Columbia Car Accident Lawyers 

We've Recovered Millions for Our Clients

We all know how quickly our lives can change in one instant. Car crashes are a prime example of that. One second, you’re driving the I-26 and the next second, someone has crashed into you from behind. One moment you’re going through the I-20 and Broad River intersection in Columbia, and the next moment you’ve been hit on the driver’s side. 

Or maybe it’s a back road or suburban street where your vehicle was struck. No matter where it was or what the circumstances, your life has changed. Our Columbia, SC car accident lawyers can fight to get the fair settlement you need and deserve.

DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR A CAR ACCIDENT?

You may not think you need a car accident lawyer for your car crash in Columbia, SC, but car accidents are serious business. Insurance companies aggressively try to settle car accident cases quickly and cheaply, often leaving victims with inadequate financial recovery. A car accident lawyer can help by seeking the best possible outcome for your case while protecting your rights and ensuring that you get the full compensation you deserve.

Our auto accident attorneys understand the complex legal issues involved in car crashes, as well as South Carolina state law regarding auto accidents. We provide comprehensive knowledge and experience informing our approach to every case we handle. Our car accident attorneys will fight for your rights and make sure insurance adjusters do not take advantage of you after an auto accident.

WHAT DOES A SOUTH CAROLINA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY DO?

Car accident attorneys help car crash victims get the compensation they deserve. They do this by:

• Investigating car accidents to determine who is liable for damages and injuries
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Filing claims and lawsuits in court if necessary
• Representing you in civil court proceedings
• Advocating for your rights throughout the legal process.

If you’ve been injured in a crash, we have a car accident lawyer near you who can help ensure that your rights are protected. We have decades of experience fighting for car accident victims in Columbia, SC and we’re ready to fight for you.

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident

It’s in your best interest to contact a lawyer after a car accident as soon as possible. The first reason for this is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law which is implemented on a state level that allocates a specific amount of time for personal injury cases to be filed. Once this allotted time is up, injury victims will legally lose their right to file a claim and recover compensation.

 According to the South Carolina Code of Laws section 15-3-530 the state of South Carolina has a three-year timeline. This means you have three years from the date your accident occurred to file your claim. There are some exceptions to this law where the filing time may change, including:

• If the injury victim is a minor at the time of the accident
• If the injury victim is under a legal disability
• The negligent party left the state for a year or more before a claim could be filed

Beyond the statute of limitations, which applies to all personal injury claims, car accident injuries are unique in that they are very often soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries are injuries that affect the tendons, ligaments and muscles in the body. These injuries are less obvious when they are first inflicted and tend to progressively get worse over a few days or weeks after the injury occurred. 

Without knowing this, many injury victims sign a compensation agreement with an insurance company before talking to a lawyer only to discover later that their injuries are worse than they initially believed. Unfortunately, claimants are usually not eligible to recover additional compensation in these situations. If you have suffered injuries at the hands of a negligent driver, talk to our Columbia car accident attorney for help today! 

Mann Blake & Jackson has a demonstrated track record of winning settlements that have run higher than $50 million. From our Columbia office, we serve all of South Carolina. Call today at (803) 525-1645 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

What is Breach of Duty in a Car Crash?

Securing a settlement in any personal injury case requires demonstrating the four components of negligence

• Duty
• Breach
• Cause
• Damages 

While every case has its own unique dynamic, car accidents often bring the middle two components–duty and cause–to the forefront. The first component of duty simply means the defendant (the other driver) owed the plaintiff (the injured party) a duty of care. This duty exists for all drivers on public roads, so unless there are some extremely unusual circumstances, duty will be self-evident. Breach, on the other hand, is more vexed.

South Carolina does not expect people to be perfect in exercising their duty of care responsibilities. What’s required is that people act reasonably in doing so. Some accidents are just that—accidents, where no one is at fault. It’s the job of the Columbia, SC car accident attorney to prove that the defendant could have prevented the accident had they acted with reasonable care.

An Example of Reasonable Care

As an example, let’s consider a crash on the intersection at I-20 and Broad River. We’ll assume the plaintiff had the green light and were clearly in the right to proceed. The defendant crashed into them coming the other way.

But what if there were heavy rains that caused the defendant’s car to skid? The defendant–or, more precisely, the lawyers for the defendant’s insurance company–might well argue that the defendant was acting reasonably and that this was just an unfortunate accident.

Attorneys will dig into everything from police reports to witness statements in an attempt to get at what precautions the defendant driver took (or didn’t take). The actions of the injured plaintiff will also be examined. Given the weather conditions, were there any steps that might have been taken to reduce the odds of a crash?

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen because of multiple factors. Understanding the common causes can help raise awareness and promote safer driving practices. Here are some of the most frequent factors contributing to car accidents:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Drunk Driving
• Reckless Driving
• Fatigue
• Bad Weather Conditions
• Poorly Maintained Vehicles
• Running Stop Signs or Red Lights
• Inexperienced Drivers
• Tailgating

By staying attentive, following traffic rules, maintaining vehicles properly, and adapting to road conditions, drivers can help minimize the occurrence of accidents and make the roads safer for everyone.

How An Attorney Can Help You

Who decides which party is right? If opposing counsels can’t reach agreement, the answer is that a jury will decide. What each jury decides on reasonable care will depend on the disposition of the jurors and the quality of the arguments put forth by the lawyers. Having an attorney who has winning experience in court–as ours do–can be a valuable asset to any plaintiff.

If you have been injured, don't wait to get help. Contact our firm today for a free consultation!