Cars are considered a reliable means of transportation. However, they are also known to cause a lot of damage and even loss of life as a result of accidents. Even though certain safety measures have been put in place to reduce the number of casualties, some car accident cases are unavoidable, especially those caused by drunk or reckless drivers.

The state of South Carolina does not condone such actions, and the law allows victims involved in a car accident to seek compensation for their damages by filing a personal injury claim. If you live in Aiken, SC, and have been involved in a car accident, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law, and we will review your case for free. Our Aiken car accident lawyers can help you recover the maximum compensation.

Car Accident Statistics in Aiken, SC

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, South Carolina has one of the highest rates of car accidents and fatalities in the nation. Reports indicate that a drunk driver is involved in a car wreck approximately every few hours, a passenger loses his or her life in an auto accident roughly every day, and a pedestrian is killed every 2 to 3 days as a result of a car crash.

How Much Does an Aiken Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we understand the stress that comes with dealing with a car accident, especially if you have sustained severe injuries. That is why we do not charge upfront fees for our legal services. Instead, we work on a contingency fee arrangement. This means we receive a percentage of the compensation you receive. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

A car accident is a stressful and scary experience. It’s important to follow these steps:

Contact Police

If you live in Aiken, SC, and have been involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do is contact the police. This is a legal requirement. Therefore, use your cellphone to call the police. Once you contact them, the police will gather all the necessary information, including your location, and will do their best to get to the scene as quickly as possible.

Check on Other Involved Parties

After contacting the police, do not leave the scene. Check on the other involved parties and find out whether they need help. If someone is stuck, try to free them slowly and with caution so that you do not make the situation worse. If you cannot free anyone, call for help, but make sure that you do not leave the other victims behind.

Another way you can help those involved in the car accident is by calling an ambulance for those who sustain severe injuries. You can also assist those with deep cuts by applying pressure to their wounds using a clean piece of clothing to stop the bleeding.

Exchange Info

Exchanging information is a legal requirement, so make sure you do not fail to do this. It does not matter whether you are at fault for the accident or not. The law requires all parties involved in the auto accident to exchange their information, which includes names, contact details, insurance information, and the license plate numbers of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Record the Scene

Man taking photos of vehicle after car accident. If another party is responsible for causing the accident, make sure that you record the scene or take photos so that you can have proof for your claim. You can also use recorded footage and photos as evidence when you file a personal injury claim with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Also, make sure that you capture key details such as damage to all vehicles, the crash site, and any traffic signals or signs surrounding or near the car accident.

Never Admit Fault

It does not matter how many people try to convince you that you are responsible for the car accident—what is important is that you never admit fault. Admitting fault can complicate your case, even if you are not the only one who contributed to the accident. You could end up paying for all the damages incurred by everyone involved in the car accident.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health and safety come first. That is why you should seek medical attention right away if you have sustained serious injuries. Moreover, it is still advisable to book an appointment with your doctor even if you feel okay, since some injuries—such as internal injuries—are not easily detected.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer

If someone else is to blame for the car accident, call us at Dr. Ted Injury Law, and we will help you take legal action against the defendant. Contacting us as soon as possible is vital so that we can start working on your case. Furthermore, besides getting your case reviewed for free, we will also advise you on what you can do to help build a strong case.

What is the Average Settlement For a Car Accident?

Every car accident case is different. Various factors are used to determine the settlement, including both current and future medical expenses, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering.

When Should I Get a Lawyer For My Auto Accident?

After being involved in a car accident, many victims wait until they have fully recovered to seek legal help. But at Dr. Ted Injury Law, we always advise clients to contact us immediately. That is because a personal injury lawyer can assist you in many areas, including writing your report or negotiating with other parties.

Why Do I Need an Aiken Car Accident Lawyer?

Aiken personal injury lawyer reviewing settlement offer.Hiring a personal injury lawyer comes with many benefits, such as protecting your interests and making sure that you get a fair settlement. Furthermore, a personal injury lawyer will also help you determine how much your injury claim is worth. Below are other benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer:

  • Investigate the crash to find new evidence and determine the party at fault.
  • Find potential witnesses and gather relevant information that can be used to strengthen your case.
  • File your injury claim even if you are still recovering.
  • Handle court proceedings and protect your interests.
  • Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance carriers for injuries sustained and damaged property.
  • Represent you in court if a settlement isn’t reached.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive For My Damages?

At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we always do our best to make sure that clients are fully compensated for their damages and injuries. Therefore, as a victim, you can expect to receive more or less based on the severity of your injuries.

What Type of Damages Can I Recover in Aiken, SC?

Courts may award car accident victims three types of damages:

  • Economic Damages: Economic damages involve compensation for financial losses such as medical expenses, damaged property, and lost income.
  • Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages cover losses that cannot be measured with a dollar value, such as pain and suffering or paralysis.
  • Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are awarded to the plaintiff to discourage the wrongdoer and others from reckless or negligent behavior. They are only awarded if the responsible party’s actions were reckless or willful.

While South Carolina limits punitive damages to three times the compensatory damage award or $500,000, there are exceptions. One exception is if the at-fault party’s judgment was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident in South Carolina?

In Aiken, South Carolina, a fault-based system is used to determine the liable party in a car accident. This means the at-fault party is required to pay for any damaged property and injuries sustained by the victims. In a car accident lawsuit, your attorney must prove the at-fault driver was negligent in order to recover compensation for you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in SC?

According to the state’s statute of limitations, car accident victims are required to file their injury claims within three years.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?

Filing an insurance claim is not easy, especially if it is your first time. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we will prepare a demand letter for your claim and send it to the insurance company. After sending the demand letter, our lawyer will wait at least thirty days before taking the matter to trial.

What Can I Do if Insurance Denied My Claim?

Stamp and the words claim deniedIf the insurance company denies your claim after you submit the demand letter, contact us at Dr. Ted Injury Law, and we will prepare the case for trial.

What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

In South Carolina, all drivers are required to have insurance or face heavy penalties. Therefore, if the other driver is not insured, he or she will be required to apply for insurance within 20 days; failure to do so will result in his or her DMV privileges being suspended.

How Can I Obtain an Accident Report in Aiken, SC?

You can obtain an accident report by filing an accident report form TR-310. After filling out this form, submit it to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Some of the most common injuries from car accidents include:

  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Death

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we handle the following types of car accidents:

  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Head-on collision
  • Hit & run accidents
  • Motorcycle accident
  • Pedestrian accident
  • Rear-end collision

Contact Our Aiken Car Accident Lawyers Today

It isn’t fair for you to pay medical bills and car repairs if someone else caused your car accident and injuries. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we have helped thousands of clients with their cases and made sure that they receive fair compensation. We charge no upfront fees. In fact, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Therefore, contact us by calling (800) 693-7833 today for a free case review.