Greenville South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys
Being Injured in An Accident Can Make You Feel Helpless. Let Our Greenville Car Accident Lawyers Help You.
We all try our best to avoid car accidents, but they can still happen anytime. When you suffer an injury from a crash, it’s easy to feel helpless. Dealing with insurance companies and extensive paperwork can quickly become overwhelming as you try to take the proper steps toward recovery. Insurance companies say they want to help you, but this claim is misleading. Victims of accidents are often taken advantage of by insurance companies who try to pay out as little as possible, making an already difficult situation even worse.
Getting the maximum compensation you need after an accident doesn’t have to be a challenge. When you have a Greenville car accident lawyer in your corner that can help you obtain the compensation you and your family need to move forward, it can make a tremendous difference. We understand that the immediate aftermath of a car crash can be very stressful, and we are here to help you in any way possible. At Grimes Teich Anderson, our team of Greenville car accident lawyers has extensive experience in successfully handling complicated car accident cases. We strive to obtain fair compensation for those injured in a crash due to someone else's negligence.
Decades of Combined Experience Serving Greenville, South Carolina
As South Carolinians and Greenville residents, we strive to help our fellow neighbors in their time of need. We take pride in our dedication to ensuring the health and safety of our community. By treating each car accident case like we would our own, we provide our clients peace of mind while we work hard to recover the compensation they need to return to their everyday life in the beautiful city of Greenville. If you need help after an accident, contact our Greenville car accident lawyers by calling 800-533-6845Â or submitting a free case evaluation form on our site.
Our Greenville, SC Office Location: 111 E North St. Greenville, SC 29601
How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take in South Carolina?
Various factors play into how long it takes to calculate and settle an accident claim in South Carolina, so there is no average time for a settlement. Every car accident case is different, and the time it takes to receive a settlement can range from a couple of weeks to several months or years.
Some of the most critical factors that affect a settlement process include:
- Questioning of liability. Proving negligence and establishing liability could be a complicated and lengthy process, especially if both parties contributed to the accident.
- Eyewitness accounts. This process could take months or more to execute, from exchanging information with witnesses to coordinating interviews for their accounts.
- Recovery time for your injuries. You can only know how much your medical bills and future medical care are worth once you fully recover. By then, you will also better understand the impact of your injuries and what compensation you need for lost income.
- Insurance companies being slow to settle. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to delay paying out settlements. In addition, they may take a long time to investigate your case, looking for any information or lack thereof to hold against you.
We Handle All Types of Accident Cases
Some car accident victims bounce back quickly, while others may require a lifetime of care. Regardless of whether a car accident is caused by the negligence or recklessness of another driver, a motor vehicle manufacturer, or any other entity, the victim may be entitled to substantial financial compensation, and our team is here to help.
For over 40 years, our car accident attorneys have helped the people of South Carolina to receive the money they need to recover from an accident. We are dedicated to our clients and work tirelessly to ensure they receive the highest recovery award possible to help them now and in the future.
We have experience dealing with various types of car accident cases, which include:
- Head-On Collisions
- T-Bone Collisions
- Rear-End Collisions
- Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Driver Fatigue Accidents
- Hydroplaning Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Failure to Yield Accidents
- Tailgating Crashes
- Impaired Driving Crashes
- Tractor-Trailer Accidents
How to Obtain an Accident Report in South Carolina
If you are involved in a car accident in South Carolina, you can obtain the accident report online, in person, or by mail.
To request an accident report online, visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle's site. Here, you must verify your identity and enter information identifying the accident.
To receive an accident report in person, you must complete the Request for Copy Collision Report (SCDMV Form FR-50), including as much information as possible, and print it out. There will be two pages because the SCDMV wants two copies of your request. Although the data will automatically populate on the second page, your signature will not. Therefore, make sure to sign both pages after printing. Finally, you must take your completed request form to any SCDMV branch office and pay the $6 research fee with cash, credit/debit card, check, or money order.
For an accident report by mail, fill out both forms with as much detail as possible, then mail both forms, along with a check or money order of $6, made out to the SCDMV at the following address:
SCDMV
Titles Mail-in Unit FR-50
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0050
Those requesting a form via mail are not permitted to pay with cash.
What Do The Codes Mean On a South Carolina Accident Report?
Reading and understanding a South Carolina accident report following a collision is crucial to identify errors or omissions.
When reading an accident report, you must be able to identify:
- The incident number. The incident number in the upper left corner of the police report identifies your car accident case.
- Location information. This section at the top of the first page includes details on where the accident occurred (including lane information and which direction the vehicles were traveling).
- Personal information. This is found below the location information and includes the personal information of the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved in the accident. It also indicates if the police officer suspected a person was speeding or contributed to the accident.
- Accident description. This section describes the accident and may include a diagram or drawing.
- Police officer information. Here, you will find the officer’s name, badge number, and rank.
- Injury information. The top of the second page describes the condition of all parties involved in the accident. This can range from uninjured to fatal. It also has fields detailing whether a seat belt was used, an airbag deployed, a person was ejected from the vehicle, and if they were hospitalized. Again, this is based on the officer’s observations; it’s possible for a person to be injured but not show signs until later, which is why it’s essential to seek medical treatment after an accident even if you “feel fine.”
- The sequence of events. Located below the injury information, the series of events describes the timeline of the accident as the officer understands it based on evidence and witness reports at the scene. If this information is inaccurate or not as you remembered it, your insurance company could use this to deny you compensation.
- Presence of alcohol or drugs. This is where the police officer notes the presence of alcohol or drugs through a sobriety or breath test.
- Contributing factors. This can help to determine fault in the accident and is a vital part of the accident report. The police officer can use this field to describe causes or forms of negligence, such as failure to yield, distracted driving, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
- Vehicle defects. At the bottom of the second page of the report is a field where the officer can describe any vehicle defects in the accident.
How Much Time Do I Have to File A Claim After An Accident in Greenville, SC?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Greenville, South Carolina. Special circumstances can shorten that time, for example, when the at-fault party is associated with the government. It's ideal to begin your injury claim as soon as possible after an accident so that your lawyer can talk with the insurance company on your behalf and gather evidence to defend your claim.
Important Steps to Take After a Car Accident in South Carolina
Following an accident, there are some things you may do to preserve your rights to compensation—and some things you should avoid doing at all costs.
- Gather information from the other party involved:Â Although you'll seek compensation through your insurance company initially, you'll still need the other party's insurance information.
- Report the accident to the police:Â Having a police report is crucial evidence for your car accident claim.
- Take pictures of the vehicles and accident scene:Â If there is a question of fault later on, photographic evidence of the collision can be helpful.
- Record your injuries:Â It is recommended to take photos of any injuries that occurred hours, days, and weeks after the accident. Keeping a journal can help you monitor the changes in your symptoms over time and their impact on your daily life.
- Visit a doctor:Â It's possible to underestimate the severity of your injuries for a period of time following an accident due to shock. If you experience any physical issues as a result of the incident, it's important to seek medical attention promptly so that your injuries can be recorded and treated accordingly. Failing to do so or delaying treatment could be used against you.
- Let a lawyer do the talking: Your insurance company, unfortunately, does not always have your best interests in mind. Sometimes, they may exploit policyholders who aren't familiar with insurance or personal injury law. That's why it's crucial to hire an attorney who will fight for your rights and work towards achieving the best possible outcome for you.
What If I Share Fault For The Accident?
Each state has its own method of determining responsibility and distributing compensation for damages after a car accident. South Carolina follows the modified comparative negligence rules in assigning fault, meaning that a plaintiff is eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit if they are less than 51% responsible for an accident. However, the amount of fault the plaintiff shares reduces the number of damages they can recover. It allows a plaintiff to recover damages in proportion to the percentage they were at fault. So, if they were 20% at fault in an accident in Greenville, South Carolina, they could recover 80% in damages. These rules are complicated, so it's advisable to seek advice from a lawyer regarding how the court implements them.
Proudly Serving Greenville, South Carolina Car Accident Victims
You reserve the right to file a personal injury claim if you were injured in a car accident due to another person’s negligence. This could provide you with vital compensation that covers your medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and more. However, the process of attaining compensation could be overwhelming to navigate alone. That’s where the car accident lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson step in.
Our team works with skilled investigators and case managers to examine your case and determine the complete magnitude of your damages, ensuring that you receive fair compensation. It can be costly to blindly accept a settlement from your insurance company or attempt to negotiate with an adjuster without the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. Our Greenville car accident lawyers have successfully resolved thousands of auto accident claims and lawsuits, and our results speak for themselves.
If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident near Greenville, South Carolina, contact a car accident lawyer at Grimes Teich Anderson today by calling 800-533-6845 or completing our case evaluation form online for a free legal consultation.
We have multiple locations in the Carolinas to serve you
Grimes Teich Anderson offers free injury consultations and can get started on your case electronically.
ASHEVILLE OFFICE
535 College St,
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 251-0800
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
FRANKLIN OFFICE
244 Porter St Suite D,
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 564-2488
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
RUTHERFORDTON OFFICE
117 Laurel Dr,
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-1033
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
SPRUCE PINE OFFICE
12474 NC-226,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-7700
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
WAYNESVILLE OFFICE
385 N Haywood St,
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-7888
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
GREENVILLE OFFICE
111 E North St,
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 421-0770
Fax: (877) 518-0107
*Each case is different, so not all information on this website, as well as some which may not be provided, will apply to every case. Because the facts and relevant laws are different from case to case, Grimes Teich Anderson does not guarantee that the outcome, results, or experiences with one lawyer or one case will be similar to another.
Except for Employment Law Cases, Attorney's fees are a percentage of the entire recovery and will be deducted before other expenses. In addition to the fee in these cases, Client will be responsible for litigation expenses, which will either be deducted from the recovery or paid by the client. Some Employment Law Cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis and others handled on an hourly basis, where the client is billed for the hours spent on the case. Based on our experience, we will advise you of the most appropriate fee arrangement in Employment Law cases.
Material on this website is for information purposes and is not legal advice.