Laurens is a charming city in Laurens County, South Carolina. For centuries, the region was primarily agriculture-driven. Then, during the twentieth century, a few manufacturing companies moved into the area, and eventually Wal-Mart, Michelin, and Milliken all established large distribution centers there. Today, there are many automotive parts suppliers in the northern part of Laurens County, all of them supplying BMW’s large upstate automobile plant.
Although Laurens and the surrounding region have experienced significant growth, there are some areas where they lag slightly. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 922 fatal crashes on South Carolina roads in 2019, killing 1,001 people and accounting for 1.73 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. In Laurens specifically, there were three fatal accidents that killed four people.
In the aftermath of a car accident, you may be faced with lost wages, high medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and complicated insurance claims. It is safe to say that insurance companies have experienced attorneys protecting their interests, so you deserve a Laurens SC personal injury lawyer who will diligently protect your right to compensation. The Derrick Law Firm has over 30 years of experience representing injured individuals and families and will fight to get the money you deserve.
How Much is My Laurens, SC Car Accident Case Worth?
When it comes to an auto accident injury claim, there are many variables and unique factors to consider. Therefore, there is no one size fits all answer to this question, as it depends on a number of factors including damages suffered, the severity of injuries suffered, and the time the injury affects the individual. Generally speaking, the damages awarded in a civil case for a broken bone will be much less than a case involving wrongful death.
The more severe and impactful an injury is on a victim and their family, the more damages are awarded. These losses can be classified as economic or non-economic damages.
- Economic Damages: These damages are based on the specific expenses incurred by your car accident. They typically include medical treatment, rehabilitative therapies, lost wages, loss of earning ability, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are more difficult to assess, but they are still compensable. Examples include disfigurement, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Damage Caps in Laurens, South Carolina
Your final settlement or award may be impacted by statutory caps on certain types of damages. In South Carolina, the following caps apply:
- Damages in personal injury lawsuits against government entities are limited to $300,000 per person or $600,000 per incident.
- In medical malpractice cases, non-economic damages are capped at $350,000 per defendant and cannot exceed $1.05 million for all defendants.
- Punitive damages are limited to $500,000, or three times the actual damages (whichever is greater).
Impact of Negligence on Compensation
South Carolina observes the modified comparative fault rule. According to this rule, the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover is reduced by the percentage of their fault. Furthermore, if the plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they are barred from seeking damages. Your Laurens car accident attorney will take steps to prevent the insurance company from unfairly blaming you for the accident and limiting or even eliminating your compensation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Laurens?
If you’ve been in a car crash in or around Laurens, your next steps are critical.
The first thing you should do is call 911 to report the accident. If you don’t believe you are injured, exit your vehicle. While you wait for the police to arrive, exchange contact and insurance information with the driver who hit you and take pictures of the accident scene. If you’re too injured to do so safely, ask a bystander for help. They can then email or text you the information.
Don’t admit fault or discuss blame with anyone at the scene, as your words could be used to reduce or deny your compensation. A comment like “I’m so sorry- I was in a hurry and didn’t see you” can have severe consequences later on.
After the police arrive on the scene, they will create a report that you can use as evidence in your personal injury claim. You should then seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’ve been injured because some injuries don’t present themselves immediately. Once you know for sure that you’ve been injured, contact a Laurens car accident attorney who can help you seek fair compensation.
When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Laurens?
In South Carolina, you have up to three years to file a personal injury claim, but it’s important to act quickly. As soon as the insurance company learns about the accident, you’ll be hearing from a claims adjuster who will ask you a lot of questions about the crash and your own well-being. If you’ve never been through the claims process before, it’s easy to forget that the friendly person on the line is more interested in protecting their company’s profits than paying the full value of your claim. You could say the wrong thing and find yourself beset by difficulties.
It is for this reason that you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as a medical examination confirms that you’ve got compensable injuries. The Derrick Law Firm has extensive experience negotiating and even litigating car accident claims in Laurens and throughout South Carolina, and will ensure that your claim is handled promptly and efficiently. We’re also not afraid to go head-to-head with the big insurance companies and insist on the compensation you need and are entitled to.
Contact Our Laurens Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Laurens car accident, contact The Derrick Law Firm today for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. We have been assisting injured clients for decades throughout the entire insurance claim process and will fight to maximize your financial recovery. To learn more or schedule a case review, please call 843-488-5360 or contact us online.
Call
Email