Car accidents can be traumatic. If you were injured in a collision in Landrum, a Landrum personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation.
Between mounting medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage, the aftermath of a car crash can be overwhelming. An experienced Landrum car accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can protect your interests and help pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Why Immediate Legal Guidance Matters
After a car accident, it’s natural to feel unsure about what steps to take next. While insurance companies may contact you quickly, accepting an early settlement can often result in you receiving less than you deserve. A car accident lawyer in Landrum can step in right away to:
- Evaluate the full extent of your injuries and damages
- Advise you on the proper way to document the accident
- Communicate with insurers so you aren’t pressured into an unfair settlement
- Push back against claims that you were at fault
Timely legal guidance increases your likelihood of recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Most Common Accident Scenarios in Landrum
Certain types of car accidents occur more frequently in Landrum due to local traffic patterns, rural highways, and weather conditions. Common scenarios include:
- Rear-end collisions: These happen when one vehicle hits the back of another, often because a driver was distracted or following too closely.
- Intersection accidents: These occur when drivers fail to yield, run red lights, or misjudge other vehicles at busy intersections.
- Single-vehicle accidents: These involve a driver losing control of their car due to wet roads, sharp curves, or unexpected obstacles.
- Head-on collisions: These take place when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, often on narrow two-lane highways or during unsafe passing maneuvers.
How Fault is Determined in South Carolina
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which affects how much compensation you can recover for a car crash in these ways:
- You can recover damages only if you are less than 51% at fault.
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. (For example, if your damages are $100,000 but you are 20% at fault, your payout would be $80,000.)
A car accident attorney in Landrum can help gather evidence that proves the other party’s negligence and maximizes your recovery.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Taking the right actions immediately after a collision can strengthen your case. Here’s what you should do:
- Report the accident: Call the police and file an accident report.
- Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and injuries. If any witnesses are present, collect their contact information.
- Seek medical attention: Document all of your injuries, even if they appear minor.
- Avoid giving statements to insurers: Anything you say may be used to reduce your claim.
- Contact a lawyer: Reach out to our car accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue
After a car accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, such as:
- Medical expenses: You can recover damages for hospital visits, surgeries, therapy, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: You can claim income you lost during your recovery.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and personal property damaged in the crash.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek damages for the physical and emotional pain caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue compensation if your ability to engage in hobbies or daily activities is limited.
Common Challenges After a Car Accident
Accidents often bring more complications than just injuries. Some of the challenges victims face include:
- Dealing with medical treatment: Coordinating care, managing appointments, and handling bills can be overwhelming.
- Transportation issues: Losing access to your vehicle can affect your daily routine, including work and family responsibilities.
- Emotional stress: Anxiety, depression, or PTSD can follow a traumatic accident.
- Financial strain: Lost income, deductibles, and repair costs can create immediate and long-term financial pressure.
A lawyer can help you obtain damages for all of the losses you incur due to the accident.
Tips for Preventing Future Accidents
While you can’t control other drivers, there are steps you can take to reduce your own risk of a crash on the road, such as:
- Drive defensively: Maintain safe distances, anticipate hazards, and follow traffic rules.
- Avoid distractions: Keep your focus on the road and avoid using your phone or GPS.
- Maintain your vehicle: Regularly check your car’s brakes, tires, lights, and signals.
- Adjust for weather conditions: Slow down in rain, fog, or icy conditions and increase your following distance.
- Plan routes ahead: Familiarize yourself with intersections and areas prone to traffic accidents before hitting the road.
Get Help from a Car Accident Lawyer in Landrum
Car accidents in Landrum can disrupt your life in unexpected ways. If you were injured in one, a Landrum car accident attorney from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can defend your rights, negotiate with insurers, and fight to secure the financial compensation you are owed.
Book a free case review to find out how you can get justice for your accident.