Greenville Rear-End Collisions Lawyers
A rear-end collision can jolt your system and disrupt your life. One of the first steps to take after a crash is to contact one of the best Greenville rear-end collisions lawyers around. Peace Law Firm is one of the best.
Our rear-end collisions attorney understands the challenges you face after an accident and is here to help you navigate the legal and insurance processes.
With extensive experience in the insurance industry, Attorney John Peace has been protecting South Carolina car accident victims for more than 20 years. Contact our office today if you want help tailored to your case’s unique facts. We can guide you so you feel informed, confident, and protected.
What to Do Right After an Accident
After a car crash, you must follow South Carolina’s car crash rules and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Let’s take a closer look at these rules.
Stop and Exchange Information
Under South Carolina law, parties involved in a collision that causes vehicle damage or a personal injury must stop at the scene of an accident, move cars out of the road (if able), and exchange information. The exchange should include:
- Names,
- Addresses, and
- Vehicle registration numbers for the vehicles involved.
If someone involved asks, you might also have to show your driver’s license. You could face criminal penalties if you don’t show your license or provide the above-listed information.
Report the Accident to the Authorities
For accidents involving injuries, death, or property damage worth at least $1,000, you must also report the accident and forward a verification of your liability insurance coverage to law enforcement. Generally, you have 15 days to complete this task.
Help Others Involved
If someone suffers an injury in a rear-end collision, South Carolina law obligates you to give them reasonable help. This help can include calling emergency services or arranging for the person to get to a healthcare provider. Once again, a failure to do this could subject you to criminal penalties.
Filing a Claim or Lawsuit
After a car accident, you can recover your losses through an insurance claim or a lawsuit. When seeking relief for a car accident, there are two questions you must answer:
- Who was at fault?
- How much did you lose because of the accident?
Below, we go over possible answers to these questions.
Who Is at Fault?
In rear-end collisions, the driver who hits from behind typically is at fault because they are supposed to stay at a safe following distance. But, there may be exceptions to this rear-end at-fault rule if other conditions during the accident made your actions reasonable. We can review the facts of your case to determine fault and see if any exceptions may apply.
How Much Did You Lose?
When you file a claim for damages in a rear-end collision case, you can receive compensation based on what you lost and how bad the at-fault driver’s behavior was. You can recover the following:
- Economic damages—expenses from medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, property repair or replacement costs, and other financial losses;
- Noneconomic damages—pay you for your pain and suffering, disfigurement, or emotional distress; and
- Punitive damages—to punish the at-fault driver for any wanton, wilful, or reckless conduct.
Of the above-listed compensation, punitive damages are the most difficult to prove. You must show clear and convincing evidence to prove your right to punitive damages.
John Peace has been maximizing damages for car accident victims for years, and he can help establish your right to every type of compensation available.
Making a Claim or Filing a Lawsuit
After a rear-end collision, you can receive compensation for your losses through an insurance claim or sue the at-fault driver in court. Filing an insurance claim is usually your first step.
Filing a Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
In South Carolina, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance typically covers:
- Present and future medical expenses,
- Property repair or replacement costs,
- Lost wages and earning capacity, and
- Pain and suffering.
The insurance company will likely make a settlement offer to you, which should cover all the damages mentioned above. We can analyze the details of your case to determine a fair settlement offer for your claim. Or firm is prepared to take your case to court should the insurance company fail to make you an offer sufficient to meet your needs.
Starting a Lawsuit
In South Carolina, you have three years to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage. Missing this deadline may mean losing your right to seek compensation after a crash. Before starting your lawsuit, you will need to determine:
- How much present and future medical care you will need,
- The amount of wage loss you will likely experience, and
- The repair or replacement costs for your property.
With decades of experience at Peace Law Firm, we can help you properly time your case to ensure you get the greatest compensation possible.
Proving Your Case
Having the right evidence is critical to winning your case. A rear-end collision attorney can help you obtain the following:
- Witness testimony,
- Pictures,
- Medical records,
- Wage records,
- Recordings,
- Receipts and invoices, and
- Correspondence.
We have decades of experience handling car accident cases and know how to build a strong case using the right legal tools to obtain all types of evidence.
Contact Our Rear-End Collisions Attorney Today
You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a rear-end collision alone. Peace Law Firm is one of the top Greenville rear-end collisions lawyers. We have won millions of dollars in compensation for auto accident victims and are ready to help you. Let us help guide you through this challenging time so you can confidently move forward.