The Law Office of Sean M. Wilson Helps South Carolina Car Accident Victims Protect Their Right to Compensation
Every day on South Carolina roads, from busy Columbia intersections to I-26 and I-77, car accidents leave victims facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future. The attorneys at the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson work with car accident victims throughout South Carolina, helping them understand their legal rights and pursue the compensation they need to move forward.
Inspired by the civil rights movement's legacy of fighting for justice, our legal team believes everyone deserves strong representation when facing powerful insurance companies. Whether you were injured in a rear-end crash, T-bone collision, or multi-vehicle accident, we have the experience and resources to build a strong case on your behalf.
Types of Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims
Understanding the different categories of car accident compensation helps you recognize the full value of your personal injury claim and ensure you're seeking appropriate compensation for all your losses.
Medical Expenses
Your claim should cover all accident-related medical care, including emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and medical equipment. This category of economic damages also includes anticipated future medical expenses if your injuries require ongoing care.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
A car accident claim can cover wages lost while you were unable to work due to your injuries, including sick days and vacation time used. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you may also receive compensation for reduced future earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
This compensation, referred to as non-economic damages, acknowledges the physical discomfort and emotional trauma caused by your injuries. The amount typically relates to the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life. For example, if your injuries are keeping you from playing with your children or going fishing with your friends on the weekend, these losses should be reflected in your pain and suffering compensation.
Property Damage
Your claim can include compensation for repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any personal property damaged in the crash. This might include electronics, jewelry, or sporting equipment, or other items that were in your vehicle during the collision.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
You typically have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to seek compensation through the courts.
One noteworthy exception to the statute of limitations for South Carolina car accident claims involves injured minors. When a child is injured in a car accident, the statute of limitations doesn't begin running until their 18th birthday. This means they have until their 21st birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, parents can pursue a claim on behalf of their minor child before they turn 18.
Compensation for Partially At-Fault Drivers
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover damages if you're less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation decreases by your percentage of fault.
Consider a situation where you were injured in an intersection accident. The other driver ran a red light, but you were traveling slightly over the speed limit. A jury might determine the other driver was 70% at fault for running the red light, while you were 30% at fault for speeding. If your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $70,000 to account for your share of responsibility.
This is why it's crucial to have experienced legal representation to contest unfair fault determinations. Insurance companies often try to assign accident victims a higher percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Our South Carolina car accident lawyers will gather evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert accident reconstruction analysis to protect you from unreasonable fault allegations.
What to Expect When You Work With Our Legal Team
The path to recovery after a car accident can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to handle it alone. Our attorneys understand the challenges South Carolina accident victims face and provide personalized legal guidance to protect your interests.
Initial Consultation and Case Review
Our attorneys meet with you to understand how the accident happened and how your injuries have affected your life. We explain your legal rights and outline potential strategies for your case. This consultation is free, and you're under no obligation to move forward with our firm.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Once you choose our firm to handle your South Carolina car accident case, we immediately begin collecting crucial evidence. We obtain police reports, interview witnesses, and preserve accident scene evidence. Our team acts quickly to document skid marks, secure surveillance footage, and obtain electronic vehicle data before it disappears. This early investigation often reveals important details that strengthen your claim.
Documentation of Damages
We will document every aspect of your losses to maximize your compensation. This includes gathering medical records, calculating lost wages, and recording how your injuries affect daily activities. We may also recommend that you start a pain journal and maintain detailed records of missed events and lifestyle changes.
Expert Consultation
When needed, we bring in qualified experts to strengthen your case. This might include accident reconstructionists to prove fault, medical experts to explain your injuries, life care planners to outline future needs, or economists to calculate long-term financial impact.
Insurance Company Management
Our team takes over all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from common tactics used to minimize claims. This prevents you from being pressured into accepting a low settlement offer or accidentally saying something that could harm your claim.
Settlement Package Preparation
We will prepare a detailed settlement demand that presents a clear picture of your damages and justifies our compensation request. Our experienced attorneys know how to value cases appropriately based on similar verdicts and settlements in South Carolina.
Negotiation
Our team engages in strategic negotiations with insurance adjusters. We counter their arguments with strong evidence and negotiate from a position of strength. Our reputation for taking cases to trial when necessary often motivates insurers to make fair settlement offers.
Lawsuit and Trial
If settlement negotiations don't yield a fair offer, we're fully prepared to file a lawsuit. Our trial-experienced attorneys will handle all court filings, discovery, depositions, and trial preparation will provide you with regular status updates.