Many accidents result in injuries that require time away from work during recovery. Those injured may need several medical treatments, hospital stays or surgeries. While medical costs rise, income disappears. This combination often produces severe financial strain.
If you suffered an injury through an accident caused by someone else, you may qualify to seek compensation for your damages. The Jeffcoat Firm explains.
What Kinds of Accidents Qualify for Damages?
Most personal injury claims are eligible for various damages, depending on the circumstances involved. Personal injury accidents include:
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident someone else caused, contact an attorney from The Jeffcoat Firm to see if you qualify to seek compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available?
Accidents and resulting injuries differ, but victims in South Carolina may be eligible to receive three kinds of compensation. There is no such thing as an average settlement amount, but your Jeffcoat Firm attorney can tell you how much your case is worth during your free case evaluation.
Economic Damages
Many victims face assorted expenses resulting from accidents. Economic damages reimburse you for qualifying costs, such as:
- Medical expenses: treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, therapy, medications and necessary medical equipment
- Lost wages: the income you lose during the recovery period and attending to accident-related business, such as doctor or legal appointments
- Replacement services: costs for qualifying services, such as hiring caregivers
- Property damage: repair or replacement costs to your vehicle (if applicable) and personal property damaged in the accident
Although insurance companies should pay these expenses for valid claims, they often try to minimize payouts. For instance, you may qualify to seek compensation for both current and future medical expenses and lost wages, but it’s unlikely you’ll receive future damages without asking.
You should keep your invoices and receipts for current charges, and your attorney can calculate future expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all wounds are tangible, but they can still severely impact your life. Non-economic damages compensate for these intangible injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Losing the ability to enjoy life
- Anxiety, depression and PTSD
- Damage to personal relationships
These wounds are not quantifiable, so compensation amounts depend on how significantly they affect your life. Insurance companies rarely volunteer to pay these damages; in fact, they may question or deny the validity of your claim.
Punitive Damages
Few cases qualify for punitive damages. You must present clear and convincing evidence that the responsible party was guilty of willful, wanton or reckless conduct in causing your accident. Ask your car accident lawyer if you are eligible to seek punitive damages.
Don’t Insurance Companies Pay Claims Fairly?
Insurance companies have an obligation to pay valid claims, but that doesn’t mean they will voluntarily pay as much as your case is worth. Many carriers routinely try to convince claimants to accept low settlements. Once you accept an offer, you can’t go back for more if your expenses rise or adverse effects worsen.
You have the right to reject a settlement offer and negotiate a more favorable outcome. You can attempt to take on the insurance companies on your own, but hiring an attorney from The Jeffcoat Firm will likely dramatically increase the amount you obtain.
We will use our resources, knowledge of applicable laws, experience, and negotiating skills to fight for your right to fair compensation. If insurance companies don’t cooperate, we will take your case to trial.
How Can an Attorney Help?
The Jeffcoat Firm handles many tasks for our clients to ease their stress and work toward the success of their cases. We will:
- Provide legal advice
- Handle administrative tasks
- Investigate your accident, gathering evidence to support your claim
- Speak to insurance company representatives on your behalf
- Fight to protect your interests and obtain the highest possible compensation
Yes, we can help you recover eligible medical expenses and lost wages; we can also do so much more at no risk to you.
Why Choose The Jeffcoat Firm?
As a highly-rated personal injury firm, we have a proven track record of success. We treat clients with respect while striving to provide efficient, aggressive, ethical and honest legal representation. Let us handle the legal legwork so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
You won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win a monetary award for you. Request your free case evaluation 24/7, and let us tell you how we can help. Call (803) 200-2000, use live chat or submit our case consultation request form today. Your free case review is 100% obligation free.
