Car accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence in Indian Land, SC. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, a traffic collision happens in the state every 3.7 minutes, with one person injured every 8.7 minutes and a fatality every 8.9 hours. Even a seemingly minor crash can cause significant injuries, leading to costly medical care, time off work, and prolonged pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in an auto accident in the Indian Land area, it’s important to seek legal guidance. Dealing with insurance adjusters and navigating the complex claims process can be overwhelming on your own. An experienced Indian Land auto accident lawyer can provide the support you need every step of the way.
David Blackwell Law, with offices in Indian Land and Lancaster, SC, serves clients throughout Lancaster County and York County. Whether you live in or are visiting Lancaster, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill, or surrounding areas, we’re here to help. Contact us today at (803) 232-7274 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation about your case.
Why Trust David Blackwell Law with Your Indian Land Car Accident Case?
When you reach out to David Blackwell Law, our skilled team of Indian Land car accident lawyers will:
- Thoroughly investigate the details of your crash
- Determine the cause of the accident, secure vital evidence, and identify all responsible parties
- Help you obtain the necessary medical treatment and ensure you have reliable transportation
- Assist in managing medical bill-related creditor issues
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and advocate on your behalf
- Accurately assess the full value of your case and work relentlessly to pursue fair compensation
- Negotiate for a full and fair settlement or take your case to court if necessary to secure the justice you deserve
Schedule a free consultation with a trusted Indian Land auto accident attorney today and take the first step toward getting the compensation you’re entitled to.
Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights After a Car Crash
When you have been involved in an 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 the 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 the 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.
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.
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.
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 include, but are not limited to:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Blind spots
- Aggressive driving
- Texting while driving
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Wrong-way driving
- Road hazards
- Driver fatigue
- Work zone construction
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:
- T-bone crashes
- Failure to yield accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Angled car wrecks
- Fatal crashes
- Fender benders
- Rollovers
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.
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? 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 Indian Land 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.