When to Call a Lawyer After Your Car Accident: Here’s What to Know!

Automobile accidents can be incredibly distressing and often occur at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. After a collision, victims may be left with all kinds of problems, including stressful medical expenses, traumatic memories, painful injuries, and plenty of unanswered questions.

Here, we will discuss when you should call a car accident attorney after your South Carolina automobile collision. We will also walk you through what to do in the aftermath of your car wreck to protect your best interests (legally and financially). That way, you can stop wondering what to do next and start focusing on what really matters: healing and recovering!

When Should You Call A Lawyer After Your Car Accident?

It's crucial to know when to seek legal counsel after a car crash. Trying to navigate the aftermath of your collision alone can result in serious consequences including unfavorable out-of-pocket expenses, and even worse, being held wrongfully liable for something that was not your fault.

Understandably, most people are hesitant to contact a lawyer right after a crash. However, waiting too long to call a good lawyer can be a huge mistake. As a rule, you should call a lawyer as soon as possible after any automobile collision to ensure that your rights are protected and your best interests are represented from the start.

Some personal injury lawyers even offer car crash consultations to help you figure out if you have a strong case and what the best course of action after your wreck most likely will be. Here are some things to know and steps to take after your accident to help you prevent even more problems from arising after your crash. Why take unnecessary chances when you can get legal advice easily at no personal risk?

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in South Carolina

Here are some steps to take directly after your collision to protect your physical safety, financial interests, and legal rights.

1. Safety First: Keep Calm and Seek Medical Care

Before thinking about who may be held liable for any damages, get yourself and anyone else who was in the vehicle with you to safety. Evaluate if you should move off the road and immediately seek help from emergency services (take pictures before moving if it can be done safely). Even if your injuries seem minor, you should be evaluated by a medical professional.

If possible, write down the names and contact information of the first responders in charge, as well as your attending physician. This will help you gather important records and other facts to support your claims case later.

2. Call A Lawyer to Begin Addressing Legal Concerns Like Liability, Damages, and Insurance

After things have stabilized, it's time to seek help from a skilled legal professional with an in-depth understanding of personal injury law. Hiring a competent personal injury attorney after your automobile accident can be incredibly beneficial for several reasons. Here are some things your attorney may be able to do for you after a crash.

Your Lawyer Can Help You Recover Damages

For one thing, your lawyer can help you recover damages. These damages may apply to your physical person, passengers, or vehicle. The more severe your injuries and damages are, the more substantial your bills and expenses are likely to be. Someone must be held accountable to pay for damages of this kind, and if the person responsible for causing your accident is denying fault, your attorney can help to protect your interests.

An Attorney Will Know How to Deal with Insurance Claims Adjusters

In addition to this, your insurance company is sure to be involved after a collision. Unfortunately, insurance providers may try to deny your coverage claims. A skilled lawyer will be able to provide the necessary documentation needed to help ensure that your insurance claims are paid fairly. It is best to always consult a lawyer before giving any information to an insurance claims adjuster after your accident.

Other Things Your Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With

A competent personal injury attorney can help you with an array of other issues as well.

For example, your lawyer will help you if:

• A drunk driver was involved

• You were in a hit-and-run accident

• A third party or commercial vehicle operator was responsible for your collision

What to Know Before Seeking Compensation for Your Damages

It is important to understand that the severity of your injuries will be a major determining factor when considering damages and pursuing compensation after an accident. After all, if you were badly injured, you should be compensated fairly.

Some People Don't Realize What Their Claims Are Really Worth

Ongoing medical problems can become incredibly costly over time, and sometimes, people don’t realize just how much their claims are really worth. This can lead to settling for less than what you actually deserve. To prevent this, it is important to consult with a skilled legal professional as soon as possible.

Your attorney can support you and advise you as you pursue reimbursement for your rehabilitation costs and medical expenses. They can also assist you in calculating the actual value of your claims case. From there, your legal team can help you accurately keep track of your bills and expenses during the entire healing and recovery period.

Proving Fault After Your Car Accident May Be More Complex Than You Realize

South Carolina is an “at fault” or “tort” state. This means the person who is at fault for causing an automobile accident will be liable for paying damages to the other individuals involved. However, if the party at fault tries to deny responsibility, things can get complicated quickly.

If the at-fault party attempts to deny their liability or wrongfully accuses you of being responsible, the role of your attorney is more important than ever. Your lawyer will gather evidence about your accident to prove liability and represent your interests in the aftermath of an accident.

Moreover, in some instances, a third party may be involved. This third party should be held liable if they contributed to the crash in any way. For instance, if a construction company leaves debris on the road, it should be held responsible for a resulting collision. Your attorney will be able to determine all responsible parties regarding your collision and contact their insurance providers for you.

Let Your Lawyer Handle Negotiations with Insurance Claims Adjusters

In South Carolina, it is illegal to drive without minimum liability insurance. The insurance company of the at-fault party will be responsible for paying damages. However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. This means that insurance claims adjusters often try to reduce a claim amount as much as possible. Your attorney is there to prevent this from happening. After all, why should you settle for less than what you are rightfully owed?

Some claims are fairly straightforward while others are incredibly complex. It is critical to speak with an attorney before discussing anything with your insurance company or the insurance company of the at-fault party. Imagine having something that you said recorded and used against you to reduce your claims.

Instead of taking any calls from insurance adjusters, consider contacting an attorney right away to prevent making costly legal mistakes. A personal injury attorney can speak to insurance claims adjusters on your behalf and will know what to say to ensure that your compensation is adequate and equitable.

Don’t Wait, Call a South Carolina Personal Injury Auto Crash Attorney Now!

If you want to seek monetary recovery after your car crash, keep in mind that South Carolina has a statute of limitations on filing claims. Calling a qualified automobile accident personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your car accident is usually the best move. The sooner you call a personal injury attorney, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation are likely to be.

If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to the skilled South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Brian Robert Murphy. Proudly serving Rock Hill, Greenville, Charleston, and the surrounding areas, you can rely on our team to answer your questions and help you navigate the complexities of your car accident case. Call today for your free personal injury consultation!