The most pressing question for most car accident victims is who will pay their medical bills and other damages. In fault states like South Carolina, the negligent driver’s liability insurance covers damages. Compensation from insurance companies isn’t promised, however, and victims often need our lawyers’ help to get the settlements they deserve.
Even if the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees the scene, your MedPay or uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help with medical bills. We may be able to identify the driver after a hit-and-run incident, allowing you to seek payment from their insurance. You shouldn’t necessarily accept the first settlement offer, as it may not cover all medical bills, let alone lost wages or pain and suffering. Filing a lawsuit may compel a bigger settlement or large jury award, so keep that in mind if you need more compensation after a crash.
For a free and confidential case analysis from our South Carolina car accident lawyers, call Rice Law now at (803) 219-4906.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a South Carolina Car Accident?
Generally speaking, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays the victim’s medical bills and other damages after a car accident in South Carolina. That doesn’t mean payment is guaranteed or always fair, so lean on our attorneys for help getting all medical bills paid.
Since the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay your medical bills, we need the driver’s coverage information for your case. Some drivers are hesitant to provide this information at the scene, and may even offer the victim cash instead. You don’t yet know the extent of your injuries or property damage, even after a minor fender bender, so don’t agree to this offer.
Police officers can get and record each driver’s insurance information, so always call 911. If you had to leave the scene to go directly to the hospital, our Columbia, SC car accident lawyers can obtain and review the police report to seek payment for medical bills and other damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Who Pays Medical Bills if the Negligent Driver Flees an Accident?
Unfortunately, hit-and-runs are somewhat common, leaving victims unsure how they are going to pay medical bills. Reach out to our attorneys if the negligent driver fled the scene of your recent collision in South Carolina, and we can explain your recovery options.
Some drivers carry additional insurance that helps pay medical bills and other damages after hit-and-runs. If you have MedPay, it will do what the name implies: pay your medical bills. MedPay coverage limits typically aren’t very high, so it may not be enough alone to cover all of your hospital expenses. Furthermore, it doesn’t contribute towards other damages, only medical costs.
Having UM/UIM coverage also helps in situations like this. This applies if the at-fault driver is uninsured, flees the scene, or doesn’t have a big enough liability insurance policy to cover all your medical damages. Just as you shouldn’t panic after a hit-and-run, don’t panic if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, as you may still get the damages you need.
Even if the negligent driver flees the scene, we may identify them and seek compensation. Tell us everything you can remember about the crash, such as where it occurred and the make, model, or color of the other car, and we can begin tracking down the at-fault driver.
How Do You Get All Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident in South Carolina?
Car accident victims need all of their medical bills paid, and our attorneys can work hard for this result in South Carolina.
Track Medical Expenses
Our lawyers can seek full payment of all medical expenses by carefully tracking them. Failing to account for any major or minor expenses can add up quickly and may cause you to underestimate the value of your claim.
We need proof of your medical expenses for the at-fault driver’s insurance to cover them. Forward any invoices or bills to our lawyers, and we can keep them organized for your case in South Carolina.
Gather Proof of Fault
Since South Carolina is a fault state, we need proof of the other driver’s negligence for their insurance to pay your medical bills. We often utilize surveillance footage, accident reconstruction, photographs, police reports, property damage estimates, and eyewitness statements to support our claims.
Often, insurers attempt to assign some fault to the victim, as South Carolina operates within a “modified comparative fault” system. The victim’s negligence may not exceed that of the other party, or compensation will be barred. Sharing fault can lower damages, too, so our lawyers will work hard to establish the other driver as the sole liable party.
Reject Bad Offers
Initial offers may not cover all medical bills. You also have to consider other damages, such as lost wages and pain and suffering. Car accident settlement offers should compensate for future medical damages as well, which our lawyers can argue for on your behalf.
Don’t assume that the first offer you receive is the best one you will get. This is just the starting point, and the at-fault driver’s insurer may pay even more.
File a Lawsuit
When insurance doesn’t agree to pay what car accident victims need, those victims may file lawsuits. Litigating the case potentially opens the door to more compensation. South Carolina doesn’t limit compensation awarded in personal injury lawsuits. This often compels liable parties to send much better settlement offers, especially if victims are willing to go to trial.
The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in South Carolina is three years, according to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5). Sometimes, the statute of limitations pauses, such as if the at-fault driver leaves the state, and our attorneys may use this to your advantage to get medical bills and other damages paid, even if it has been more than three years since the collision.
Call Our South Carolina Accident Attorneys Today
Call the Greenville, SC car accident lawyers at Rice Law for help with your case at (803) 219-4906.