Summerville, SC Car Accident Lawyer

Nobody really expects a car accident to happen to them. However, car crashes happen every day in South Carolina, and people are often badly hurt in these accidents. The burden of recovering from serious injuries would be more than enough of a challenge, but it is also often the case that treating injuries sustained in a car accident is expensive, which can create a significant burden for victims who are already dealing with the aftermath of a car crash.

If you were hurt in a car collision, you have options. You can take those responsible for your accident to court and fight for financial compensation. To do that, though, you are going to need determined and effective legal counsel.

Rice, Murtha & Psoras has car accident attorneys who can help you when you call (803) 219-4906.

What Should I Do After A Car Accident in Summerville, SC

It can be hard to know what to do after a car crash. If you are badly hurt, there may be nothing to do at all except get evacuated by medical professionals to receive treatment. However, for accidents that are less serious, there are actually a lot of things you can do that can be beneficial to our car accident attorneys when we work on your claim. Of course, we understand that every accident is different, so do not worry if you were able to accomplish these things after your particular car accident – we can effectively represent you either way.

Get Medical Attention

The most important thing to do after a car crash is to ensure you get the medical attention you need. First, call 911 or make sure someone else does so. Once first responders arrive, let them examine you and follow all of their instructions. If they determine that you need to go to a hospital, do that and do not worry about doing anything else.

In the days following your accident, it may also be a good idea to get follow-up medical care, as some injuries may take some time to reveal themselves because of adrenaline brought on by the crash or other factors.

Whatever the case may be, do not refuse medical care, as opposing counsel may try and use that to try and hurt your case, so be sure that you get some medical attention at some point soon after your car accident.

Gather Evidence

If you are able to stick around after the accident happens, you should try to get as much information as you can. Details about the accident that you record right after the fact can be incredibly helpful to your claim. Take photos and videos of the accident and the surrounding area, and be sure to talk to anyone who saw the accident and record their statement. The photos and videos can be used as evidence in your claim, and the people whose statements you record may be able to testify on your behalf.

In addition to the information, you obtain yourself, you should also seek out a police report in the days following your accident. You will no doubt talk to a police officer who responds to the crash, and they will take your statement and record other observations about the accident. Getting a police report after a crash can be an invaluable source of information that can be used to help your case.

How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Lawsuit in Summerville, SC?

While you should, of course, take time to take stock of your situation and plan how you are going to handle the aftermath of a car crash, you cannot wait forever to file your claim. Each state has laws called statutes of limitations that put time limits on how long plaintiffs have to file claims, and South Carolina is no different. Under S.C. Code Ann, § 15-3-530, plaintiffs have three years from when they get hurt to file personal injury lawsuits, which includes car accident cases.

Who Can I Sue in Car Accident Cases in Summerville, SC?

It is also important to file your claim against the right parties. The law lets you sue parties who were negligent and caused your injuries. Some parties you may sue in your car accident lawsuit include:

Drivers

It is almost always correct to sue the driver who hit you in your lawsuit. There are a lot of ways that driver negligence can lead to accidents, but driver negligence can be split into two categories. First, a driver can be negligent by violating a traffic law – such as ignoring a speed limit or driving drunk. Second, a driver can be negligent by acting in a way no reasonable driver would under the circumstances. The latter determination is up to the jury, so your lawyers will work hard to show them the carelessness of the defendant driver’s actions in your claim.

Car Designers and Manufacturers

Some car accidents happen because of a problem with the car, not necessarily because a driver did something wrong. When that is the case, you can sue car designers and manufacturers for defective vehicles. Who you sue largely is determined by where, in the process, the defect popped up. For example, a defect inherent in a car’s design would lead to a lawsuit against the car’s designer, whereas a problem stemming from a bad repair job may lead you to sue a mechanic shop that worked on the vehicle.

Government Entities

Sometimes, you will be able to sue a state or local government entity in your claim. For example, if a government entity is responsible for maintaining roads and your accident was caused by a pothole, you can sue the entity responsible for maintaining that road.

Contact our Car Accident Attorneys from Summerville SC Now

Call (803) 219-4906 and get a free case review from Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s car accident attorneys.