Seeking Justice for Georgia, North and South Carolina Car Accident Victims
A car accident can change your life in an instant, and it can be difficult to figure out where to turn to for help. Our top car accident lawyers know how to cut through complicated paperwork to get your compensation faster.
For more than 40 years, George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers has helped thousands of people navigate Georgia, North and South Carolina auto accident laws. Our car accident lawyers work to get you the money and support you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, uncertainty, pain and suffering, and other expenses in times of need, so you can focus on getting better.
After a car accident, you may have a lot of questions. Here are some answers that can help you decide if getting a car accident attorney is right for you, and what you stand to win from your personal injury claim.
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What Should I Do Immediately After A Car Accident?
If you’re in a car accident in North Carolina, South Carolina or Georgia, there are a few steps you can take immediately to stay safe and document your collision. Keep in mind that your best chance at a favorable settlement is to have comprehensive records of the accident:
- Call 9-1-1, report the accident to the police, and request medical attention if anyone is injured
- File an accident report with the police and get copies
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene if it’s safe to do so
- Get insurance information of the car(s) involved
- Get contact information from involved parties, including witnesses if possible
- Do not admit fault
- Consult a doctor and ensure they take a look at possible injuries (many injuries may not manifest immediately but can come up hours, days or weeks after an accident).
- Keep records of medical expenses following an accident
- Don’t post anything on social media about your car crash
- Don’t talk to any insurance representatives until you have talked with an attorney
- Contact our SC, NC and GA car accident attorneys
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. Car accident lawyers are there to guide you through the legal process and help you fight for your rights. Our top car accident lawyers can help gather evidence, provide legal counseling, file legal motions, conduct research, contact expert witnesses, and much more.
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers GA, NC and SC car accident lawyers are committed to building the strongest case possible on your behalf.
When Should I Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?
After a car accident, it’s important to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you can to protect yourself and ensure your rights are respected. In most cases, it’s helpful to have the support of a lawyer to guide you through the legal process. However, there are a few instances, like if the accident was very minor and there was no injury or loss at all, where having a lawyer may not seem necessary, but it’s still a good idea to get a free consultation with a car accident attorney.
What is the Statute of Limitation on a Car Accident?
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia auto accident laws place a time limit on car accident claims under most circumstances. Obtaining a car accident attorney as soon as possible gives you the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
Keep in mind that time is of the essence and there are several variables that can determine the time in which you have to file a claim. Even if you think this statute of limitations has lapsed, reach out to us to learn what options you may have.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of physical and mental injuries, and our GA, NC, and SC auto accident lawyers have worked with clients suffering from injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to more serious conditions like whiplash, fractures, neck and head injuries, burn injuries, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), internal bleeding, and even death.
When a loved one dies in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Even seemingly minor collisions can lead to considerable financial burdens, as hospital bills can be expensive. It’s important to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney for help immediately after an accident.
Who Is Liable For My Injuries in a Car Accident?
In some car accident cases, the person responsible for the accident is clear. In others, product manufacturers, property owners, and others not directly involved in the accident may have been instrumental in its cause and, therefore, any resulting injuries.
In these cases, additional parties can be proven negligent and held responsible for the accident’s damages. Our top car accident lawyers can help you determine who is liable in your case and hold them accountable for your injuries.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
In South Carolina, the at-fault party’s insurance carrier usually will not make an offer on your case until medical bills and records have been submitted. However, time will pass between your accident and the day when you may receive the settlement. That means you (or your health insurance) may need to cover your medical treatment during that time.
When money is recovered, those proceeds must first be used to pay back your health insurance company’s lien, per South Carolina law. The settlement funds will be used to zero out all medical provider balances (i.e. satisfy the remaining co-pays). Then any remaining funds will cover attorney fees and, of course, go to you.
In North Carolina, drivers are required to buy a minimum level of bodily liability coverage in their car insurance policy to pay for the other party’s medical expenses in the event that they are at-fault in a car accident. That means that in a car accident where the other driver is found to be responsible, their insurance will most likely pay for your medical expenses.
Keep in mind; however, that the insurance company will not pay these bills unless a settlement has been reached, which can take some time, and requires you to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries. That’s why, just like in SC, you are responsible for paying your medical bills as you incur them.
Similarly, when you are injured in a car accident in Georgia, you are responsible for paying your medical bills as you incur them, regardless of whether or not you file a car accident claim. Once your case settles, the insurance company for the at-fault driver may pay. However, auto injury claims may take a longer time to process, and the medical bills accrued before the settlement still need to be resolved as they happen.
Depending on the type of coverage you have, your health insurance will pay for car accident injuries while the lawsuit is active. Once money is recovered, the best course of action is to pay back health insurance companies with settlement amounts to reduce the chance of health premiums going up.
What Happens if You Don’t Have Auto Insurance?
You may be unsure what to do next if you’ve been in a car accident and you don’t have insurance. In addition to the cost of your own repairs or medical treatment, you could be responsible for the other driver’s damages.
It’s important to note that no matter who was at fault for the accident, in both Georgia and the Carolinas there are real consequences that can come with driving without insurance. These can include monetary penalties, misdemeanor charges, license suspension, or even jail time, depending on the number of offenses.
It’s very important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer to review your case and advise on your legal strategy.
What if the At-fault Party Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, drivers are encouraged to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. That way, if you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your insurance company will help pay for the expenses you incur.
In both Georgia and the Carolinas, the not-at-fault driver can pursue a claim against the at-fault party for damages. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you may not be able to recover the full compensation you seek: often when an individual doesn’t have insurance it’s because they cannot afford it. This means they most likely also cannot afford the compensation.
What Damages Can You Pursue After a Car Accident?
Our car accident attorneys can ensure you and your family recover full and fair compensation. There are two main types of damages you can pursue after a car accident: monetary and non-monetary.
Monetary expenses include:
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Non-monetary expenses include:
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What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Each car accident is different, and every case is unique. Multiple factors affect the amount of a car accident settlement, and in order to understand what the settlement for a car accident will be, an attorney must review the case and its context.
Our results for other clients do not guarantee our future results. However, our top car accident lawyers will pursue the maximum in recoverable damages.
Here are just some of our case results:
- $4.1 million total recovered for a family hit by a truck.
- $3 million total recovered for the family of a moped accident victim.
- $2.5 million total recovered for two clients hurt in a highway collision.
- $1.7 million for a client injured when hit by another car.
- $1 million for a group of four people injured in an auto collision.
- $957,865 for a family injured by a distracted driver.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?
The time it takes to settle a car accident case can vary greatly, depending on a variety of factors including the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, whether a lawsuit is filed, the types of damages sought, and more. Settlements can be as quick as three months or as long as a few years.
The best way to understand how long your settlement may take is to schedule a free case review with one of our car accident attorneys.
How Do I Get a Temporary Rental Car After an Accident?
In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay for the costs of your rental car. Start by contacting the at-fault driver’s insurance company to initiate a claim. Their adjuster can advise if the claim covers a rental, and how soon you can get a rental car.
Keep in mind that the particulars of each policy and other factors, such as liability, may determine who is responsible for paying for the rental car.
It’s common for the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy to have a limit on how long they will cover rental cars initially, and the time period may not be enough for your vehicle to be fixed or replaced. You can ask for an extension or call your own insurance to check if your rental coverage applies to your situation.
Our GA, NC, and SC car accident lawyers can review your policy and advise you on the best way to get the rental car you need.
What If I’m in an Accident in a Rental Car?
If you get in a car accident in a rental car in Georgia or the Carolinas, the steps are generally similar to the steps you would take if you had an accident in your own vehicle.
In many cases, your car insurance or your credit card may cover damage to rental cars. We recommend checking your policy’s coverage related to rental cars before getting behind the wheel of a rental car.
Most rental car companies offer additional forms of insurance when you pick up a vehicle. There is no legal obligation to buy extra insurance from the car rental company. In fact, in many cases, these may overlap with what you carry through your own insurance. However, you may take out additional insurance if you feel like your standard policy does not provide enough protection.
What Causes Most Car Accidents?
Many car accidents happen due to violations of motor vehicle laws, like speeding, failing to obey stop signs and traffic signals, driving recklessly, and other violations. Accidents can also be related to things like driver negligence or error, vehicle maintenance failures, poor highway design, vehicle defects, poor road conditions, weather or environmental factors, and more.
Our Car Accident Attorneys Are Ready To Serve Your Case
It’s important to be a defensive driver, but car accidents can’t always be prevented, especially with major highways like I-85, I-95, and I-20 passing through Georgia and the Carolinas.
Although we cannot prevent collisions, our expert car accident lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve after an accident. We know what it takes to prepare a case and get results for people injured in Georgia, North, and South Carolina car crashes.
If you are suffering from injuries related to a car accident, please call the office of George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers at 888-612-7001 for a free consultation in your home, at the hospital, or at our office.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Our law firm has worked on over 50,000 cases. We have extensive experience helping clients recover the compensation they deserve after a car accident. Our experienced car accident attorneys at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers specialize in all types of car accident cases, including:
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