Columbia Car Accident Lawyer Protecting Your Rights!

Being in a car accident can be a terrifying experience. Your first response when you’ve been involved in a crash is to get the medical treatment you need to be safe. Even if you don’t feel that you have been severely injured, you should be examined by a medical professional to be sure the adrenaline isn’t masking some harm done to you during the accident. Once you have been treated for any injuries, you should speak with a knowledgeable car accident attorney about whether you should sue for damages from the party at fault. If you live in South Carolina, your car accident claim will depend on how much fault you shared in the accident. As long as you are less than 50% at fault, you could recover monetary damages for expenses resulting from the car crash.

Before seeking compensation, however, you will want legal counsel from someone who understands the law and can give you an idea of what to expect during your auto accident lawsuit. At Lee Injury Law, LLC, we have helped thousands of clients seek compensation for the damage done by a negligent driver. We understand that whether or not your insurance company is helping you pay for the damages, you deserve assistance at this difficult time. We will handle the necessary paperwork, investigation, and other legal matters so that you can devote your time to resting and recovering. Don’t go it alone during the complicated process of suing for damages after your car crash. Give us a call today at (803) 855-1012 to see how we can help.

Who Is At Fault in My Car Accident?

One of the main questions the court will need to determine when awarding you compensation for your car crash damages is that of who is at fault. In South Carolina, this is determined based on percentage points between 0-100. This is done because the State recognizes that there are times when one party might share most, but not all of, the blame. For example, if you are rear-ended while sitting at a traffic light, the fault usually rests on the person who came up and hit you from behind. However, if one of your brake lights were out, you would share part of the responsibility for the crash because it was not totally clear to the other driver that you were stopped. Having working brake lights is part of the responsibility of owning a car, so you might carry a small portion (for example, 20%) of the fault in the accident.

If you are assigned half or more of the blame for the wreck, you will not be able to receive any compensation according to South Carolina law. For this reason, it is critical to speak with an experienced car accident attorney so you can avoid any extra blame being placed on you that you do not deserve. A talented and dedicated lawyer will investigate every detail of the incident to uncover details that show that you are not at fault, ensuring you receive maximum compensation. A lawyer can also counsel you on how to interact with other parties following the wreck. For example, you should avoid apologizing, as this can be used against you during the lawsuit proceedings. Even people who appear helpful and cooperative at the accident scene can quickly become strong opponents later. Hiring a trustworthy attorney who will be a strong ally is your best bet, so reach out to us today.

What Are Common Injuries from a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents account for millions of Americans being seen in emergency facilities in America every year. Whenever you are involved in any auto accident, you MUST SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT first and foremost. Be sure you are out of moving traffic and get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. You may feel you are not injured, but adrenaline can cause you to ignore the pain and not notice your injuries at first. Some harmful results of a crash can also go unnoticed because the injuries are internal.

The following are some common car crash injuries:

Whiplash – Whiplash and other neck injuries are not typically debilitating, but they can be extremely painful and take months to recover. During whiplash, you may lose mobility which makes it difficult to work. Whiplash can also result in dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and upper body pain.
Bone fractures of the limbs – Another common injury from car accidents is a broken bone. This often happens with the wrist and hands as the crash victim raises their arms to protect their face from impact. Repairing the delicate wrist and hand bones can require painful, expensive surgery. Other fractures could include those in the legs and feet. Drivers are especially vulnerable to foot injuries as these small bones break or are easily pulled out of place.
Head and brain injuries – Sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a car crash is one of an auto accident’s most troublesome and lasting effects. TBIs are very difficult to diagnose and even more challenging to treat. Yet the results of a TBI can include concussions, memory loss, and mental health issues like ADHD and depression. If you’ve been in a crash and sustained a head injury, be sure to tell your doctor.
Burns – Burn injuries could occur if the car catches fire because of the collision. Burns are extremely painful and can leave lasting scars and nerve damage. Some people experience burns because of the releasing airbag as well.
Back injuries – Back injuries can lead to excruciating conditions that can seriously affect your ability to work and enjoy meaningful activities. Some back injuries that are common following a car crash are a pulled back, a herniated disc, a ruptured disc, a pinched nerve, or further nerve damage. Severe spinal cord injuries may even result in partial or full paralysis.
Soft tissue injuries – these injuries take place in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and internal organs and can be challenging to diagnose at first. This is why it is vital to be seen by a medical professional after experiencing a car accident.

After you have been treated for any medical conditions arising from your car accident, please see a trusted legal professional in Columbia, SC, like the car accident lawyer at Lee Injury Law, LLC, so that you can get fully compensated for your injuries.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

When you have been in an SC car accident, your top priority should be resting and recovering from your serious injuries. This can be difficult to do with the burden of a lawsuit falling on your shoulders. You don’t need to carry the responsibility of seeking justice after you were injured because of someone else’s poor decisions. The at-fault driver should answer for the harm they have done to you, and a Columbia car accident lawyer is key to getting fair compensation for your personal injury.

Experienced car accident lawyers will know how to build a strong case that shows your innocence. An SC car accident attorney can also collect the evidence necessary to prove to the court that you deserve full compensation. This could mean providing footage of the crash and documentation of medical bills. A fair settlement is possible when you have the right legal representation, but it can be complicated to do on your own.

Please don’t rely on workers’ compensation or your insurance company to cover the expenses involved in your wreck. Reach out to the Columbia car accident lawyer at Lee Injury Law, LLC, and use our experience and knowledge to your advantage. Many people find that the at-fault driver was cooperative at the scene of the crash but later seeks to place the blame on you. With an auto accident attorney on your side, you can be protected from any unfair treatment. If you’re unsure whether filing a personal injury claim is right for you, just call us. We offer a free case evaluation to see how we can help, so call us today.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover in a Columbia, SC Car Accident Lawsuit?

The financial compensation you recover from your Columbia, SC car accident lawsuit depends on several factors, including the damages incurred to your body and vehicle, whether you carry any blame in the accident, and what intangible losses you’ve suffered. Once the monetary damages are calculated, the final amount will be assigned based on the percentage of fault for the other party. For example, consider our earlier example where you were rear-ended, but your brake light was out. If the court finds that you were 20% to blame, you will have 20% of the final amount deducted, leaving you with 80% paid expenses for damages from the crash.

The damages from a Columbia car crash come from both economic damages and non-economic damages, as follows:

Economic Damages

In personal injury cases, the economic damages a person can win are easily calculable items.

Typical economic damages can include:

Past and future medical bills
Past and future lost earnings
Property damage
Reduced income

Your Columbia car accident attorney can help you gather the documentation necessary to easily prove the total number of economic damages, so you receive full and fair compensation.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to prove, as they include intangible items such as:

Past and future pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of companionship for a loved one who died
Reduced capacity to enjoy life
Mental anguish

While these categories of personal injury are difficult to put a price tag on, they are significant and should not be ignored during your car accident lawsuit. Contacting Lee Injury Law, LLC is a great way to begin calculating how much you honestly deserve following your auto accident.

When Should I Contact a Car Accidents Lawyer About My Accident?

The best time to reach out to a lawyer about your auto accident is right away once you are safe and have received medical attention. The legal process of filing for damages from the accident can be lengthy, and you don’t want time to run out to legally recover the compensation you are owed. In the state of South Carolina, you must come forward within a three-year time limit following the event. This may seem like plenty of time, but life tends to get in the way, and you may soon find yourself out of time for filing your car accident claim.

Not all cases go to trial, and many people can settle with an offer outside of court. However, there are times when it is necessary to bring a lawsuit if the other party refuses to cooperate. Should this occur, you want to give yourself plenty of time by beginning the process as soon as possible. Some steps you’ll make with your attorney’s help are gathering evidence and requesting the documentation your lawyer needs to build a strong case. Your Columbia car accident lawyer will also be able to advise you on how to interact with your insurance company to get the payment you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation where we can help you get started recovering compensation for your car accident injuries.

What Are Some Likely Causes of Car Wrecks?

While no one is perfect, making a mistake while driving can be costly in property damage and bodily harm to other drivers and passengers. When someone operates a motor vehicle, they owe a duty of care to others on the road and should drive in a careful, responsible manner. However, many drivers ignore the laws and drive negligently, resulting in injury to others.

Some ways that South Carolina drivers commonly abuse their driving privileges are:

Distracted driving – Failing to pay attention to the road for any reason is distracted driving. This includes using a cell phone or other wireless communication device.
Driving under the influence – Driving while impaired is a serious infringement of the law that often results in dangerous collisions.
Driving aggressively – Some examples of aggressive driving that can lead to a wreck are tailgating, changing lanes without a signal, not yielding the right of way, or ignoring traffic rules and control devices.
Speeding – Driving at a higher speed than the posted speed limit is illegal and can cause a driver to easily lose control and crash into another person or vehicle.
Not being careful in adverse conditions – Driving at night or during rain or freezing weather can be extremely hazardous. All drivers on the road in these conditions should take extra care to obey the speed limit to avoid an auto accident.

If you are suffering because of a driver who did not safely operate their vehicle, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Contact Lee Injury Law, LLC for help today.

What are Some Types of Car Accidents in SC?

There are several common types of wrecks in South Carolina, and the form of accident you were in may determine what injuries you sustain and what compensation you receive.

The following are some common types of auto accidents:

Rear-end collisions – These accidents are some of the most common in South Carolina. They occur when one car is driving slowly or stopped, and another collides with it from behind. Rear-end crashes typically result in drivers sustaining injuries like whiplash or back problems.
Sideswipe accidents – This type of collision occurs when two cars travel in the same direction and vehicles make contact. Sideswipe accidents often occur on highways and can lead to injuries for people in both cars.
Side-impact collisions – These accidents are hazardous as one vehicle hits directly into the side of another. They are also referred to as “T-bone accidents.”
Head-on collisions – Another severe form of a car crash is when two vehicles collide from opposite directions. The results of these accidents are always devastating and often fatal.
Rollover accidents – As the name suggests, in a rollover accident, the vehicle tips onto its side or roof at least once, sometimes several times. The occupants are often ejected and can be seriously injured.

Should I Hire a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer?

If you were involved in an auto accident due to another person’s irresponsible driving, you deserve excellent legal representation from an experienced attorney. At Lee Injury Law, LLC, our Columbia auto accident attorney can help you as you seek compensation for the injuries caused by a negligent driver.

With the medical expenses and property damage you’ve sustained, you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. You might also be mourning the wrongful death of a loved one if the crash was very serious. You don’t need to go it alone at this difficult time.

Lawyer Tyler Lee has the knowledge and experience necessary to get the results you need from your car accident claim. Reach out to our law firm today to see how we can help you get full compensation, then relax and know that your case is in great hands. Call our talented legal team today at (803) 855-1012 for a free consultation.