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A car accident can mean devastating injuries that require extensive recovery and put your life on hold for months. You’re hurt, you can’t work, and your debts are mounting, all because of the negligence of another motorist.
It’s bad enough that you need to endure physical injuries when an accident wasn’t your fault. You shouldn’t have to suffer financially as well. Our Pawleys Island car accident lawyers can help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages.
Our team at Hopkins Law Firm has recovered over $100 million in awards and settlements for injured accident victims. Our Pawleys Island personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us what happened.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Claim?
You might wonder if you need an attorney when you’re in a car accident, especially if the insurance company has already offered a settlement to cover your expenses. The reality is that insurance companies often try to quickly settle your case for much less than what it is worth.
If you accept their offer, you waive your rights to future compensation, even if you’re still hurt. They close your case for a fraction of what they really owe you, and you still need help. This is just one of the tactics insurance companies may use to avoid full responsibility for your injuries.
It is rarely a good idea to accept an offer from an insurance company without speaking with a lawyer. Our Pawleys Island car accident attorneys can tell you if any settlement offers are fair and help you avoid other common mistakes that can harm your claim.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Taking on an insurance company when you are injured in a car accident is a challenge. It helps to have an experienced attorney in your corner who understands the law and can walk you through every step of your journey.
While every case is different, some of the things we can do include:
Investigate Your Accident
We may access police reports, security camera footage, witness statements, or other pieces of evidence that help us get a clear picture of the accident. The goal of our investigation is to uncover exactly what happened and who is responsible.
While the other driver is often the liable party in a car accident, we may discover other responsible parties, such as:
- A third driver or pedestrian who contributed to the crash
- A local government whose poor signage or road markings caused the crash
- A construction company that created unsafe lane changes
- A mechanic who allowed an unsafe vehicle on the road
Assess Your Damages
The compensation you may receive will depend on the extent of your injuries and your economic damages. When calculating your maximum compensation, your car accident lawyer in Pawleys Island will consider factors such as:
- Your medical costs, including emergency care, doctor and specialist appointments, medications, physical therapy, surgeries, and procedures
- Future medical needs such as adaptive equipment, long-term rehabilitation, and procedures.
- Wages and other benefits lost because you are unable to work
- Property damage, such as the expenses involved in repairing your car
- Out-of-pocket expenses for things like daycare, rideshare services, or housekeeping
In some cases, our attorneys may be able to recover non-economic damages for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. This isn’t always possible, and your attorney can advise you if it may apply to your case.
Manage Your Claim
We can file your claim, handle all necessary paperwork, and make sure you meet important deadlines. Most importantly, we’ll handle communication with the insurance company while you worry about healing.
Some insurance companies use tactics such as calling to ask how you’re doing, as though they are just checking in out of concern for your health. What they are really doing is hoping to catch you saying something that could allow them to claim you aren’t as injured as you say.
When they call, refer them to us. We know their playbook, and we aren’t going to let them manipulate our clients.
Negotiate Your Settlement
We will negotiate on your behalf for a settlement that covers your expenses. Resolving your claim through negotiations is usually best for everyone involved. Ideally, we come away from the table with the settlement you need, and you can begin to put the accident behind you.
Represent You in Court
Sometimes it takes insurance companies a little while to do the right thing. If they refuse to settle your case after reasonable negotiations, we can take the next step. We’ll file a civil lawsuit and represent you in court.
How Much Does a Pawleys Island Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our personal injury lawyers work based on a contingency fee agreement. This is a way of billing our clients that requires no upfront payments from you and no retainer fees. We’ll handle your case, investigate the accident, and work to get you fair compensation.
When your case is resolved, we take our fees from your final award or settlement. If we don’t recover your compensation, you owe us nothing. Doing business this way means our services are available to just about anyone, no matter their financial situation.
Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form today!
Get Help From a Pawleys Island Car Accident Attorney
Accidents happen, but when the actions of another person cause them, you deserve compensation for your hardships. Their insurance company is supposed to step in and cover your damages, but instead, they may deny or delay your claim.
It’s frustrating when you’re hurt, unable to work, and struggling to care for your household and family, but there is hope. Our Pawleys Island car accident attorneys can investigate your accident, hold responsible parties accountable, and help you get the money you need.
At Hopkins Law Firm, our team has over two decades of combined experience standing up for injured accident victims in South Carolina. Don’t delay; call Clay. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us about your accident.
