Best Consumer Protection Lawyers in Columbia, SC

Most wrecks are a result of careless and illegal driving habits such as ignoring traffic signs and signals, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, and improper turning. These driving behaviors can result in collisions, injuries, and fatalities. Although there is no surefire way to avoid a car accident, obeying traffic laws and practicing good driving habits can certainly help. Filing a car accident claim A car accident, especially a severe one, can have a significant impact on your life, leaving you physically injured and in emotional distress. The financial impact of a car accident can be immense. You may be left with substantial medical bills, prescription costs, and you may be unable to work. If you were injured in a car wreck due to the negligence of another driver, you should file a claim to recover compensation for your damages. However, because every state has different laws pertaining to recovering damages after an accident, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accident claims in South Carolina.

Compensation is designed to restore you to the condition you were in before the accident. Therefore, a damages award should cover expenses such as medical bills, future medical treatment, vehicle damage, and make up for wages lost while you are unable to work. In addition, the law entitles you to a subjective level of compensation for your pain and suffering. No amount of money can restore your health or take away pain and suffering, but accident victims in South Carolina generally receive additional monetary compensation for these intangible losses because there is no other available remedy. An award of compensation also usually includes money to provide for future needs such as additional medical care and to offset any anticipated wage losses if the accident impacted your ability to work.

Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and serve the purpose of punishing the at fault party, deterring similar conduct in the future, and vindicating the rights of the injured party. In a case of simple negligence, punitive damages are not allowable. However, if the at fault party was acting grossly negligent, reckless, or intentionally, punitive damages can be awarded by the jury, up to certain constitutional limits. The most common example of cases that warrant punitive damages is when an at fault driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.