Walking the historic streets of Charleston, South Carolina should be a safe and enjoyable experience, but unfortunately, pedestrian accidents happen far too often. When a vehicle collides with a person on foot, the consequences can be severe, leading to complex legal, medical, and financial challenges.
Read the rest of this entry »Filing a Wrongful Death Claim: A Comprehensive Guide
There is nothing worse than losing a loved one, except perhaps losing a loved one as a result of someone else’s actions, whether negligent or intentional. If a close relative has been killed, you can seek justice with the help of a wrongful death attorney from our team at Yelverton Litigators in Charleston, SC.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim: A Comprehensive Guide
It’s not a requirement that you hire an attorney before filing a wrongful death claim, but it’s the best way to reduce your stress throughout the process and achieve a satisfactory outcome.
After a car crash, you might be confused about what steps you should take next. Once you get the medical care you need, you should file an accident claim with your car insurance company. Here are 5 steps you can follow and what our Charleston, SC car accident attorneys can do for you and your family in the wake of a motor vehicle collision.
1. Report the Accident to Police
If you are able, the first thing you should do is call the police to report the accident. Even if the damage was minor and there are no injuries, it’s critical to have an officer respond to the accident so a formal police report can be generated. This will have key information like the position of the vehicles, where the damage is located, and the officer’s personal observations.
If you ever get in a car accident, it helps to know in advance what you should do to protect yourself and others, both at the scene and for your future. Be sure to talk to a Hendersonville, NC motor vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure your right are protected and you’re able to get the compensation you need.
1. Think About Immediate Safety
The first step is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance. Even if you think no one was badly injured, you are required by law to stop and exchange information.
If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, you may feel overwhelmed with the next steps that you need to take. It is true that the legal system can be complex and difficult to navigate in Hendersonville, NC, and elsewhere, but having an experienced DUI victim lawyer by your side can help to ensure that your case is presented effectively and you receive any compensation that you are entitled to.
First Step – Seek Medical Attention
Before turning your attention to legal matters, it is vital that you seek medical attention after being involved in a drunk driving accident even if you feel fine. Some types of injuries, such as concussions and internal bleeding, may not immediately display any symptoms, but leaving them could have severe consequences.
Receiving proper medical care could also help you with any legal case you pursue afterward. Medical records that clearly demonstrate any injuries you suffered immediately after the accident, and during your recovery, can be used if you decide to seek compensation.
The Role of a Lawyer in Drunk Driving Victim Cases
When you’re involved in an accident or incident involving a drunk driver in Charleston, SC, the guilty party must be held to account. Hiring an experienced drunk driving accident attorney is the best way to ensure justice is served and you receive the compensation you deserve. From determining what your claim is worth to taking the case to court, we look at the role of a lawyer in drunk driving victim cases.
A Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Provides Legal Representation
A lawyer’s primary role is to represent you throughout the legal process. They will act on your behalf, looking after your best interests in negotiations and throughout court proceedings.
What Damages Can Drunk Driving Victims Claim?
Drunk driving accidents are devastating events that can leave victims with debilitating injuries, staggering financial losses, and profound emotional trauma. Driving while drunk is a reckless, negligent act, and those harmed by a drunk driver have the right to seek financial compensation for their suffering. Here’s some advice from a drunk driving victim lawyer serving Hendersonville, NC.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses stemming directly from the accident. Property damage is a clear cost related to the accident and can include the costs to repair or replace damaged vehicles or other personal property. Medical expenses due to the accident are also a significant part of economic damages that can and should be claimed after a drunk driving accident.
You can seek legal recourse if you suffer serious injuries caused by a drunk driver. Find out how a DUI accident attorney in Charleston, SC can help you get compensation to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.
Compensation for Drunk Driving Injury: Advice From a Charleston, SC DUI Accident Attorney
Understand the Available Damages
Unlike some states, South Carolina doesn’t limit the personal injury damages in a DUI case. You can recoup both economic and non-economic costs. Economic costs include the expenses you can tabulate, such as medical treatments, surgeries, time out of work, and property damage like the loss of your vehicle. Non-economic costs include expenses without a number attached, like loss of life enjoyment or pain and suffering.
In addition, the judge can award punitive damages in a DUI case. These fines punish the responsible individual in cases of extreme negligence. The state limits punitive damage to $500,000 or three times the personal injury damages awarded (whichever is larger).
A critical part of the role of a drunk driving accident lawyer is to help victims understand their legal rights. If you’ve been injured by someone’s drunk driving, contact our Hendersonville, NC office right away, and we’ll help you protect each of your rights and get compensation for your injury and losses.
Ask a Henderson, NC Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer: What Are My Rights as a Victim?
Right to Seek Compensation
If you are a victim of a DWI in North Carolina, you have the right to seek compensation. This compensation is not limited to medical expenses but can also cover lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In North Carolina, the law recognizes the devastating impact a drunk driving accident can have on your life and therefore allows for comprehensive claims to cover various damages.
Should you give a recorded statement to the insurance company? We’ll cut straight to it: No. Generally, you shouldn’t. Recorded statements are taped question and answer conversations with an insurance adjuster, usually taken over the phone, where the questions revolve around the accident in question. On the surface, recorded statements can seem harmless, however, they are often a tactic used by the insurance company to trick an injured party and devalue the claim.
One of the most important things to understand about recorded statements is that they are not required in order to process your claim. The insurance companies like to create an illusion that the statements are necessary in order for them to continue working on your claim. This assertion is false. A majority of automobile claims can be fully resolved without the injured party ever giving a statement to the insurance company. Remember, at the end of the day, the insurance company’s goal is to pay the least amount of money on a claim as possible. Recorded statements are just one of the tools they use in order to devalue claims.
Since the insurance company likes to do the recorded statements as soon as possible after an accident, the extensiveness of your injuries might be unknown at that time. For example, you might believe that you just have a back sprain or neck sprain but then, later on, discover you actually have a hairline fracture in your arm. The insurance company will often try to use what you told them as your original injuries to discount any additional injuries later discovered since you did not previously disclose them to the insurance company.
Additionally, the adjuster will compare your statement to any other statements given to the police officer or any other person in order to try to establish inconsistency in your story. This is troublesome because any statement by you can be used against you in court hearings, even if they are not taken under oath.
Already given a recorded statement to the insurance company? Don’t feel like you have ruined your case. The best next step is to cease contact with the insurance company and contact our office instead. We’ll take over and use our expertise to smooth over any potential issues caused by your recorded statement for your personal injury claim.
Connect with us
