If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Rock Hill, SC, you may be dealing with a host of unexpected costs, including medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and more. If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to recover compensation for these losses.
Navigating the personal injury claim process can be complicated. Hiring an experienced attorney to handle your case can make a huge difference, but many people wonder if they need to hire an attorney for their case.
Knowing when to hire a car accident lawyer in South Carolina is crucial and can drastically impact your personal injury claim.
Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
Hiring an attorney to handle your car accident claim is not legally required. However, most injured parties will benefit from hiring a personal injury attorney. If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you usually must deal with an insurance company to recover compensation. An experienced car accident attorney will level the playing field between you and the insurance company.
An experienced attorney will understand the damages available in your case, the amount other victims have recovered in similar situations, and how to navigate the claim process. Further, the insurance company knows that an experienced attorney is prepared to take your case to court if they don’t reach a reasonable settlement with you.
How Common Are Car Accidents?
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 147,724 collisions in South Carolina in 2021. Of those collisions, 2,392 caused serious injuries, 34,068 caused non-serious injuries, and 1,112 caused fatal injuries.
A traffic collision occurs every 3.6 minutes in South Carolina. Every 14.4 minutes, an injury-causing collision occurs.
What Causes Most Car Accidents?
The most common causes of car accidents relate to driver error, including:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving most often refers to using a cell phone or mobile device while driving. However, it can also refer to anything that takes one’s attention away from the task of driving. In South Carolina, it’s unlawful to use a wireless communication device to compose, send, or read a text-based communication while driving.
Speeding
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost two-thirds of all traffic fatalities are caused by speeding. Driving within the speed limit is one of the simplest ways to help reduce car accidents and injuries.
Driving Under the Influence
According to data from 2013 to 2017, driving under the influence resulted in over 28,000 accidents in South Carolina. Moreover, 29% of traffic fatalities in 2018 were attributed to driving under the influence. If you suspect a drunk driver is on the road, report them to law enforcement once you are away from the drunk driver and when it is safe to do so.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive or reckless driving includes ignoring traffic laws such as speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals. It also includes changing lanes improperly and following too closely. Aggressive drivers create an unsafe situation on the road for themselves and other drivers and pedestrians.
Failing to Yield the Right of Way
Failing to yield the right of way means going when it is another car’s turn to go instead. This is one of the leading causes of car accidents in South Carolina. Examples of failing to yield include failing to yield to other cars when merging lanes, failing to yield to cyclists and pedestrians at crosswalks, and failing to yield at a four-way stop.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a variety of different injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and bruises
- Amputations
- Burns
Car accidents may also lead to emotional injuries, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, and pain and suffering.
How Much Do Car Accident Attorneys Cost?
Personal injury lawyers usually take cases on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee is one that is collected at the end of the case as a percentage of the client’s ultimate financial recovery. Most personal injury lawyers charge between 33% and 40%, depending on the case’s complexity, duration, and whether it proceeds to trial.
The injured party does not have to pay any attorney’s fees upfront. This allows anyone to retain an attorney to handle their personal injury case, regardless of their financial situation. The attorney only gets paid if they successfully recover compensation for their client.
Are Car Accident Attorneys Worth It?
Hiring an experienced Rock Hill car accident attorney has clear benefits. They’ll help you navigate the complexities of the personal injury claim process, level the playing field between you and the insurance provider, and stay focused on your case. This allows you the opportunity to focus on your recovery.
Contact an Experienced Rock Hill Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The dedicated attorneys at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys are here to help you navigate the car accident claim process. Contact our office at 803-324-7574 for a free consultation today if you’re still on the fence about hiring a lawyer to handle your Rock Hill, SC car accident case.