If you lost a loved one in an Orangeburg, South Carolina, accident, you could be entitled to compensation. If someone else was responsible for your loved one’s accident, you may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim to recover medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
For more than two decades, Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers has helped South Carolina accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We have experience handling wrongful death claims and understand how difficult these cases can be for family members. Let our client-focused firm handle your case so your family can focus on grieving and healing after your loss.
Call today to at (803) 573-0869 to schedule a free case evaluation with an Orangeburg wrongful death lawyer.
How Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With an Orangeburg Wrongful Death Claim
Losing a loved one in an accident in Orangeburg, SC, is devastating and often brings financial hardship. Medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income can create a crisis during an already difficult time. If negligence caused the accident, you deserve full compensation—but insurance companies work hard to minimize claims. Their lawyers and adjusters aim to reduce payouts, so you need strong legal representation.
For over 25 years, Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers has fought for South Carolina accident victims, securing over $90 million in settlements. With 101+ years of combined experience, we handle all personal injury cases, including wrongful death, with a client-centered approach and exceptional service.
When you hire our team for a wrongful death case, we’ll:
- Investigate your loved one’s accident to identify all causes
- Gather evidence to prove who is liable
- Work with expert witnesses and specialists to strengthen your claim
- Calculate the fair value of your claim
- File a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company
- Negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel to demand a fair settlement
- If necessary, file a lawsuit and represent you in court
- Comply with all deadlines and handle all administrative tasks
- Keep you updated on the status of your case
Let our firm handle your claim so your family can focus on grieving and healing. Our Orangeburg personal injury attorneys take care of all aspects of your claim and fight to get the most compensation possible.
Contact us anytime, and we’ll get to work fighting for your family.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in South Carolina?
Unfortunately, fatal accidents are more common than most people realize. South Carolina is one of the states with the highest rates of fatal accidents in the country.
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that in 2022, there were 4,827 fatal accidents in South Carolina. U.S. Department of Transportation data reports that there were 1,084 fatal car accidents in South Carolina in 2022. Further, U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports show 132 fatal workplace accidents in 2022.
If you are one of thousands of South Carolina families impacted by fatal accidents every year, let our team help you hold the responsible party accountable.
What Is My Orangeburg Wrongful Death Claim Worth?
Given the financial hardships that families experience after a fatal accident, it’s not surprising that one of the first questions we get from new clients is, how much is my wrongful death case worth?
Wrongful death claims are a type of personal injury claim. Every personal injury case is unique, and the value of cases varies substantially based on the facts of each case. The best way to get an estimate of how much your case is worth is to meet with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A South Carolina injury attorney can evaluate your case and give you an idea of how much it’s worth.
The factors that have the biggest impact on a case’s value are:
- The facts of the accident
- The victim’s age and life expectancy
- The victim’s income and earning potential
- The family members the victim leaves behind
- The impact the loss has on surviving family members
It’s difficult to put a dollar value on the life of a loved one. That said, our team understands that your family deserves to be compensated for your loss and needs to get adequate compensation to cover current and future expenses.
Our team of experienced injury attorneys will review evidence and consult with experts to accurately calculate the value of your claim. Contact our team to learn how much your wrongful death claim is worth.
What Damages Can Family Members Recover in a South Carolina Wrongful Death Case?
Under the South Carolina wrongful death statute, the victim’s spouse, children, or parents may bring a wrongful death claim to recover damages after a fatal accident. Wrongful death claims are similar to other personal injury cases, and the family can seek compensatory damages from the responsible party.
Compensatory damages are used to provide compensation for all losses incurred because of an accident. There are two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages compensate family members for tangible financial losses, like medical bills. Non-economic damages compensate family members for intangible, personal losses, like pain and suffering.
Types of compensatory damages commonly awarded in South Carolina wrongful death cases are:
- Medical expenses from the date of the accident to the date of your loved one’s death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income and lost earning potential
- Lost support and services
- Loss of parental instruction, guidance, and companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Decreased quality of life
In some cases, punitive damages are also available. Punitive damages are not commonly awarded in personal injury cases. They are only available when there’s clear and convincing evidence that the responsible party’s conduct was grossly negligent, reckless, or willful.
Our team will evaluate your case and identify all types of damages you’re entitled to. Then, we’ll gather evidence and build a strong case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Orangeburg personal injury lawyer today to get started.
Can I Recover Damages if My Loved One Is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Orangeburg, SC?
It’s common for liable parties or their insurance companies to blame victims for their accidents. This is a strategy used by insurance companies to minimize the value of claims or avoid liability.
Under South Carolina’s comparative negligence laws, accident victims who are partially responsible for an accident can still recover damages as long as they’re not more than 50% at fault for an accident.
As long as your family member is found to be 50% or less responsible for an accident, you can still recover damages. However, your damages will be reduced by the proportion of your loved one’s fault. For example, if your loved one was 50% responsible for an accident, you’re only entitled to recover 50% of your damages.
Don’t be surprised if the responsible party tries to blame your loved one after an accident. Our team is used to this tactic and will defend your family member against these claims. We’ll fight hard to ensure your family’s rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.
What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in South Carolina?
Many different factors cause fatal accidents in Orangeburg. If someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct caused your loved one’s accident, you could be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim to recover all of your losses.
Our team handles all types of wrongful death cases. Some of the most common causes of fatal accidents in South Carolina are:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
We have experience handling fatal accident claims. We’ll investigate your loved one’s death and identify all causes. We’ll determine all parties responsible and ensure each liable party is held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years. Family members have three years from the death of a loved one to bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
After this period, family members have no right to recover. If you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, it will be dismissed. To ensure your rights are protected, contact a South Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your loved one’s death.
Contact an Orangeburg Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you lost a loved one in an Orangeburg, South Carolina, accident, Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers can help. Our experienced team can help your family navigate a difficult time. We’ll handle your claim and fight to get the most compensation possible. Call us today, contact us online, or visit our Orangeburg personal injury office to schedule a free case evaluation with an Orangeburg wrongful death lawyer.
