South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
South Carolina auto accident attorneys steer our clients to the right results
With more than 100 years of combined experience, the South Carolina car accident attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, are seasoned legal advocates for car accident victims and their families. We understand how complicated auto accident cases can be. You have immediate worries about getting healthy and having money to pay for daily bills. In the long run, you might be concerned about receiving the right follow-up care and ensuring all your medical bills are paid. On top of everything, you may be getting the run-around from insurance companies.
When expenses start piling up and the other side refuses to cooperate, count on our experienced South Carolina auto accident lawyers to handle your complex car accident case. We are not afraid to take on big insurance companies who might offer you a “lowball” settlement before the true cost of your injury is known, and we are prepared to take your case to a jury. With more than 20 attorneys at the firm and a large support staff, McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC leaves no stone unturned when building a strong case against the at-fault party.
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How Can We Help?
- What should I do after a car accident in South Carolina?
- Why should I hire a South Carolina car accident attorney?
- What is the statute of limitations on a South Carolina car accident?
- What are common reasons for car accidents in South Carolina?
- What are the different types of car accidents?
- What are the most common car accident injuries?
- Who is liable for my car accident injuries in South Carolina?
- Who pays my medical bills after a car accident?
- What is the value of my South Carolina accident claim?
- Why our South Carolina clients come first at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC
- Do you have a car accident attorney near me?
What should I do after a car accident in South Carolina?
If you are involved in a car accident, you should take the following steps if you are able:
- Check for injuries. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately.
- Move your vehicle to a safe location. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a parking lot. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and wait for help to arrive.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s). This includes your name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information as well.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene. This includes photos of the damage to your vehicle, the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident, and the surrounding area.
- File a police report. Even if your accident is minor, it is a good idea to file a police report. Typically, responding officers will fill out this report. It will create an official record of the accident and can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.
- Consider contacting an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can represent you in any legal proceedings that may arise from the accident.
Why should I hire a South Carolina car accident attorney?
There are many reasons why you should hire a car accident attorney, especially if you have been seriously injured in an accident. Our South Carolina car accident attorneys:
- Have experience dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to make money. This means that they will often try to lowball you on your settlement offer. A car accident attorney knows how to negotiate with insurance companies, prepare your case for a jury trial, and get you the compensation you deserve.
- Know the law. Personal injury law is complex, and it can be difficult to navigate on your own. A car accident attorney can explain your legal rights and options, and help you build a strong case against the other driver.
- Handle all the paperwork and legwork involved in your case. This can free up your time so that you can focus on your recovery.
- Work on a contingency basis. This means that you only pay them if they win your case.
What is the statute of limitations on a South Carolina car accident?
The statute of limitations for a car accident in South Carolina is generally three years from the date of the collision.
This means that if someone was injured or killed in a car crash, they or a representative should file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver within three years.
The three-year period starts on the date of the accident. However, for wrongful death lawsuits, the three-year period starts on the day of the accident victim's death.
The statute of limitations can vary, so it's important to consult with a car accident attorney to understand the specific time limitations that may apply to your case. If you miss the deadline, you can lose your right to legal action.
What are common reasons for car accidents in South Carolina?
When you retained an attorney at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, a South Carolina car accident lawyer reviews how and why the accident occurred so we can explain to an insurance company, opposing counsel, or jury why another person or company is legally responsible. Typical reasons for car accidents include:
An accident may have also occurred due to speeding or a driver’s lack of attention to posted traffic signs. For example, a vehicle operator may have run a red light or failed to yield to another automobile in a four-way stop. Some crashes are even caused by greater lapses in judgment, such as driving the wrong way down a one-way street, tailgating, or driving while fatigued.
See Also: Dram Shop Liability
What are the different types of car accidents?
How the vehicles collide is different for each accident. The type of impact can be used to help determine who caused the accident and what injuries the accident might reasonably cause. Some of the more common types of accidents our firm will review are:
What are the most common car accident injuries?
The most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then back. It is the most common injury from car accidents and is often caused by rear-end collisions.
- Soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can include sprains, strains, and tears. Soft tissue injuries are common in car accidents and can be very painful and long-lasting.
- Broken bones. Broken bones are another common injury from car accidents. Commonly broken bones in car accidents are the ribs, legs, arms, and pelvis.
- Head injuries. Head injuries can be very serious, and can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Even a mild head injury can have long-term consequences.
- Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries are the most serious type of car accident injury and can lead to paralysis.
Other common car accident injuries include:
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Hand and foot injuries
The severity of car accident injuries can vary depending on the type of accident, the speed of the vehicles involved, and whether the occupants were wearing seatbelts and other safety restraints.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not think you are injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
Who is liable for my car accident injuries in South Carolina?
The person who caused your car accident injuries is liable for your damages. This is usually the other driver, but it can also be a third party, such as a government agency or a manufacturer of defective car parts.
To determine liability, the court will look at the facts of the case and decide whether the other driver was negligent. Negligence is defined as the failure to exercise the same degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar situation.
If the court finds that the other driver was negligent, they will be held liable for your damages. This means that they will be responsible for paying for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for your car accident injuries. For example, if the accident was caused by a defective car part, the manufacturer of the part may be held liable. Or, if the accident was caused by a poorly maintained road, the government agency responsible for maintaining the road may be held liable.
If you are unsure who is liable for your car accident injuries, it is important to consult with a South Carolina attorney. An attorney can investigate the facts of your case and help you determine who is responsible for your damages.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to remember that you have legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Who pays my medical bills after a car accident?
South Carolina is a fault-based state for car accidents, which means that the at-fault driver's insurance company is responsible for paying your medical bills, up to the limits of their policy. If you have health insurance, your health insurance company may pay for your medical bills initially, but they will likely seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may have to pay for your medical bills yourself. However, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover your damages.
You may also want to consider purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. UM/UIM coverage can help to pay for your medical bills if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
What is the value of my South Carolina accident claim?
Each South Carolina car accident attorney at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC is ready to pursue the compensation you deserve after your accident, which may include the following expenses:
- Medical bills. These include the cost of emergency room care, surgeries, and doctor visits, plus any additional costs for care.
- Cost of future medical care. Many clients will need extensive medical treatment after their case is settled or tried. The future cost to treat these injuries must be calculated so there is money in reserve to pay for more doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical equipment costs, and medication.
- Lost wages and future lost wages. Injured victims have the right to claim lost income and any future income they will be unable to earn because they are injured.
- Household expenses. This cost can include the money to hire people to perform the tasks the victim would normally do.
Why our South Carolina clients come first at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC
Car accidents happen fast, but the effects can last a lifetime. You may be traveling along I-77 or I-26 when a drunk driver strikes you. A distracted driver may cause a rear-end crash on Harden Street in Columbia or Route 16 in Forest Acres. A negligent driver may cause a crash that harms you, your child, or another loved one. Even if your injury does not seem serious at first, your injury can quickly worsen. That is why you must seek immediate medical attention after an accident.
An experienced attorney at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, answers your questions, investigates why the accident happened, and fights for all damages South Carolina law allows. Our attorneys review police reports, speak to witnesses, conduct independent investigations, and sometimes work with traffic reconstruction experts to help prove who is responsible for the accident. We also navigate through complicated insurance issues. Different types of coverage need to be reviewed such as liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured auto accident coverage.
Do you have a car accident attorney near me?
McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC is located at 1539 Health Care Drive in Rock Hill, SC. If you are too ill or injured to visit us, we can see you in the hospital or meet via telephone or video conference.
We also maintain offices in or near Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville, and serve clients throughout the State of South Carolina in all 46 counties, including Sumter, Anderson, Orangeburg, Hilton Head, Aiken, and Spartanburg.
Cut through the confusion. Contact our South Carolina car accident attorneys today
You have so many things to worry about after your accident. Whether you hired the right attorney should not be one of them. That is why it is critical you contact us and discuss the details of your case with a knowledgeable, experienced car accident attorney who is looking out for your best interests. Your auto accident case matters to us. Let us help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, today. Call our offices at 803-327-7800 to schedule a free case evaluation by a South Carolina car accident attorney, or fill out our contact form from any device. We proudly serve people throughout South Carolina.
Related information from our South Carolina car accident lawyers:
Other South Carolina car accident FAQs
Should I speak with insurance companies after a car accident?
Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company without your own South Carolina car accident attorney at your side. The other driver’s insurance company is actively working against you to minimize your claim and place the fault upon you—insurance companies will try to trick you into admitting guilt or other admissions. There may be a need to put your own insurance company on notice for an accident, but you should first contact an experienced car accident attorney to ensure your interests are protected. At the end of the day, even your own insurance company might put its interests ahead of yours.
What if the other driver does not have auto insurance?
If the other driver does not have auto insurance after causing an accident, he or she will be personally liable for any injuries you suffered as a result. The driver will be personally responsible for any settlement or verdict. It may be possible to attempt to obtain a settlement or recovery from your own personal insurance company for uninsured motorist’s coverage. Regardless, the person at fault is responsible for the payment of compensation to the injured individual. An attorney of your choosing can help you secure the money due to you as a result of the accident.
How are attorney fees paid for a car accident lawsuit?
We receive our fees on a contingency basis for a majority of our cases. This means that when our firm agrees to pursue your case, we will not receive payment unless we recover for you, and we receive a certain percentage of the settlement or verdict. If your lawsuit is not successful, you will not owe us any attorney fees.