A serious car crash can devastate a family. You may be left drowning in medical bills, unable to work, unable to fix your car, and struggling just to get through the pain of each day. But you are not alone in this.
Resolving an automobile accident claim may seem simple, but in reality, these situations are often far more complex than you might expect. At Stewart Law Offices, our experienced car accident lawyers have helped countless victims throughout South Carolina recover full and fair compensation after serious crashes.**
If our law firm takes on your case, you can expect to receive:
Personal attention from an attorney who can visit you in your home or the hospital when possible
Dedicated, aggressive legal representation from a team with more than 30 years of experience
A commitment to pursuing maximum recovery and protecting your financial future
24/7 responsiveness, with calls and messages returned as promptly as possible
No charge for legal fees unless we recover money for you
Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case
with a compassionate car accident attorney who can answer your questions and explain your legal rights to compensation. Our dedicated lawyers can travel to meet with you anywhere in Rock Hill, Columbia, Spartanburg, and Beaufort**, S.C., as well as Charlotte, N.C., and the surrounding areas.
At Stewart Law Offices, our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys work tirelessly to handle every aspect of our clients’ personal injury claims.
Our lawyer does all the legwork and manage all communication on behalf of our clients, so they never feel backed into a corner or overwhelmed by the fight against a deep-pocketed insurance company.
When you choose our respected injury law firm to represent you after a crash, you can expect that our knowledgeable attorneys will:
We believe it is important that you understand the process and what to expect in your car accident claim. We want to understand your needs and your goals so we can develop a thoughtful and effective legal strategy for you.
We need to know exactly what happened to cause your crash so we can determine and prove fault. Our lawyers will visit the crash scene and collect all evidence, including photos, possible surveillance video, witness statements, etc. We may also hire an accident reconstruction expert to analyze and explain what happened in your collision.
At first glance, you may be looking at current hospital bills and car repair estimates. But a deeper calculation by our attorneys will take into account future medical expenses related to your injuries, missed time from work, the diminished value of your vehicle, the pain and suffering you have experienced, as well as other losses. We do not want you to be left with any financial burdens related to the auto accident.
We may enlist the help of medical professionals, life care planners, economists, and other professionals to evaluate your injuries and explain how they will affect you in the future. These opinions can help us build a comprehensive case for maximum compensation.
A majority of cases are resolved with a settlement. However, the insurance company will not offer full compensation from the start. Our attorneys know how insurance companies operate, and we will always fight for the true compensation you deserve.
We believe that the best outcomes are the result of thorough trial preparation. Even if we believe a case will ultimately settle, we prepare for trial. This shows the insurance companies that we are not going to back down from a fight. And it means we are ready to take your case to court if a just settlement cannot be reached.
“I'd highly recommend Stewart Law Offices for their outstanding hard work and dedication to each and every person they come in contact with. I really appreciate how they went above and beyond for my case!! If I could rate them on a scale it'd be 10 out of 10!”
- Elexis Davis
One of the most crucial aspects of your car accident claim is documenting the damages you have suffered ─ and will continue to suffer in the future. Although every case we handle is unique, some of the common types of damages we will want to document include:
We will collect proof of expenses such as emergency medical care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up visits, rehabilitation and therapy, medications, assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs, etc. We will also determine the medical expenses you may likely face in the future as a result of your injury.
Property damage.
The property damage resulting from a serious wreck can cause a real burden for you and your family. In addition to compensation for the cost of repairing your vehicle, you may be entitled to payment for loss of use and the diminished value of your motor vehicle if your car is not a total loss. Loss of use can be money given to you for the time you do not have a vehicle or it can come in the form of a rental car. Diminished value is the difference between what your car was worth before the accident and what it is worth after repairs. Insurance adjusters usually do not simply offer this compensation, you must demand it.
Lost wages.
If you had to take time off work so you could recover from your injuries, you can demand payment for that lost income. In addition, if your injuries will prevent you from returning to the job you had before, or prevent you from working ever again, our attorneys will fight for compensation for your diminished earning capacity.
Pain and suffering.
It can seem hard to put a price on the physical, emotional and psychological pain and suffering you have experienced, but our attorneys will help document these damages in a way that clearly shows how your life has been affected.
Our South Carolina car accident lawyer wanted to you to know that it is important to note that South Carolina has different rules when it comes to collecting compensation after a car accident:
South Carolina follows what’s called a “modified comparative negligence” rule, meaning that if a person is less than 50 percent at fault for the crash, he or she may pursue compensation. However, the award may be reduced by the percentage at which the plaintiff is found at fault. So for example, if a victim suffers damages of $10,000 but is found to be 10 percent at fault for the accident, the victim’s compensation would be reduced by 10 percent, or $1,000.
Our diligent car accident attorneys work with collision victims in South Carolina. We have a thorough understanding of the rules that govern fault in these states and how they may affect your case for compensation. Contact us now to learn more.
What You Need to Know About Dealing with Car Insurance Agents After a Crash
Insurance adjusters of the at-fault vehicle are not on your side. They do not represent you – they represent the person who caused your injuries and their own company.
The insurance adjuster may be pleasant and have you believe that he or she will handle your damage claim fairly, but the insurance company’s only goal is to minimize losses.
Never give a recorded or written statement to the insurance company without the advice of your attorney.
Do not sign any documents or accept payment from an insurance company without talking to your attorney.
If an insurance adjuster calls you to discuss what happened after a crash, the best thing you can say is: “Please talk to my attorney.”
Settlement or Trial After a Car Crash
In a car accident or motor vehicle accident case, you may decide to settle or take the case to trial. This is your decision, and insurance adjusters and lawyers cannot force you to settle your case.
You should only settle if a settlement provides you with fair compensation for your injuries. In many cases, a lawsuit may be necessary in order to get fair compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost time from work, and pain during recovery. However, a settlement may be reached even after a lawsuit has been filed.
Lawsuits can be risky, expensive, and they may postpone your recovery by more than a year. But they can bring new evidence to light that increases the value of your claim. You can discuss the car accident report with your lawyer to decide what strategy is best for your case.
As an example of the difference between what settlement damages might be compared to a trial result, Owner and lawyer Brent P. Stewart was able to procure a $77,000 jury verdict in a case where there was originally only $8,000 in medical bills.*
Ask Your South Carolina Automobile Accident Lawyer
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in S.C.?
Like all states, South Carolina set statutes of limitations, or time limits, for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim after an auto collision.
South Carolina
Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.
Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years from the date of death.
Although the statutes of limitations do allow victims time to pursue a claim after a serious motor vehicle accident, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a crash. Building a strong claim for compensation takes time, and evidence can fade if it is not collected quickly. The sooner you contact an experienced South Carolina car accident lawyer, the better.
Common Causes of South Carolina Automobile Accidents
Our trusted auto accident attorneys have successfully handled numerous cases over the years.* Unfortunately, we have seen all types of reckless and careless driving on the roads in South Carolina. Some of the common causes of devastating auto accidents include:
No matter what types of accident led to your injuries, our legal team is here to help. We have the knowledge and the resources to investigate your claim and prove who should be held liable.
Get Help from Our ExperiencedSouth Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
We will review your case for free, and you do not pay any attorney fees unless and until we secure money for you.
At Stewart Law Offices, our car accident lawyers will help you demand the maximum compensation you deserve after a life-changing crash. Contact us now by calling us directly or filling out our online contact form. Our team is available to talk 24/7, including at night, on weekends, and holidays.
In a car accident or motor vehicle accident case, you may decide to settle or take the case to trial. This is your decision, and insurance adjusters and lawyers cannot force you to settle your case.
