Car accidents can leave victims with serious injuries that require substantial compensation. While you may believe you have to use your insurance to get compensation after a crash, an insurance claim could set you up for reduced damages and difficult arguments with insurance companies.
Instead, consider taking your case to a Lexington, SC car accident lawyer. Our attorneys can take your case and talk to the insurance companies for you, negotiating for the highest compensation we can. We can also take your case to trial and fight before a judge and jury to get your case compensated, if necessary.
For a free case review, call our Lexington, SC car accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation. At Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers, we offer free evaluations to get you started on your path to recovery. Call us at (803) 451-4000 today.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash in Lexington, SC
If you are physically well enough to contact a lawyer after a car crash, you should call as soon as you can. The aftermath of a car accident can be hectic and confusing, but there are steps to be taken right away to help secure evidence that can be vital to proving who was at fault in your case.
There are some steps you can take to collect evidence at the scene of the crash, and a police report will contain similar information. However, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can secure witness statements, security camera footage, dash cam video, professional photos of the accident scene, and any other evidence our lawyers can collect. Some of the evidence that car accident victims often miss – like security camera footage from local businesses or homes – might be vital to building a strong case.
Dealing with insurance companies can also be stressful and trying. Having a Lexington car accident lawyer on your side before you even make the first call to an insurance company can make the process a lot smoother. Your lawyer will know what to tell the insurance company and what information they need to pay your claim with fewer calls to insurance and potentially fewer denials. Your lawyer can also negotiate your case from the beginning to get you the compensation you truly need rather than whatever low amount the insurance company initially offers. Additionally, your lawyer can work on filing your claim in court and get that process started in case your case needs to go to trial.
Proving Fault in Different Types of Car Crashes in Lexington, SC
To prove that another driver was at fault in a car accident, you typically need to prove negligence. In most car crashes, the at-fault driver will not have intentionally caused the crash, so the courts and insurance companies look for mistakes and dangerous actions behind the wheel that show carelessness or lack of skill. In most cases, a specific traffic violation will suffice.
The following are common examples of types of car accidents along with the specific type of negligence or traffic violations that lead to a driver being found at fault for that kind of crash:
Rear-End Crashes
Following too closely is illegal in South Carolina. When a driver hits you because they were tailgating you, you can usually hold them liable for the crash.
However, if the driver in front slammed on the brakes to try to draw the driver behind them into hitting them, the accident could be their fault. Similarly, if the driver in front was actually going in reverse at the time of the crash, the accident might be their fault instead of the rear driver’s fault.
Head-On Crashes
If one driver crashes head-on into another, it is usually because one of the drivers crossed the line into oncoming traffic or drove the wrong day down a one-way street. Driving the wrong way down a road or lane is illegal and would put that driver at fault. On roads where the lines are not clearly marked, it might be harder to tell if you are across the imaginary center line, but our Lexington, SC car accident lawyers can help argue the facts of the case in that situation.
These accidents can also happen when one driver pulls out into oncoming traffic to make a left turn. People turning left are required to yield to oncoming traffic, so driving into someone making a left turn would also constitute a traffic violation that could make them responsible for the crash.
Drunk, Distracted, and Tired Driving
Driving under the influence, distracted driving, and drowsy driving are all potential dangers that are illegal or at least constitute negligence in most cases. If the driver who hit you was drinking and driving, texting and driving, or falling asleep at the wheel, we can work to hold them accountable for your crash.
Any evidence of their manner and demeanor that you witness after the crash – such as slurred speech, an open text on their phone, or sluggish movements – can all be used against them in court. Talk to your Lexington car accident attorneys about what evidence might help prove your case.
Speeding
Speed is a factor in a large percentage of car accidents. Generally speaking, higher-speed accidents tend to cause more damage and more injuries. If you were hit by a driver who was speeding, our Lexington car accident attorneys can work to hold them accountable for your injuries.
If you were speeding when the accident happened, that might count against you to some degree. However, you can still usually recover some amount of damages for your injuries as long as you are no more than 50% liable for the crash.
Call Our Lexington, SC Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you were hurt in a car crash in Lexington, call Lexington car accident attorneys at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation. Our number is (803) 451-4000.