South Carolina Car Accident Injuries

There are more than 2.35 million car accident injuries every year in America, and of those injuries, more than 37,000 are fatal. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an accident in South Carolina, you may be wondering who is responsible for the accident, how you’ll pay for the medical bills that you’ve incurred, and whether you are eligible to file an injury claim.

The South Carolina car accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm, P.A. have been helping people just like you for Over 50 Years. With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys know how to thoroughly investigate your accident, deal with insurance companies, and seek the compensation you need to pay your medical bills, recover lost wages, deal with disfigurement or disability, and rebuild your life.

We will not let an insurance adjuster undervalue the true cost of your car accident injuries. We’re here to make sure that you get what you are owed and we will not settle for anything less.

Common Car Accident Injuries in South Carolina

Car accidents can cause harm that ranges from relatively minor bumps and bruises to catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. The circumstances surrounding each accident are different, but the most common injuries reported in car accidents include:

• Brain injuries. One of the most serious types of car accident injuries is the traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can be fatal or could have a lasting impact on the victim’s life.
• Broken bones. Bones are tough, but car accidents can break them. Accidents like head-on collisions, t-bones, and being rear ended can all cause broken bones. All the bones in the body are at risk in a car accident. Treatment may require surgery, casts, and time away from work or school.
• Neck and back injuries. Perhaps the best known car accident injury is whiplash, which involves the straining of the neck muscles. While whiplash often fades quickly, it can have lasting effects for years, including headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness, and muscle pain.
• Spinal cord injuries. Also included in the neck and back category, but often much more serious, are injuries to the spinal cord. These injuries can lead to paralysis or death.
• Burns. Car accidents can lead to fires or electrical burns that can leave individuals with lifelong scars and pain.
• Head injuries. The head and face are particularly at risk for serious cuts and other injuries that will require surgery to repair any lasting scars.
• Bumps, bruises, and cuts. These are often among the least serious injuries. They are superficial and heal relatively quickly, although they may still require medical treatment and are certainly painful.

Soft Tissue Injuries from a Car Accident

Soft tissue injuries are common injuries that are sometimes overlooked. They typically involve damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can affect any part of the body, particularly around the joints.

These injuries often do not appear until days after a car accident, but many eventually require medical attention and can cause lasting problems. A soft tissue injury that is ignored can quickly become a cause of lifelong chronic pain.

That is the first reason it is imperative you see a doctor if you notice any pain or tenderness in muscles and joints after an accident. The second reason is that ignoring the issue now can make it hard to get compensation for medical costs later. It is easier to prove a soft tissue injury is connected to a car accident when a doctor diagnoses it shortly after the accident. This may require the use of x-ray and other methods to find the injury and begin treatment.

You should look out for any of the following signs of a soft tissue injury in a crash:

• Pain in the joints or muscles
• Muscle spasm
• Stiffness
• Numbness
• Headaches
• Sleeplessness
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after your car accident, don’t just dismiss them. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Emotional Damage from a Car Accident

Another injury that is often hidden in the immediate period after a car accident is the emotional trauma that results from the experience. Emotional trauma may take time to show up, or it may develop subtly so that it is hard to detect in short order.

For all its subtlety, though, it is important to seek medical assistance for these issues for the same reasons as soft tissue injuries. Avoiding treatment can lead to more difficulties in the future, and it can cause issues when making a claim for those difficulties.

Some of the emotional damage a car accident can cause includes:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias related to transportation
• Sexual dysfunction
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Memory loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood swings and irritability

These issues and others like them often require the assistance of medical professionals to resolve or manage. If you notice any emotional difficulties following your accident, you should contact a doctor immediately.

Medical Bills for Injuries in a Car Accident

It is not uncommon for car accident victims to accrue significant medical bills after a collision. Medical expenses often include initial visits to the emergency room, medication, visits to specialists, physical therapy, and long-term treatment.

If someone else was at fault for your car accident, they could be responsible for reimbursing you for your related medical costs, and you could secure compensation that will help you pay for future treatment that you need due to your car accident injuries.

Far too many people either don’t know that they can take legal action, or they wrongly feel that they don’t have a case. These people often unknowingly shoulder the financial burden that they would not have to if they had filed an accident claim.

Do I Have a Car Accident Injury Case?

Because South Carolina operates on a doctrine of comparative negligence, you could still be owed compensation for your accident claim, even if you were partially to blame. Your attorney will need to prove that your negligence did not exceed the negligence of the other party. Your recovery could be reduced in proportion to your negligence, but your partial responsibility will not necessarily bar you from recovering some much-needed compensation.

You will not know for sure if you have a case or not until you consult an experienced car accident attorney. Choose a lawyer who understands the laws in South Carolina and has experience handling car accident claims.

How Can an South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me With a Car Accident?

Your personal injury lawyer will be able to collect all the evidence, connect your injuries to the accident, and work to secure compensation on your behalf. If you have been hurt in a car accident in South Carolina, the team at Jebaily Law Firm, P.A. can help. Call us, chat with us live, or fill out a contact form on our site to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team today.