Newberry Car Accidents
No one expects a routine drive to end in tragedy, yet there are over 140,000 car accidents every year in South Carolina. When a car accident occurs, it can lead to financial instability, devastate your family, and leave you unable to work. That’s why it’s important to take the right steps after a crash, figure out if you have a personal injury claim, and fight for any compensation you’re owed.
The team at Peake & Fowler has extensive experience in car accident claims. We know that, as a victim, you likely deserve more than the insurance company is offering. Learn more about your legal options now by calling us at 803-788-4370.
How We Can Help You After a Car Accident
You can expect any car accident to leave you feeling overwhelmed and isolated. There’s so much to do, but between the pain and the sudden financial stress, how do you get any of it done? That’s where we step in to help. If the other driver or another party caused the car accident, it’s likely that you are entitled to compensation. But if you don’t know how to work with insurance companies, you have a low chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
As you recover, we’ll begin investigating your car accident. We’ll gather the necessary evidence, examine it, and determine whether or not you have a valid personal injury claim. From there, we’ll evaluate how much your claim is worth and help you understand the possible outcomes of your claim.
Once we have a solid understanding of how your accident happened and how your injuries have affected you, we’ll start negotiating with the insurance company. This is where it is really important to have a Newberry, SC personal injury attorney.
Insurance adjusters are well-trained in a variety of ways to deny claims and make low settlement offers. If you talk to them directly, they could put the blame for the accident on you, downplay your injuries, or lie about the financial value of your injuries. This puts you in a position where you feel like you must accept their initial settlement offer.
Our team knows every tip and trick that insurance companies use, and we won’t let them drive down the value of your settlement just so they can boost their profit margins. By crafting a strong claim that showcases your injuries and their client’s liability, we will put them in a place where they need to offer a full and fair settlement.
Common Car Crash Causes and Injuries
With an average of nearly 400 accidents happening daily in South Carolina, you might be surprised to hear that the vast majority of these crashes come down to human error. Some of the most commonly reported causes of car accidents include:
- Driving while impaired
- Driving while distracted
- Speeding, either above the speed limit or too fast for conditions
- Ignoring red lights and stop signs
- Failure to yield right of way
- Driving while fatigued
- Poor weather conditions
- Driving recklessly or aggressively
Some accidents are not the fault of either driver. If there is a faulty vehicle component, an unsafe repair, or unclear road signs, a third party might be liable for the crash and both parties’ injuries. However, in most cases, accidents are caused by one or both drivers.
Injuries vary widely, depending largely on what type of crash you’re in and the speed of both vehicles. Commonly reported injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Cuts and lacerations
- Herniated discs and other types of spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
What to Do After a Newberry, SC Car Accident
From the very beginning, you have to be thinking about protecting yourself and preparing for a possible personal injury claim. It can be difficult to do the right thing when you’re full of adrenaline and trying to process a car accident but doing the right things during this time can help you get the compensation you deserve. Follow these steps after an accident:
- Report the accident. It does not matter if the accident seems minor or if you think you don’t have any serious injuries. To seek compensation, either from your own insurance company or the other party’s insurance company, you will need a police report. When you call the accident in, tell them about any visible injuries so they can send medical assistance if necessary.
- Gather photo and video evidence. If you are not seriously injured, take a few minutes to take photos of the crash scene from a variety of angles and distances. If possible, you should also get some video footage of the crash scene.
- Exchange contact information. After you have given the police officer your side of the story and been given permission to leave, stop to exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver. If there are any witnesses on-site, make sure you get their contact information as well.
- See a doctor. Seeking medical attention after a car accident is crucial. It creates a timeline of your injuries and gives you evidence of your injuries that you can use to seek compensation.
- Contact an attorney. When you meet with your personal injury attorney, make sure you provide them with all the evidence you have gathered. Talk to your attorney before you have any contact with the other party’s insurance company.
Pursuing Compensation
The amount and type of compensation you get is primarily determined by the severity of your crash. Many settlements provide compensation for:
- Medical bills, including initial treatment costs, ambulance transportation, follow-up appointments, surgical expenses, and prescription costs
- Future medical expenses if your injuries are severe enough to require long-term treatment
- Lost wages to compensate you for the time spent away from work
- Future lost income if your injuries leave you permanently unable to work or limit your career advancement opportunities
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Contact Peake & Fowler Today to Discuss Your Claim
If you’re ready to get started on your personal injury claim, we’re here to help. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 803-788-4370 or filling out our online contact form
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9357 Two Notch Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29223
Phone: (803) 788-4370
fax: (803) 788-7432
Email
Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A., is located in Columbia, SC and serves clients in and around Newberry, Lexington, Sumter, Allendale, Orangeburg, St. Matthews, Bishopville, Florence, Blythewood, State Park, Eastover, Columbia, Elgin, Irmo, Hopkins, Ridgeway, Lugoff, Ballentine, West Columbia, Kershaw, Camden, Dusty Bend, and Richland County, Lexington County, Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, Sumter County, Kershaw County, Newberry County, Fairfield County, Lee County, Clarendon County and Florence County.