No one plans to be in an accident, so when that day comes and you are caught by surprise, it’s natural to assume that you will have a lot on your plate. Aside from having your world turned upside-down, you will have to handle the following elements:
- Seeking medical attention
- Dealing with a damaged vehicle
- Filing a claim for damages
A personal injury attorney can handle the claims process and in turn, greatly reduce your stress.
Here are some common questions that people have after they have been injured in an accident:
- Should I go to the doctor?
- Should I use my own health insurance?
- What if I can’t afford medical treatment?
- Who will repair/replace my car?
- Should I settle with the insurance company?
- Will my insurance rates go up?
- Will I be compensated for missing work?
- Who will take care of me while I’m recovering?
- How will my household bills get paid if I’m not working?
A lawyer can answer all of these questions and more. If you were in a car accident, the insurance company will either pay for the repairs to your vehicle, or it will consider it a total loss. Don’t be surprised if the insurance company offers you less than what you need to repair or replace your damaged vehicle as this is how insurance companies typically operate.
If you don’t fully understand how insurance policies work, or if you don’t have the time or the energy to pursue a fair settlement, then you should secure the services of a personal injury attorney to ensure that you obtain a fair settlement.
When You Sustained Injuries
If you were injured in an accident, you should seek medical care right away. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove that your injuries resulted from the accident.
In regard to car accidents, South Carolina is a tort liability state. Tort liability means that the accident victim can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. South Carolina also uses the comparative negligence system, which means that if you are partially to blame for the collision, you can be barred from collecting damages for the percentage that you contributed to the accident. Since this alone can get confusing for non-attorneys, it’s wise to have a lawyer navigate you through the state’s insurance laws.
Challenges with the Insurance Company
As injured victims seek reimbursement from insurance policies, it is common practice to run into strong pushback from insurance companies. Insurance companies are concerned about their own profits, and they will try to avoid paying more than they need. They will check to make sure that every expense is valid and accounted for, and therefore you must save all of your receipts.
As Columbia personal injury attorneys, we have extensive experience working with insurance providers and always pursue the highest possible settlement for our clients.
Our goal is to ensure that you get more than just the bare minimum to cover medical bills and property damage to your vehicle (where applicable). We seek compensation for other damages such as:
- Pain & suffering
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earnings
If your injuries were more than a few minor bruises, and if you feel as if you need a lawyer to navigate your claim, contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC to schedule a free case evaluation.