Were you injured in a car accident in Fort Mill, SC? Did it result from someone else’s negligence? If so, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and more.
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can help you pursue a fair financial recovery. Our Fort Mill car accident lawyers have over 150 years of combined experience. We opened our law firm in 1980 to protect the rights of personal injury victims throughout the upstate, securing $100+ million in settlements and awards.
You don’t have to battle insurance adjusters and other opposing parties alone. Let us be your trusted advocates. Contact us today at (803) 902-4045 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
How Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help You After a Car Accident in Fort Mill, SC
In the aftermath of a traffic accident, you may be struggling with physical injuries and trauma. On top of that, financial burdens from medical bills and lost wages can create even more stress.
You expect the liable party to pay you what’s fair for these and other losses – but that’s not usually the case. They’ll likely fight you every step of the way. You shouldn’t have to worry about these legal issues while recovering. That’s where we come in.
The legal team at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys has been standing up for accident victims for over four decades. In that time, we’ve acquired more than $100 million for our clients.
If you hire our Fort Mill personal injury lawyers after a car accident, we’ll:
- Investigate the crash to identify all responsible parties
- Collect evidence proving liability and damages
- Calculate the accurate value of your claim
- Handle all communications and monitor deadlines
- Negotiate with the insurance company and others on your behalf
- Protect you from allegations of blame
- Represent you in the courtroom if necessary
Don’t accept a settlement offer before discussing your case with our trusted Fort Mill personal injury attorneys. Call our law office to schedule a free consultation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Not every car accident victim will require legal representation. However, even minor collisions can result in severe injuries. Additionally, you may not fully recognize the extent of your damages without an attorney’s assistance.
Therefore, it’s best to consult a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Fort Mill to discuss what happened and determine whether you need their help.
An attorney will level the playing field: When you hire an attorney, you’re getting an ally whose goal is aligned with yours: to get the maximum amount of compensation. The insurance company’s goal is the complete opposite, and they have vast resources to fight your claim. Let an attorney use their skills and knowledge to obtain a fair outcome for you.
You’ll have time to rest and recover: Your lawyer will handle all aspects of your claim, allowing you to seek the necessary medical treatments and therapies.
Most importantly, you’ll likely recover more compensation with skilled legal representation. Call our law firm to learn how you may benefit from an attorney-client relationship.
How Much Money Can I Get from a Car Accident Case?
The value of your Fort Mill car accident case will depend on various factors unique to your situation.
For example, we’ll evaluate the following when determining what your personal injury claim is worth:
- Your injuries and their severity
- The medical treatment you require now and in the future
- Whether you’re expected to make a full recovery
- Your lost wages and benefits
- Whether you can earn the same living as before the crash
- Whether you share responsibility for the auto accident
- The impact of the pain and suffering you’ve endured
- The insurance policy limits involved in your case
These and other factors may affect how much compensation you can obtain. Our Fort Mill car accident attorneys will leave no stone unturned when valuing your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
South Carolina’s statute of limitations sets the time limits for filing lawsuits, including those based on car accidents. By default, you have three years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you file your lawsuit past that point, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation.
However, note that you might have a different amount of time to take legal action in your particular case – there are exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations. Contact our personal injury law firm as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and interests.
What Types of Compensation (Damages) Are Available After a Car Accident?
Under personal injury law in South Carolina, you can get two types of “compensatory damages” after a car accident: economic and non-economic. Punitive damages may also be available if your case goes to trial, but only in rare circumstances.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent the financial aspects of your car accident, such as:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You can include just about every loss you’ve incurred due to your crash in your economic damages claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are for the other, less-quantifiable consequences of your car accident, including:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish and conditions like PTSD
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Loss of quality of life
Often, non-economic damages add up to the majority of a personal injury case’s worth.
Punitive Damages
Unlike the other two types of damages, punitive damages aren’t intended to compensate for your losses. Instead, they are meant to “punish” the defendant for extreme behavior. Specifically, you must establish by clear and convincing evidence that they acted willfully, wantonly, or recklessly.
Our lawyers will work hard to secure any damages that might be available to you in your case. Learn more about legal options after a car accident by contacting us for a free case assessment.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Mill, South Carolina?
At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys, we work for a contingency fee instead of charging a flat rate or by the hour. Essentially, we only receive attorney’s fees if we successfully obtain compensation for you – whether through a settlement agreement or jury verdict.
At the conclusion of your car accident case, we will receive a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your money damages as payment for our legal services. The percentage varies from case to case, but it will generally be around 33%.
The contingency payment system aligns your interests with ours, as we will be incentivized to increase the value of your claim as much as possible. In addition, you can hire our award-winning personal injury lawyers even if your crash has left you with significant financial expenses.
Can I Get Money if I Was Partly at Fault for My Car Accident?
Yes, you can still potentially recover compensation if you share some of the blame for your car accident in Fort Mill. However, this is only true up to a specific point, as South Carolina follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard with a 51% bar to recovery.
Under state law, you may be assigned a percentage of responsibility for your car crash. If this percentage is 51% or higher, you cannot get money from the other driver under state law.
You can still recover damages otherwise, but your compensation can be reduced. For example, sharing 15% of the blame means your damages can be reduced by 15%.
It’s almost certain that the opposing party will try to blame you for the accident, as they can reduce or eliminate their liability for your claim if they do so successfully. Hiring an experienced attorney will allow you to fight back, as your lawyer can work to minimize the percentage of blame you are assessed.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Many car accident cases are resolved before going to trial — over 90%. However, your case may go to trial if a settlement agreement cannot be reached. This can occur when insurance companies refuse to make offers that consider the full extent of your damages.
While most car accident cases are resolved prior to trial, it is essential not to settle too quickly. Insurance adjusters often make low initial offers, hoping accident victims will accept. Having an attorney who is a skilled negotiator but also willing to go to trial when needed is crucial.
An experienced Fort Mill car accident attorney can work with you to devise an effective case strategy to pursue fair compensation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are often frightening and overwhelming. Understanding what to do in these chaotic moments can help you be prepared for the unexpected.
Take the following steps after a car accident in Fort Mill:
- Get to safety
- Seek medical attention
- Alert law enforcement of the accident
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver
- Use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Take notes regarding what occurred
- Gather witness statements and contact information
- Notify the insurance company
- Consult a car accident lawyer in Fort Mill, SC.
You may think you’re at fault in the immediate aftermath of a collision. However, you should never admit fault at the accident scene or when speaking to an insurance adjuster. Contact a car accident attorney in Fort Mill before agreeing to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Lawyers handle all types of car accident claims in Fort Mill. We have extensive experience representing clients injured in the following collision:
Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run accidents can be complex to handle. Sorting through insurance claims and identifying the at-fault party can be overwhelming. A Fort Mill hit and run accident attorney is here to make this challenging process more manageable for you.
T-Bone Car Accidents
T-bone car accidents can leave drivers and passengers facing life-altering injuries. Reach out to a Fort Mill T-bone car accident lawyer to begin the process of recovering much-needed compensation.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Whether a motorist is texting while driving or enthralled in conversation with passengers, the results can be catastrophic. Contact a Fort Mill distracted driving accident attorney to learn more about how to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Being involved in an accident with a drunk driver can be a traumatic experience. You don’t have to go through this alone. A Fort Mill drunk driving accident attorney can walk you through the process of seeking justice after a drunk driving accident.
Uber Accidents
Uber accidents can be complicated for rideshare users and others on the road. There may be multiple insurance companies involved, and negotiations are often hectic. Reach out to a Fort Mill Uber accident lawyer for help navigating a rideshare collision.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions lead to life-altering injuries and property damage far too often. While you focus on healing, a Fort Mill head-on collision lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident case with one of our car accident lawyers in Fort Mill, SC.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting From a Car Accident?
South Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that any party who causes your injuries resulting from a car accident could be liable.
The following parties could be liable for your injuries resulting from a car accident:
- Motorists
- Bicyclists
- Passengers
- Employers of negligent employees
- Truck drivers
- Pedestrians
- Motorcyclists
- Trucking companies
- Bus drivers
- Transit companies
A skilled Fort Mill car accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to identify any at-fault parties who may be liable for your injuries.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause injuries to nearly every part of the body. However, some injuries are more common than others. The type and severity of injuries a person suffers in a collision often depend on the type of car accident (head-on collision, rear-end collision, etc.).
The following types of injuries are common in car accidents:
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Chest injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bruising
- Cuts/lacerations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Lawyers has experience handling car accident claims involving all types of injuries. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve after your accident.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents have many causes. Many collisions have more than one cause. The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Improper turns
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Defective auto parts
- Road defects
- Inclement weather
It’s important to understand the cause(s) of your accident before you pursue a personal injury claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate your crash to gather evidence and identify the causes of your crash.
Fort Mill Car Accident Statistics
Fort Mill has its fair share of motor vehicle accidents. In one recent year, York County experienced 37 fatal collisions, which resulted in 43 deaths. This accounted for over 3% of South Carolina’s 1,112 fatal accidents that year.
Additionally, the county had an additional 111 serious injury collisions, compared to 2,392 statewide. Overall, there were 6,609 collisions in the county that year — and 147,724 throughout the state.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Fort Mill
Fort Mill doesn’t have the traffic and congestion of some of South Carolina’s major cities. However, it does have a few dangerous intersections with a history of car accidents. The following intersections are ones where drivers should exercise caution:
- C. 160 and I-77
- Springfield Parkway and A.O. Jones Boulevard
I-77 is one of the most dangerous roadways in York County. Drivers in the area may not be able to avoid these roads and intersections altogether, but they can exercise heightened caution when traveling on or near the roads.
Call Our Fort Mill Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
If you’ve been in a car accident in Fort Mill, South Carolina, you need to act quickly. You deserve quality legal representation to help you recover money for your medical expenses and other damages. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you stand up for your rights.
Let us put our 150+ years of combined experience behind your claim. We’ve already recovered $100+ million for injured clients.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Mill car accident attorney. We’re standing by to help you.