How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Myrtle Beach?
The value of your car accident case in Myrtle Beach depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Serious injuries, higher medical bills, and the need for future income compensation can increase a settlement amount. You may also be compensated for pain and suffering if the accident has affected your quality of life.
If you have been injured in a car accident, a car accident attorney can help ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to based on the specifics of your case.
Understanding Myrtle Beach Car Accident Laws
South Carolina law holds the person who caused the accident liable for the damage and injuries they caused. This is called “fault-based” auto insurance. The following can affect how much you might seek from the at-fault driver’s insurance:
- Severity of Injuries: The worse your injuries are, the more money you likely need.
- Medical Expenses: Keep track of all your doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and any other medical treatment you need because of the accident. The insurance company will look at these bills when deciding how much to offer you.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, you can ask for money to cover your lost wages. If you can’t go back to your job at all, you might seek compensation for the income you’ll lose in the future, too.
- Property Damage: The cost to fix or replace your car is part of your case’s value.
- Pain and Suffering: You can also seek compensation for non-economic losses, such as the physical pain and mental trauma you experience due to your injuries.
The Role of Fault and Insurance Coverage in Your Case
South Carolina follows the principle of modified comparative negligence. This means that if you were partly to blame for the accident, you can still get compensation, but it might be reduced depending on your degree of fault. You can seek compensation if you were less than 50 percent to blame for the accident.
In South Carolina, drivers only need to have $25,000 in liability insurance to cover injuries to one person. If the person who hit you doesn’t have much insurance, it can limit how much you can get, even if your case is worth more.
Serious Misconduct
If the other driver engaged in willful, wanton, or reckless conduct to cause your injuries, your attorney might seek punitive damages as part of a car accident lawsuit. These damages are rare but can apply when someone’s conduct was serious and intolerable.
Contact a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney
Our car accident lawyers from John Price Law Firm can help gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies to seek the best possible outcome for you. Having a lawyer who knows Myrtle Beach and its courts can make a big difference in your case. Call our Myrtle Beach office today or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.