When Should You Get a Lawyer For a Car Accident?

You should get a lawyer for a car accident as soon as you feel doing so is appropriate. Some lawyers may be able to represent a car accident victim immediately after a crash. Or, they may be able to take over your case if you are running into obstacles negotiating with insurance companies on your own, or if you are unhappy with how your case is being handled.

Many law firms offer free case evaluations so that you can discuss their services and get a better idea of if and when you may want to hire a lawyer. Many lawyers also operate on a contingency-fee-basis, where their attorney fees come as a portion of your settlement offer or court award, if and when they win your case. There are no hourly or upfront lump-sum fees in this arrangement.

How a Lawyer Can Help Soon After Your Accident

If you were involved in a collision, you might wish to explore all the legal options available to you. It is not uncommon to wonder: Can I settle a car accident claim without a lawyer? The answer is yes, you can, but you should not.

A lawyer may help you in several ways after a car accident, and the sooner that you retain their services, the sooner they can start working for you. In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, a lawyer may be able to:

• Document the scene of your accident, either personally or through a member of their team or a hired professional
• Provide you with legal advice and recommendations
• Handle communications with the insurance companies on your behalf
• Secure evidence that may be destroyed by the at-fault party
• Find insurance that you didn’t know was available

While we always strive to resolve cases short of litigation, there are many reasons to consider a lawsuit after an accident. In the worst cases, the injury that your loved one suffered could be fatal. If you lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, a lawyer may be able to represent you in a wrongful death lawsuit in accordance with South Carolina Civil Remedies and Procedures §15-51-10.

Proving Fault in a Car Accident

Fault is determined in the investigation by the police or state trooper and is included in the incident report. To reach a conclusion, officers collect data from a variety of sources. During the investigation, they take statements from witnesses, collect evidence from the scene, check traffic cameras for recordings of the collision, and more.

If authorities have determined you have contributed to the accident or were at fault, you may still overturn the finding if it does not reflect reality. An attorney can help you prove that you are not at fault in a car accident by:

• Going over eyewitness testimonies
• Investigate the other driver’s phone records for proof of distracted driving

Showing how the accident affected you through physical evidence of the economic and medical damages that you have suffered. However, to clear your name, you must provide well-documented and compelling evidence. If you are the at-fault driver, you may still have a case for any passengers in your car at the time of the car crash.

When there is a lack of evidence to point to an at-fault driver, an experienced lawyer can help you discover evidence that authorities may have overlooked. Therefore, with the right legal representation, you may still have a case if there is no at-fault driver in the accident.

The Potential Cost of a Car Accident

One way that a lawyer can assist you is by determining the value of damages you have suffered. Every accident is different, as is every accident victim, and it is important that your injuries and related losses are treated on an individual basis.

Depending on the specifics of the case, the recoverable damages in a personal injury case may include:

• The cost of emergency transportation and care
• The cost of any other medical expenses, such as those resulting from hospitalization, rehabilitation for your injuries, and more
• The cost of any medications you started taking after your injuries
• Scarring, disfigurement, or both
• Lost salary or wages due to a period of recovery
• Income that is lost permanently, or a diminished earning capacity, resulting from lingering symptoms of an injury
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

In a wrongful death case, the recoverable damages may include:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Pre-death medical care
• Loss of income

A lawyer may be able to demonstrate the value of your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, with testimony from friends and family, as well as medical and economic experts.

Car Accident Injuries

Every collision is unique. The speed of the vehicles at the time of impact, the type and weight of vehicles involved, and the crash dynamics of your collision could all determine the type and severity of the injuries you suffered.

Some injuries that can result from a car accident are:

• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Broken bones
• Serious burns
• Severe cuts
• Damage to internal organs
• Internal bleeding in various parts of the body

Make sure to have any car-accident injuries evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible after your accident. This may help you receive treatment and create a link in your medical record that your car accident caused your injuries, and not something else.

Call Hammack Law Firm Today

Hammack Law Firm represents car accident victims in and around Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, South Carolina. We also take cases in Pickens and Seneca. Our firm strives to provide warm, supportive, and helpful representation to our clients.

Therefore, if the accident happened in Spartanburg, do not hesitate to reach out to a compassionate Spartanburg accident attorney from our team for further guidance. A local lawyer knows all the ins and outs of the state and city legislature and procedures. This valuable knowledge base can help increase the chances of a positive outcome for your case.

If you are wondering when you should get a lawyer for your car accident, call Hammack Law Firm today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333. A member of our team is standing by to discuss your accident, our services, and your legal options for a free consultation on your case.

Keep in mind that, per South Carolina Civil Remedies and Procedures §15-3-530, a general three-year statute of limitations pertains to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in South Carolina.

Our Client Bill of Rights offers a 30-day unconditional satisfaction guarantee —no costs and no fees. We serve our Greenville clients in all areas of personal injury, including auto and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and boating accidents.

To get started with our Greenville personal injury law firm, please simply contact us online or call (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a free consultation.