Most of us travel by personal motor vehicle every single day. It’s a simple, automatic part of our daily lives. Rarely, if ever, do most motorists think about the possibility that they could be involved in a life-changing car accident at any moment. However, this kind of accident occurs every single day. In 2009, more than 100,000 motor vehicle collisions occurred in South Carolina. A car accident can result in injuries, scarring, permanent disability and even death to drivers and passengers.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident that you did not cause, you could be entitled to monetary compensation to cover the expenses you have incurred due to your injury. Examples of such expenses are medical bills, lost wages because of time spent out of work, general care for your aches and pains, and accommodations you’ve had to make because of lessened mobility or a temporary disability following your accident.
The McGrath Law Firm in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina is here to help you claim your monetary compensation. Our personal injury attorneys have an intricate understanding of state personal injury laws and can help you develop a strong case.
South Carolina Statute of Limitations
Under S.C. Code Ann. Section 15-3-530, the statute of limitations for all personal injury claims in South Carolina is three years from the date of the accident. That means that once three years pass after your accident, you are no longer entitled to file a personal injury claim and potentially collect monetary compensation. This is why it’s so important to be proactive and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can following a motor vehicle accident.
The statute of limitations is also one of the reasons why it is crucial that you seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Even if you feel fine or only have scratches and bruises from an accident, go to your doctor for an examination. Some conditions appear fine at the time of the injury, only to become prevalent months or even years later. A doctor’s record can also greatly help your claim.
Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state. That means that when an accident occurs in South Carolina, multiple parties may file claims against each other, depending on how at-fault each party is determined to be. For example, imagine two cars are involved in a collision. One of the drivers is injured and opts to file a personal injury claim against the other driver. The insurance adjuster finds that although one driver’s carelessness primarily caused the accident, the filing driver’s speeding added to its impact. The adjuster may state that the filing driver holds 30% of the responsibility for the accident. In this scenario, the filing driver is only entitled to collect 70% of the total amount of money that he might have been entitled to collect because he holds 30% of the responsibility for his injury.
Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Don’t accept the first settlement you’re offered for your injury unless you’ve already discussed your case with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can help you determine if you’re entitled to a larger compensation package. If you accept less money than you’re entitled to receive, you could find yourself bankrupted by your injury years down the line. Don’t let your injury bankrupt you – get the money you deserve by working with the McGrath Law Firm. Call us today at 843-606-2755.