is 1.06 times higher than South Carolina’s average. Motor vehicle accidents are also common in popular South Carolina cities such as Columbia, Mount Pleasant, and Myrtle Beach.

Is South Carolina a no-fault accident state?

No. South Carolina is an at-fault accident state, meaning that the driver at fault for an accident is liable for the damages it causes. A no-fault state allows each involved party to receive necessary medical treatment. That’s because no-fault states only focus on medical treatment-related matters, meaning one driver can hold another liable for vehicle and property damage.

A broken windshield used for evidence in a car accident settlement

What are the compensation laws for car accident cases in Columbia, South Carolina?

Understanding South Carolina’s compensation laws for car accidents is vital. In this state, you must be 50% or less responsible for the crash that happened. If a South Carolina judge or jury finds you responsible for 51% or more of a car accident, you can not seek damages or attempt to obtain compensation for this incident.

A car accident lawyer in South Carolina can provide a more in-depth understanding of this state’s compensation laws and how they pertain to your case.

What is South Carolina’s statute of limitations for pursuing legal action after a car accident?

A statute of limitations is how long you have to report a crime. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents is three years. This statute means you must file a personal injury claim three years after your car accident. You won’t be legally able to file a claim after three years pass. There are certain scenarios where you are limited to a two-year statute of limitations. This is typically for government entities and non-profit organizations (which include hospitals). Therefore, it is critical to seek an attorney well before the two-year mark to help ensure you do not miss the statute of limitations for your case.

How is fault determined after a car accident in South Carolina?

Considering the damage caused by typical car accidents, it typically takes several parties in South Carolina to assess fault.

First, as often legally required, law enforcement should arrive at the scene of your accident. Police officers can use security camera footage, eyewitness accounts, driver’s statements, and other sources of information to determine fault in their investigations. Insurance company representatives for each driver will also want to check out this accident scene. There are times when the police officer may find you at-fault for a car accident but the officer may be wrong. It is important to remember that just because an officer finds you at-fault, you should still consult with an attorney if you believe the responding police officer is mistaken.

If you and a car accident lawyer in SC go to court, a judge or jury will conduct a trial-related investigation to determine who’s at fault after a collision.

What is the average settlement for a car accident case in Columbia, South Carolina?

The average car accident settlement can vary. Additionally, it’s nearly impossible to accurately determine a precise average due to many different factors that come into play in a car accident. If your accident resulted in minor injuries, an average of $1,000 to $10,000 is possible. Motor vehicle accidents leading to more severe injuries or death can yield settlements anywhere from $25,000 to six or seven-figure totals. Each case is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Venue and jurisdiction, aggravating factors such as a DUI or hit and run, the amount of insurance the at-fault driver has, and the extent of your injuries are all important factors in determining a car accident settlement value for your case.

You can obtain a more accurate range by speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC.

What is a good car accident settlement figure to propose?

A “good” settlement figure is only possible to know after a legal professional hears the details of your case, including injuries, pain, suffering, and vehicle-related damage.

How long does it take to settle a car accident in South Carolina?

As with determining a post-accident settlement, there’s no way to predict how long it will take to settle your car accident claim. Some people or companies want to avoid legal issues and may quickly offer an attractive settlement. Should the other party not provide a settlement worth accepting, matters go to court by us filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. We only file lawsuits on behalf our clients if our clients do not want to accept the insurance company’s “highest” offer.

The court process typically involves car accident lawyers in South Carolina representing each driver. If that happens, expect your case to take longer to resolve. Sometimes, drivers, companies, and insurance businesses can resolve an accident in several weeks. When neither party budges, the aftermath of a car accident may take one to two years to resolve.

A team of lawyers who handle car accident cases in Columbia, SC

Have Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Your Corner in Columbia, SC

Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, is an experienced personal injury law firm. We ensure that our law firm gets big-firm results while maintaining a small-firm level of attention to each client we serve. After working with and helping many of South Carolina’s hard-working people, our car accident attorneys know exactly what they’re going through.

If a negligent driver caused an accident that injured you or a loved one, call our Columbia SC auto accident lawyers at Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, at 803-973-0304 or in Charleston at 843-388-3368 for help today!

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