Is it worth getting a lawyer for minor car accident in South Carolina?
With almost 229 million drivers in the United States in 2019, it is no surprise that there are over 6 million car accidents per year in the United States. Though you may be a safe and defensive driver, sometimes accidents are unavoidable.
Luckily, not every accident will be serious. If you are involved in a minor car accident, you may be left with some bumps and bruises and some minor property damage. You may be wondering if it’s even worth it to hire a lawyer when the accident wasn’t serious.
It may feel difficult to determine whether or not you need a car accident attorney in South Carolina after being involved in a minor car accident. However, even minor accidents may result in injuries, which will create medical bills and possibly result in missed pay, among other things. You will likely need to deal with insurance companies, and that is not always a straightforward process.
If you’ve been involved in a minor car accident in South Carolina, contact an experienced car accident attorney to schedule a no-obligation consultation so we can discuss the specifics of your case and determine your best course of action moving forward.
When is a Car Accident Classified as Minor?
It can be difficult to know if the accident you were involved in was a major one or a minor one. A minor car accident is an accident that typically occurs at a low speed. It is usually low impact, causing only superficial damage to the vehicles involved, which generally means that they are still able to operate normally after the accident.
However, it is important to note that serious injuries can still arise from minor car accidents, especially with rear-end collisions. Any collision puts the parties involved at risk for a variety of neck and spine injuries, such as whiplash. If you’ve been involved in an accident at all, it is important to seek medical care as soon as you can in order to receive treatment for any injuries as well as to have documentation that the injuries are a result of the car accident in which you were involved.
How Do I Know If I Need an Attorney?
There are a few points to take into consideration when determining whether or not you should contact and hire a car accident attorney after your minor accident. Here are some points to keep in mind as you consider this decision:
Who Was at Fault?
If you believe you were 100% at fault for the accident and you have coverage on your vehicle through an auto insurance company, then you may not need to hire an attorney as one will likely be provided to defend you for the civil damages you may have caused. However, if you got a ticket for a moving violation or a DUI, you should contact a criminal lawyer for those types of cases. Unfortunately, our law firm does not assist with those kinds of criminal matters.
However, if liability is unclear, you should speak to an accident attorney. If appropriate, one may be able to help you investigate the accident further and establish who was most at fault. Note that South Carolina has a modified comparative fault rule, which means that someone has to be less at fault (less than 50% at fault) for the accident in order to seek compensation.
Did you sustain any injuries?
Were there any injuries as a result of your car accident? Even if the answer seems like it may be no, keep in mind that many injuries take days or weeks to make themselves apparent. Remember, it is always a best practice to seek medical attention after any motor vehicle accident. Depending on the severity of your injuries, an attorney may be able to assist you. It is also a good idea to call an experienced injury firm, they can be honest with you about whether or not they can help you add value to your accident and injury claim.
Did you sustain any psychological harm?
Even if your accident didn’t result in any physical injuries, it is important not to discount the physiological toll that being in an accident can cause. While injuries like whiplash may be more commonly associated with mild accidents, it is important to note that even minor wrecks can cause the victims anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Recovery for non-physical injuries is usually set in proportion to general damages, such as hospital bills and other treatment costs. Working with a lawyer can help give you a leg-up when trying to connect your psychological trauma or physical pain and suffering to claimable compensation when seeking to recover from the accident. Remember, it is necessary to have diagnosis and treatment from appropriate medical professionals should you consider seeking damages related to stress and anxiety caused by your accident.
What Services Can an Attorney Provide?
Being in a minor car accident can still cause a major hassle in your life, and you may not have the time or capacity to take on the responsibility of having to deal with the fallout of the accident. That is another benefit of hiring an attorney after your car accident: they can help do all the work for you so that you can concentrate on recuperating from the wreck.
Here are some services an experienced car accident attorney in South Carolina can do for you:
- File official paperwork within the timeframe allowed
- Collect evidence from the accident
- Obtain police reports
- Talk with witnesses
- Facilitate discussion with other parties involved
- Work and negotiate with the insurance company
- Obtain medical bills and files
- Give provider recommendations for diagnosis and follow-up treatment
Contact An Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
What is minor to one person, may be something completely different to someone else. Always speak to a lawyer before assuming your case does not need one.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in South Carolina, even a minor one, contact an experienced attorney from Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers. With almost 40 years of combined experience of serving car accident victims, an attorney from Auger & Auger will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Call us at (855) 971-1114 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation and no-pressure consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. During this consultation, we will listen to the specifics of your case and provide you with personalized feedback in regards to your case and advise you on how to best move forward. Contact us today so we can begin fighting for you!
