South Carolina is a fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. If you were involved in an accident that was not your fault, you could file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company.
But how much money can you expect to receive? This is a difficult question to answer, as the value of a case depends on many factors.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options and can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in South Carolina?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question. Every personal injury claim is different, and each car accident victim’s experiences are unique. The value of your case will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your accident. And even if we could identify an average settlement amount, it may not be beneficial to you.
If a lawyer claims they can tell you exactly how much your case is worth, they are probably not being completely honest with you. No one can say for sure how much money you will receive from the insurance company. However, there are some things that we can look at to help us determine the value of your case.
Damages You Are Entitled To in a South Carolina Car Accident Claim
The first step in valuing your car accident case is identifying the damages you are entitled to. In South Carolina, injured victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those that do not have a specific monetary value. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those that do have a specific monetary value. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Future lost income
The amount of money you can recover from your injuries will depend on the severity of your injuries. For example, if you suffered a broken bone in the accident, you will likely be able to recover more money than if you only suffered minor cuts and bruises.
The value of your case will also depend on how long it takes you to recover from your injuries. If you cannot return to work for an extended period, you will be able to recover more money than if your recovery is relatively short.
Wrongful Death Damages
You may be entitled to recover wrongful death damages if you have lost a loved one in a car crash. These damages are meant to compensate the victim’s family for their loss. They can include
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of love and companionship
- Grief and sorrow
Steps To Calculating Your Car Accident Settlement In South Carolina
Now that we have discussed the various damages you may be entitled to, let’s discuss how to calculate your settlement. Here are a few steps you can take to get started:
- Get a copy of your medical records and bills related to the accident. This will help you document the cost of your medical treatment.
- Calculate your lost wages. This includes any wages you have lost since the accident and any future earnings you will lose because of your injuries.
- Add up your property damage expenses. This should include the cost to repair or replace any damaged items, such as your car.
- Add up all of your economic damages to get a total amount.
Now, you will need to determine a fair amount for your non-economic damages. This can be more difficult as these damages have no set monetary value. You may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to help you calculate a fair amount for your non-economic damages.
Once you have calculated the total value of your damages, you will need to determine how much the at-fault party should be responsible for. If the at-fault party is 100% responsible for the accident, you may be able to recover the total amount of your damages from their insurance company. However, if the at-fault party is only partially responsible for the accident, you will only be able to recover a portion of your damages.
How Comparative Negligence May Impact Your South Carolina Car Accident Settlement
It is important to note that South Carolina is a comparative negligence state. The law states that as long as the plaintiff is less than 51% responsible for an accident, they will be eligible for financial recovery from the defendant. As long as you can prove that you do not have the majority share of fault for causing the accident, you will be able to recover damages from the at-fault party.
However, it is important to note that your percentage of fault will reduce your damage award. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your damage award will be reduced by $20,000. That means that you would recover $80,000.
It is important to note that you can still recover damages even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. However, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected.
What If The At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
South Carolina requires all drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage for personal injuries and related damages of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as part of their car insurance policy. This coverage will protect you if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may still be able to recover damages through your own insurance policy.
How to Get the Most Money Possible for Your South Carolina Car Accident Case
Here are some tips to help you get the most money possible for your South Carolina car accident case:
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
One of the best things you can do for your case is to hire an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney will know how to investigate your accident, identify all liable parties, and build a strong compensation claim.
An experienced car accident attorney will also know how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best possible settlement. And if the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.
Get Medical Treatment for Your Injuries
Another important thing you can do is get medical treatment for your injuries. It’s important that you see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Not only will this document your injuries, but it will also help you recover from your injuries.
The sooner you get medical treatment, the sooner you will be able to return to work and your normal activities. This will also help to show that your injuries were caused by the car accident and not by something else.
Keep track of all your expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, missed work, and property damage. This will help you get compensated for all of your losses.
Don’t Wait to File Your Claim
You only have a limited time to file a car accident claim in South Carolina. If you wait too long, you may miss your chance to get the money you deserve.
So if you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait to call an experienced car accident attorney. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and build a strong compensation case.
Contact a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been in a car accident, contact an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney today. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and get the compensation you deserve.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We value the attorney-client relationship and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients throughout South Carolina, including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lexington, Columbia, and Charleston.
