A Few Important Issues in Auto Accident Cases

Getting your car fixed.
We have found that it is important to work fast to get our client’s car repaired. If it is beyond a financially feasible repair, we need to work with the insurance company to have them declare it a total loss as soon as possible so that our client can get the money they need to buy a new one. A client can help his or her attorney by doing some research to help determine the value of the vehicle. Websites like www.autotrader.com are a great place to start to get a rough idea of the value of the vehicle. Few things cause as much stress on a client or strain on the attorney-client relationship than a delay in getting the client back on the road.

When the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough.
In cases involving significant injuries and medical bills, the amount of the wrongdoer’s liability insurance coverage may be insufficient. In such cases, it may be necessary to make an Underinsured Motorist claim under your own insurance policy. Underinsured Motorist coverage is an extra coverage that you may have, available for an additional premium. When you purchase an automobile insurance policy, the agent must make what is called a “meaningful offer” to sell you Underinsured Motorist coverage in South Carolina. We have learned through our experience that some of the forms insurance companies use to make this offer may contain mistakes and thus may not qualify as a “meaningful offer” under the law. In such cases where no “meaningful offer” is made, Underinsured Motorist coverage benefits may be available. Consider consulting with a lawyer to help you work through these types of coverage issues.

Prior injuries.
Many people involved in accidents have had prior back, neck, or other problems that are aggravated or made worse by an accident. Oftentimes, insurance companies will use the fact that someone has had prior back problems as a way to significantly reduce the amount that the insurance company will offer as a settlement. One way to combat this is to provide proof that the prior problems did not cause difficulty in your daily life, by showing that your life has been affected by back or neck problems only after and because of the latest accident.

At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we see these types of issues over and over again. We have helped over 40,000 injured people, and in each case we work hard to get injured victims the money they deserve. If you are injured in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1-800-849-SINK (7465) for a free consultation.

The information relayed in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. The cases referenced and explained by the blog’s author(s) are for informational purposes only and are not intended to imply that certain, or similar, results may be achieved in each client’s case.