Johnsonville, SC Car Accident Lawyer

If you find yourself in a car accident in Johnsonville, you have the right to get compensation for your losses. However, navigating the complex and often frustrating process of obtaining compensation can be overwhelming and stressful.

Fortunately, our firm can assist you in your time of need. Our team understands the challenges that car accident victims face, and we are committed to helping you recover every penny the other person’s negligence has cost you. With our help, you can rest assured that your interests are being protected and that you have the best possible chance of receiving the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Call our car accident lawyers at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000 for a free case review today.

How You Prove a Car Accident Case in Johnsonville, SC

Proving a car accident case involves demonstrating four key elements. Each of these elements, in turn, requires evidence. If one of the below elements is not shown, the case will be unsuccessful. Fortunately, our car accident attorneys know what evidence is needed to support each element so that a complete picture of your accident is presented. The following are the elements that must be proved to recover compensation in a lawsuit:

Duty of Care

Duty of care refers to the legal obligation drivers have to act in a manner that does not put others at risk. Every motorist on the road is responsible for driving safely, obeying traffic laws, and taking reasonable precautions to avoid causing harm to others.

To establish a duty of care in a car accident case, you need to demonstrate that the other driver had a responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe and lawful manner. This is typically straightforward, as all drivers are assumed to have this duty when they get behind the wheel.

Breach of Duty

Once you have established that the other driver had a duty of care, the next step is to prove that they breached this duty. A breach of duty occurs when a driver fails to uphold their responsibility to drive safely.

Proving a breach of duty involves showing that the other driver acted negligently or unlawfully. This could involve speeding, driving under the influence, failing to yield, running a red light, or any other action that violates traffic laws or general standards of safe driving.

Actual and Proximate Cause

Once a breach of duty has been established, you must then show that it was the actual and proximate cause of your injuries. Actual cause, also known as cause-in-fact, means that your injuries would not have occurred if it were not for the other party’s actions. In other words, the other party’s actions were the direct cause of your injuries.

Proximate cause, however, is not just about showing that the other party’s actions were the direct cause of your injuries. It also involves demonstrating that your injuries were a foreseeable result of the other party’s actions. In other words, it should have been reasonably predictable that the other party’s negligent or unlawful driving could result in the kind of harm you suffered.

Real Damages

The final element you need to prove in a car accident case is real damages. This means you must demonstrate that you suffered actual harm as a result of the accident.

Real damages can include physical injuries, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to keep thorough records of all costs related to your injuries, as these can serve as evidence of your damages.

Where You Can Find Evidence for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Johnsonville, SC

Finding evidence for a car accident lawsuit in Johnsonville involves looking at various sources. By gathering the right evidence, we can build a strong case and improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. The following are common places to find useful evidence for your case:

The Scene of the Accident

The scene of the incident is often the primary source of evidence. It is imperative to document the scene through photographs or videos as they can provide valuable information about the circumstances of the crash. These images can help to determine the cause of the accident, the extent of damage to vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and the presence and condition of traffic signs or signals.

Thus, taking photos immediately after the accident is advisable to ensure that the scene is captured accurately. This can help establish the facts of the case and assist in resolving any legal claims that might arise from the incident.

Police Reports

A police report is a critical piece of evidence in a car accident lawsuit. Law enforcement officers who respond to the scene of an accident will document their observations and findings in a report. This report might include details about the cause of the accident, any traffic law violations, and statements from witnesses.

Medical Records

Your medical records will also play a crucial role in documenting the extent of your injuries, the treatment you received, and the impact of the injuries on your life. These records can serve as powerful evidence in any legal or insurance claims. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you keep thorough and accurate records of all your medical appointments, treatments, and expenses.

Make sure to document all diagnoses, prescribed medications, medical procedures, and physical therapy sessions. It is also important to keep a record of all expenses related to your medical treatment, including hospital bills, doctor’s fees, and medication costs. By maintaining detailed medical records, you can provide solid evidence to support your claims and help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Witness Statements

Witnesses to the accident can provide an independent account of what happened, making their statements valuable evidence. If there were witnesses to your accident, try to get their contact information at the scene. We can later interview these witnesses and use their statements to support your case.

Expert Testimonies

Sometimes, it might be beneficial to enlist the help of experts to support your case. For example, a medical expert can offer an opinion on the cause and extent of your injuries, while a traffic accident reconstruction expert can help explain how the accident occurred. Their testimonies can provide compelling evidence to support your claim.

Surveillance Videos

The footage could serve as evidence if your accident occurred in an area with surveillance cameras, such as traffic cameras or security cameras from nearby businesses. This video can provide a real-time account of the accident, helping to establish fault.

Our Johnsonville, SC Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Get Compensation from the Parties Responsible for Your Harm

For a free case consultation with our car accident attorneys, contact Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers by calling (803) 451-4000.

$6 Million

The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a failing component of a commercial motor vehicle that fell from the vehicle into the roadway. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer as well as the manufacturer of the vehicle.

$4.1 Million

The Plaintiff was insured as a result of a refrigeration system that malfunctioned, spraying ammonia gas into the Plaintiff's face. As a result of this event, the Plaintiff sustained significant vision loss. The Plaintiff brought claims against his employer and the manufacturer of this system.

$2 Million

The Plaintiff was injured while riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. This event occurred in the city of Columbia and the Plaintiff sustained significant bodily injury resulting in extensive medical expenses and permanent injury.

$1.8 Million

The Plaintiff was injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 20. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and driver of the tractor trailer for his injuries relate to his lower back.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff sustained significant injury when she was attacked by a dog while performing repairs on a rental property. The Plaintiff was at the rental property as part of her employment with a rental management agency. She was attacked by the animal and sustained permanent nerve damage in her legs.

$1.3 Million

The Plaintiff was killed as a result of a collision with a logging truck that had been improperly loaded by a timber harvester. The proceeds of the settlement were funded by both the timber harvester and the owner of the logging truck.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff underwent surgery to her neck as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck on the head by a piece of loading equipment at her job. The Plaintiff was employed by a national retailer and was engaged in stocking shelves when the piece of equipment failed. After settling her workers' compensation claim, the Plaintiff brought a claim against the manufacturer of this equipment.

$1.1 Million

The Plaintiff brought a claim against a local medical facility for a false positive HIV reading. As a result of this false positive, the Plaintiff lived for 4½ years believing that she had the virus which leads to what she feared was an eventual AIDS diagnosis.