Greenville Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Lawyer Near Me

Our office is conveniently located in the heart of Greenville, making it easily accessible for anyone in the area. Our address is 3 Caledon Ct # A, Greenville, SC – 29615. If you are headed southeast on Pelham Rd, turn left onto Caledon Ct, and HawkLaw will be on your right-hand side.

Our office is well-connected with public transportation options. Several bus lines service the area, making it easy to reach us from various parts of the city. We are close to several notable landmarks, including the Greenville Zoo, Falls Park on the Reedy, and the Greenville County Museum of Art.

South Carolina Car Accident Laws

In South Carolina, the negligence aspect is critical in determining liability in car accident cases. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation will be reduced if you’re found partly at fault for the accident. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault for your Greenville accident, you’ll only receive 80 percent of your compensation. However, if you’re found more than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you’ll be unable to receive any compensation.

Road Safety Rules in Greenville, South Carolina

Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws applies to vehicles operating on state roads and includes a number of provisions, such as:

• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3230 (failing to use due care): Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with another driver or pedestrian. They should be especially careful around children and people who seem confused, disabled, or drunk.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1930 (following too closely): Drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them. This safe distance depends on how fast they’re going, how much traffic there is, and the road/weather conditions.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2920 (driving in reckless disregard for the safety of others): Driving with a blatant disregard for others’ safety includes both intentional and reckless actions.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1810 (crossing the center line into oncoming traffic): Generally, one should drive on the right side of the road. However, there are exceptions, such as: moving left to pass a slower vehicle or avoid an obstacle, or driving in designated lanes on divided highways with multiple lanes.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1900 (failure to maintain lane): Stay in your lane as much as possible and only change lanes when it’s safe to do so.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-950 (failure to obey traffic signal): Traffic signs and signals are presumed to be legally placed, which means drivers must obey them (barring limited exceptions such as for emergency vehicles).
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2320 (failure to yield when turning left): When turning left at an intersection, into an alley, or onto a private road/driveway, you must yield to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction that’s already in or very close to the intersection
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3130 (failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk): Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, by slowing down or stopping to let them cross safely.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 (driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs): It is unlawful for anyone to drive under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs) that impairs one’s ability to drive safely.
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1220 and 1230 (hit and run): After an accident, a driver must stop their vehicle as close to the accident scene as possible, and help the injured person by calling an ambulance or transporting them to a nearby hospital.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A car accident lawyer can help injury victims navigate the complexities of car wreck claims and achieve the fullest possible compensation. In essence, a car wreck lawyer can help with the following:

• Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review police reports
• Evaluate the full extent of your injuries and property damage to determine the appropriate compensation
• Handle communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters to seek a fair settlement
• Prepare and file all necessary paperwork, including claims and court documents
• Represent your interests in court proceedings (if an out-of-court settlement cannot be reached)
• Offer guidance on your legal rights and options throughout the process
• Consider long-term impacts, such as ongoing medical treatment and lost wages, to seek comprehensive compensation
• Manage all communications with the opposing party and their legal representatives to protect your interests

Who’s at Fault In An Accident?

After your accident, one of your first steps will be finding fault and contacting your insurance provider about the crash. South Carolina is a fault state, which means that the person at fault for the accident is also financially responsible. This is why you’ll have to prove who caused the accident before you receive your settlement or compensation.

When you report your accident to the insurance company, you’ll need to have the other driver’s insurance information. You may file a claim with your insurance company, who will then seek compensation from the other driver’s insurer. They’ll make a settlement offer based on the damages you’ve suffered.

In some cases, an insurer may not offer enough compensation, or they may refuse to settle with you at all. If you believe you need to take your claim to court, you should be prepared to file a claim against the driver for compensation. A Greenville car wreck attorney can help discuss your options and come up with a strategy that meets your goals.

Greenville Car Accident | Car Crash Recovery

Once you decide to file a car accident lawsuit, you might wonder what compensation you should seek. Determining the value of your claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an accident. With proper legal support, you can calculate your total compensation and fight to secure it from the negligent party.

As such, you’ll need support in identifying your current and future losses. Don’t forget that not all your suffering is financial. The emotional and mental toll you have suffered might not have a price tag on it, but it’s important to be compensated for these damages as well. A Greenville auto accident lawyer can help you recover economic and non-economic damages after a car wreck.

Economic damages: Your economic damages are quantifiable monetary losses that include:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages: These are the intangible losses you suffer after a car accident, and are more challenging to quantify:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium/companionship
• Disability/permanent impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring a Greenville auto accident lawyer in the wake of a car crash comes with a host of benefits you may not want to miss. While some people may be hesitant to get a personal injury lawyer involved, it is often an effective way to get the fair compensation you or a loved one deserve to cover medical expenses, emotional distress, potential disfigurement, and more.

Lawyers help with a variety of steps when filing a car accident claim, including:

• Determining fault
• Building a strong case
• Fighting for a fair settlement

Building Your Case

Plenty of research goes into a car accident case, and a lawyer will gather all the necessary evidence. They can talk to witnesses, gather evidence from the scene, get the police report, obtain records of your medical treatment, and more. Plus, they can make all the filings for you.

Fighting for a Fair Settlement

When fighting for a settlement, it is not the at-fault driver whom you need to worry about. You will be up against the driver’s insurance coverage and an insurance company whose business model depends on denying you as much compensation as possible. A car accident lawyer will be able to stand up to insurance adjusters and protect your insurance claim against the insurer’s tactics.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work?

Filing a car accident lawsuit can be complex and daunting, but understanding the steps involved can help you navigate it more confidently. The journey typically begins with gathering evidence and documenting your injuries and damages. Next, you must file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the next step is to file a formal lawsuit. This involves various stages, including discovery, negotiations, and potentially a trial.

Determining fault is key in any personal injury case, and motor vehicle accidents are no exception. To determine fault in South Carolina, your car accident lawyer will demonstrate that the other party acted negligently and that their negligence directly led to the accident that caused your injuries. A lawyer can help you put together an argument to make your case. This can also improve your chances of not being partially blamed for the accident. South Carolina uses a comparative negligence standard, so your maximum compensation is based on the percentage of fault you have for the accident.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Greenville, South Carolina

Car accidents are often caused by several factors working together at once, but it is important to know the greatest threats when behind the wheel.

• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving happens when a driver is not fully focused on the road. Their attention may instead be directed toward their phone or inputting an address in the car’s GPS system. Even talking to other passengers can be a form of distracted driving.
• Driving Under the Influence: DUI impairs a motorist’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Without the ability to drive safely, accidents are more a matter of “when” than “if”.
• Speeding: Going past the speed limit will not only put people in more danger of accidents, but those accidents tend to have serious injuries compared to the typical fender bender.
• Drowsy Driving: Driving tired is easily on par with the dangers of drunk driving. The National Safety Councilsuggests that drivers who are tired and fatigued are three times more likely to be involved in an auto accident than drivers who are properly awake and focused.
• Aggressive Driving: This encompasses a variety of poor behaviors, including driving erratically, speeding, and failing to obey the rules of the road.

Common Car Accident Injuries in Greenville, South Carolina

If you’ve suffered any of the following injuries or other traumatic wounds, you deserve compensation to help you recover:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Head trauma can lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments
• Whiplash: Neck injuries caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement can result in pain and stiffness
• Broken bones: Fractures ranging from minor cracks to severe breaks may require extensive medical treatment
• Spinal injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life
• Internal bleeding: Life-threatening injuries where blood vessels are damaged may require immediate medical attention
• Burns: Injuries caused by heat, chemicals, or electricity, can result in severe pain, scarring, and long-term complications

Auto accidents can be physically devastating. Because vehicles have so much momentum, even at what we think of as low speeds, the damages can be catastrophic. A seatbelt or airbag may save your life, but it may not stop all the trauma your body may experience during a crash. This is why one of your first considerations after a car accident should be your injuries. Your car might be totaled, but that can be replaced. Your health and safety, however, aren’t as easily fixed, so you’ll need medical care as soon as possible.

Why Should I Hire a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer at HawkLaw?

At HawkLaw, we have proudly served South Carolina for over 20 years. Our experience spans multiple personal injury case types, with a particular focus on motor vehicle accidents. Our attorney-client relationship strategy prioritizes you, the client, by offering personalized legal advice, clear communication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in every case.

As a digital-first law firm, we make it easy for you to initiate your case online to save you time and provide access to our legal services. Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay anything unless we win*. This lets you focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities.

Learn How a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help | Contact HawkLaw Today

When someone else causes a car accident, chances are high that they will try to avoid paying for your suffering. They might be the ones responsible, but they’ll do what they can to put the blame on you and avoid paying. This tactic may work if you’re unprepared to fight back.

Fighting back isn’t easy when you’re injured and overwhelmed with the expenses and losses you’ve suffered. So, if you’re struggling with your claim, contact a Greenville car accident lawyer from HawkLaw. Our attorneys understand the strain an accident puts on you, and we can help lift some of that burden.

We’ll help you fight back with the proper defense.

Unsure where to get started? Reach out for a free consultation* today. A Greenville car accident lawyer is ready to speak to you before you sign anything so that you know what to expect and how we can help.