If you were hurt in a car accident in Chesterfield County or anywhere in South Carolina, you should strongly consider hiring a competent Chesterfield County car accident lawyer who can help you attain the compensation you need to get back on your feet again. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to learn more about car accidents in South Carolina and how our firm can assist you.
Chesterfield County Car Accident Lawyer | Helping Car Accident Victims in SC
We understand, respect, and value the trust our clients place in us to help them when it matters most, which is why we seek to provide our clients with the personalized and dignified legal assistance they deserve. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you can rely on a Chesterfield County auto accident lawyer right here at our firm to guide you through every step of the legal process ahead.
Types of Car Accidents
There are several ways in which motorists can collide. The most common type of car accident is a rear-end accident, when one motorist crashes into the back of another. These are typically caused by drivers tailing others too closely and failing to brake on time. In most cases, rear-end accidents are the rear-ending vehicle’s fault. Other common types of car accidents include head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, single-vehicle collisions, and sideswipe accidents.
What to Do After a Car Accident
After an accident, it is of paramount importance that you take swift action to seek medical assistance and document the facts surrounding your accident. If you are hurt in an accident, if you can, you should do the following:
- Call law enforcement. They will send an ambulance to the scene and write up a police report regarding how the accident happened.
- While you wait for the police and your ambulance, ask the other driver for his or her insurance information and take a picture of his or her license plate.
- Take pictures of any damage to vehicles, property, and any injuries you sustained.
- Ask anyone who happened to see your accident for their contact information so you can reach them at a later date.
- Once you are treated at a hospital, you should obtain a copy of all medical documentation and bills relating to your accident.
- Finally, you should hire an experienced Chesterfield County car accident lawyer who can begin the personal injury claims process on your behalf in an effort to win you the financial compensation you deserve.
Will My Case Have to Go to Trial?
One of the most common questions we are asked is, “will my case have to go to trial?” For most, the answer is “no.” However, if we believe that you are being offered an inadequate settlement (as accident victims often are) we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for the maximum compensation on your behalf. If you’ve been hurt, why settle? Your recovery is the most important thing for us, and we are prepared to fight for the results you deserve and need.
Financial Compensation After a Chesterfield County Car Accident
As long as our firm has sufficient evidence to prove that you were hurt due to another party’s negligence, you should win your personal injury claim and receive financial compensation. This compensation can help you cope with the economic and non-economic damages you’ve sustained as a result of your car accident. Examples of economic damages can include lost wages from being unable to return to work, the cost of your medical treatment, damaged property, and more. Non-economic damages can include emotional trauma, pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and more.
Modified Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
It’s important that you understand how damages are calculated here in South Carolina. South Carolina law observes modified comparative negligence when it comes to personal injury claims. This means that as long as the plaintiff was less than 51% at fault for an accident, he or she may recover damages, however, the amount the plaintiff receives will be reduced by their percentage of fault. So, for example, if it is determined that you were 15% responsible for an accident, you will receive 15% less in compensation than you would if the other party were 100% responsible. Our firm is here to use the facts and evidence to help ensure your story is heard and that you receive the full compensation to which you are entitled.
Statute of Limitations in South Carolina
You should understand that in the state of South Carolina, there is a three-year statute of limitations in place for all car accident claims. This means that car accident victims are required to file their personal injury claim within three years of the date their accident happened. Waiting longer than this timeframe almost always results in the plaintiff being barred from suing. If you’ve been hurt, you should reach out to a Chesterfield County car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
Contact a Chesterfield County Car Accident Lawyer
The unfortunate reality is that serious car accidents happen every single day in the state of South Carolina. Often, the person injured in an accident is not the one who caused it. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, the time to act is now, and we are ready to help you, every step of the way. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation with our compassionate and aggressive legal team.
