A Myrtle Beach car accident can drastically change your life, leaving you with severe injuries, significant medical bills, lost income, and more. After a car wreck in Myrtle Beach that was someone else’s fault, our skilled personal injury lawyers can seek the compensation you need for your injuries and various losses related to the accident.
Contact Jebaily Law Firm’s experienced car accident lawyers in Myrtle Beach for a free case review. We would like to discuss how the accident occurred, identify the likely at-fault parties, explore the evidence that may be used to establish their liability, and outline your options for seeking maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Myrtle Beach
Immediately after a car accident, you must take the following steps to strengthen your case:
- Seek immediate medical treatment, even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries take time to begin showing symptoms, but a medical professional may be able to identify them early and get your treatment started.
- Report the accident to the police and request a copy of their official incident report. You may need a copy of this report when filing your auto insurance claim.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident. Even if you do not believe you are at fault, your insurance policy may have a clause about reporting accidents and may not cover liability assigned to you if you do not report it.
- Contact a car accident attorney at Jebaily Law Firm and let us handle your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
How a Car Wreck Attorney Can Help with Your Case in Myrtle Beach, SC
Our car crash attorneys in Myrtle Beach can help with your case in various ways. At the start of your case, we can investigate the accident to identify the at-fault parties and gather evidence we can use as we seek to hold them financially liable for your injuries.
Then, our lawyers can calculate the value of your case by adding up your medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses, and estimating the impact your injuries will have on your life going forward. We can use these evaluations when negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company to seek a settlement that covers all your losses. Our lawyers will also deal with all communication with the insurance company, so you do not have to.
Finally, if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, our lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to court to seek the maximum compensation.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover for a Car Accident Claim in Myrtle Beach?
The compensation you could recover with the help of our car accident lawyers in your area covers several types of losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses for your injuries arising from the accident
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity caused by your injuries
- Permanent disability accommodations, including making your home and vehicle accessible
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, caused by the accident or your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to how your injuries impact your ability to engage in activities
Generally, the more severe your injuries are, the more your car accident claim will be worth. Let our attorneys review the specifics of your situation to provide you with a better idea of the types of compensation you could recover in a successful car accident personal injury claim.
Who Is at Fault for a Car Accident in Myrtle Beach?
Determining fault in a car accident can be challenging, depending on the number of parties involved and the circumstances surrounding the accident. For example, it can be fairly straightforward to determine fault for a rear-end accident involving only two cars. However, a multi-vehicle pile-up could include identifying the degrees to which several parties were at fault.
Through our investigation into the accident, our lawyers can identify the at-fault parties, which could include:
- Other motorists
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Vehicle maintenance providers
- Government entities
- Other parties
Who Covers My Medical Treatment Costs After a Myrtle Beach Car Wreck?
Under South Carolina law, the at-fault driver’s liability coverage pays for the injured party’s medical treatments. Drivers in South Carolina must have the following minimum amounts of liability coverage as part of their auto insurance policies:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or flees the scene and cannot be identified, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim with your insurance provider to seek compensation for your losses. Working with a Myrtle Beach uninsured motorist accident attorney can help you pursue the full compensation available under your policy. If the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient to pay for all your losses, you could seek additional compensation through your auto insurance policy’s underinsured motorist coverage (UIM).
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Myrtle Beach
Our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyers handle a wide variety of motor vehicle accident cases, including those involving:
- Head-on collisions – These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that leave victims with lifelong impairment.
- Rear-end collisions – Neck and Back injuries, such as whiplash, are among the most common injuries seen in rear-end collisions.
- Side-impact collisions – T-bone accidents, left-turn accidents, and sideswipes are all kinds of side-impact collisions that can cause injuries.
- Rollover accidents – Any time a vehicle rolls over, it increases the likelihood that victims will sustain severe injuries, such as crushed limbs or traumatic brain injuries.
- Single-vehicle accidents – Mechanical failures, including brake, steering column, or tire failures, may cause accidents involving only one vehicle.
- Multi-vehicle accidents – Collisions involving three or more vehicles become more complex and require the assistance of highly qualified car accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Myrtle Beach
Car accidents have many causes in Myrtle Beach. Identifying the cause of the accident that harmed you will be one of the main goals of our investigation, as it will help us determine which parties may be liable in a personal injury case.
Some of the most common causes of Myrtle Beach car accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective vehicle components
- Adverse weather conditions
- Poor road conditions
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
Ready to Fight for You – Contact Our Myrtle Beach Car Accident Team Today
Were you injured in a South Carolina car accident? Contact us online or call Jebaily Law Firm for a free consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced Myrtle Beach car accident injury attorney. We will review the accident details and help you explore your options for seeking the fair compensation you need for your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Car Accidents
What are Common Types of Car Accidents?
Common types of accidents include: rear-end accidents, side impact, head-on collisions and rollover accidents. Many of South Carolina crashes are caused by another motorist’s negligence. Drivers who choose to text behind the wheel, drive drunk or speed on roads along the Grand Strand endanger the lives of drivers, passengers, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians alike. While some accidents are unavoidable, most are preventable simply by driving responsibly. For whatever reason, that doesn’t always happen, and the outcomes can be heartbreaking.
What are Common Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?
A few examples of compensable injuries in a car accident case include brain/head injuries, spinal cord injuries/paralysis, neck trauma/whiplash, amputations, bone fractures, lacerations, internal organ damage, chest damage, ligament and muscle strains, sprains and tears, emotional distress, and PTSD.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are frightening events. Remaining calm and level headed after a crash can help you prepare for what’s ahead. Your actions in the immediate aftermath of a wreck can affect the outcome of your personal injury claim.
Always check for injuries first. Next, call 911 to send paramedics and law enforcement to the accident scene. You should also meet with the other driver(s) and exchange information such as your name, phone number, driver’s license, and auto insurance details.
If your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, document the scene through photographs and videos from as many angles as possible. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. These steps can begin forming the foundation of a future car accident claim. Finally, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to learn your legal options.
Should I Admit Fault at the Scene of the Accident?
When meeting with the other driver at the scene of an accident, keep your conversation short and civil. Never admit fault or apologize for the accident. Even a simple “I’m sorry,” no matter how well-meaning, can be used against you as an admission of fault, jeopardizing your claim and ability to recover maximum compensation. Leave the job of establishing liability to your car accident attorney.
How Can I Get Compensation if the Driver Was Underinsured or Uninsured?
South Carolina law requires motorists to carry liability and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you suffer injuries in a collision caused by an uninsured driver or get hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you can turn to your uninsured motorist coverage for help covering your expenses.
By contrast, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional. This coverage helps pay for your expenses when an at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage to pay for your medical expenses and other losses. South Carolina insurers must offer you underinsured motorist coverage, but you are not required to purchase it.
A personal injury lawsuit may be another viable option for recovering compensation from an uninsured or underinsured motorist. After investigating your case, an uninsured car accident lawyer can identify all potential sources of compensation for you.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?
There are several ways to file a car crash claim. The insurance company may allow you to file a claim over the phone or through an online portal or app. While filing this initial claim can be relatively straightforward, it’s best to consult a car accident lawyer before getting started. An attorney can ensure you have the information you need to present a well-documented case for maximum compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident injury compensation varies depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Often, a person can seek money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
You should always speak with a car accident claim lawyer about your options for recovering money after a crash. An attorney can examine the case from all angles and gather strong evidence to improve your chances of recovering meaningful compensation.
Hurt By a Negligent Driver?
Jebaily Law Firm is a respected South Carolina law firm with offices in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our proven car accident lawyers.
