Charleston Car Accident Lawyer
One moment you are driving down the highway on your way to work. The next moment your car is a twisted wreck of metal in the middle of the road and you are on your way to the hospital. That is how quickly–and devastating–a car accident can be.
In many cases, you may never have had a chance to see the driver who hit you. It is only later that you learn the full story of what happened. You are understandably angry and want to hold the driver accountable. Your first step should be to contact an experienced Charleston car accident lawyer.
At the Stanley Law Group, we have been assisting car accident victims since 1990 in fighting for the financial compensation they are entitled to under South Carolina law. We know how to deal with negligent drivers and their insurance companies. And we will make every effort to resolve your case in your favor, whether by negotiated settlement or courtroom litigation.
How South Carolina Law Protects You Following a Car Accident
South Carolina is an “at-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. Put simply, a negligent driver can always be held legally responsible for the injuries they cause. The victims are never required to seek compensation through their own auto insurance carrier first.
Establishing fault means proving that the driver violated the legal duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. This can be something as simple as running a red light. It can also mean drunk or distracted driving. Even if a driver is never ticketed–or criminally charged–for their actions, they can still be held legally accountable for their negligence in civil court.
Keep in mind, the general purpose of a personal injury claim is not to punish the defendant for their wrongdoing. It is to compensate the victims of the car accident for their losses arising from the defendant’s negligence. Such compensation can broadly be broken down into two categories:
- Economic Damages: This is the measure of your direct financial losses incurred as a result of the accident, such as your medical bills, loss of income, and the costs of repairing or replacing your own damaged vehicle.
- Non-Economic Damages: Any damages that cannot be precisely quantified yet still clearly exist are considered non-economic. This often includes your pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and your inability to enjoy the same quality of life as you did before the car accident.
In some cases, a South Carolina court may also award exemplary or punitive damages for a car accident. This requires proof of more than simply negligent conduct. The victim must show the defendant engaged in “wilful, wanton, or reckless conduct.” A common example of this would be a driver who causes an accident due to intoxication.
Let Our Charleston Car Accident Lawyers Help
South Carolina law gives you three years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But you should not wait that long to act. If you have been recently hurt due to the actions of a reckless or negligent driver and need legal counsel from a skilled Charleston car accident lawyer, call the Stanley Law Group at 803-799-4700 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
