Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Our Irmo Car Accident Lawyer Represent You

Car Accidents are expensive and traumatic events. Injured men and women know they can make an insurance claim but often are unfamiliar with the process. Even worse, they find the insurance companies do not respond to their questions or provide inaccurate information. Call Hart Law to speak with an Irmo car accident attorney. We have years of experience negotiating settlements with insurers and taking other steps to protect our clients’ rights.

Familiar Accidents in Irmo

As a suburb of Columbia, Irmo sees a steady stream of traffic on most days, with residents heading into the city for work and coming home in the evening. Irmo also draws a crowd on the weekends. With so much traffic, accidents are a common sight on roads and in parking lots.

Hart Law can help anyone injured in a:

  • Rear end collision
  • Head-on collision
  • T-bone accident
  • Sideswipe
  • Rollover
  • Hit and run
  • Single vehicle accident
  • Drunk driving crash
  • Accident caused by an uninsured driver

Reach out to our firm after going to the hospital for treatment. We can discuss what next steps to take.

Negotiating a Settlement with an Insurance Company

South Carolina requires that motorists carry liability insurance. This coverage will pay benefits if the insured driver is at fault, usually because they drove negligently:

  • Speeding
  • Driving while distracted
  • Drowsy driving
  • Failing to merge
  • Tailgating
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving while intoxicated

Our Irmo car accident lawyer will assist with gathering evidence and submitting a claim to the relevant insurer. If the at-fault driver flees or is otherwise uninsured, we can negotiate with your own uninsured motorist insurer.

Successful negotiation requires full command of the evidence. You can help your case by taking pictures of the vehicles and calling the police at the scene. Also try to speak with witnesses if you are not too injured.

Roadblocks on the Way to Financial Recovery

Obtaining a fair settlement is hard work. Insurers do not readily agree to pay fair compensation, regardless of how badly you are hurt.

We might need to participate in mediation if negotiations reach a standstill. Mediation involves talking about the dispute with a trained mediator whose objective is to provide a neutral perspective on the disagreement. When successful, we can draft and sign a settlement agreement.

Another option is to file a lawsuit. At Hart Law, most of our cases settle. But we are prepared to file a lawsuit, where necessary. At trial, each side will present evidence to convince a jury to assign fault to the other side.

We can request compensation for:

  • Lost income or lost wages
  • Lost self-employment income
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage (including car repairs)

We might even include a demand for punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant for conduct that goes above and beyond mere negligence. Let’s talk about the dispute to find out how much your claim is worth.

The Importance of the Statute of Limitations

Under South Carolina law, a personal injury victim gets three years to file a lawsuit for compensation. (South Carolina Code § 15-3-530(5).) The law’s objective is to encourage injured parties to stand on their rights in a timely manner.

If you wait too long, then you will lose the ability to sue. That is a disastrous consequence. The negligent or reckless driver who hurt you gets to walk away without paying anything.

Our firm can file a lawsuit in the correct court if you reach out to us today. Filing a lawsuit strengthens your position in settlement negotiations and puts the defendant on notice that you mean business.

FAQs about Irmo Car Accidents

Is the driver who hit me at fault?

Usually. However, the legal analysis focuses on whether a driver was reasonably careful. It’s possible you hit someone who pulled directly in front of you. Failing to yield is negligent, so you might seek compensation even though you crashed into another vehicle.

What is the first step to take after an accident?

Check to see if everyone is okay and call an ambulance if anyone is badly injured. Always prioritize safety.

Can I receive compensation if I was speeding?

Possibly. Under the current law, you can receive compensation if your share of fault was not greater than the other side’s.

Arrange a Consultation with an Irmo Car Accident Lawyer

Even minor fender benders can cost motorists thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other losses. Do not sit silently. Instead, call Hart Law to schedule a free consultation with our car accident attorney.