Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
Answer you can trust from Lexington personal injury lawyers
After your car accident, you likely have a lot of questions. Knowing where to find accurate information can often be a challenge. That’s why our experienced Lexington car accident attorneys at Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law created this page.
Our attorneys want to provide you with the facts. That way, you can make informed decisions about what to do next. We acquired our knowledge based on years of experience dealing with car accidents. We understand the laws that apply to South Carolina car accidents. We know how the legal system works, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Get the facts after your car accident. Get Johnson + Johnson.
Below, you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about car accidents. Please be aware that these questions are simply general guidelines for what to do after a car accident and should not be taken as legal advice. Every car accident is different and has its own unique circumstances.
If you have a specific question about your accident, please contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation. One of our experienced Lexington car accident lawyers can review the details of your accident with you and answer any questions you may have about your accident.
You’ll notice the difference the first time you meet with us. We take the time to find out what happened to you. We work this way because our lawyers – brothers Kevin and Steven Johnson – were born and raised in Lexington. To us, you’re more than just a client. You’re family.
Johnson + Johnson – a new class of attorney you can count on when it matters most.
What is your car accident question?
- Should I contact the police after my car accident?
- Should I seek medical attention after my car crash?
- Should I contact my insurance company after my car accident?
- Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after my car accident?
- Should I accept a settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company?
- How much is my car accident worth?
- What can I be compensated for after my car accident?
- Can I ask for more money in the future for my car accident?
- What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company denies my accident claim?
- Can I file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver after my car accident?
- How much time do I have to take legal action after my car accident in South Carolina?
- Why should I hire a car accident lawyer in South Carolina?
Should I contact the police after my car accident?
Yes. Contact the police after your South Carolina car accident. Having the police respond to your accident can be very important for many different reasons. First and foremost, there will be an official record of exactly what happened so there’s no second guessing later. Insurance companies often carefully analyze accident reports when determining who was responsible for an accident and how much to compensate accident victims.
Should I seek medical attention after my car crash?
Yes. Even if you feel fine, you could have a serious, internal, life-threatening injury. That’s why it’s important to have a medical professional examine you right away. Having an official medical record of your injuries can also often help you obtain the financial compensation you need and deserve for your accident-related expenses.
Should I contact my insurance company after my car accident?
Yes, but keep your comments brief. Simply tell your insurance company you have been in a car accident caused by another driver. Until the investigation of your car accident is complete, it’s always best to be cautious when dealing with insurance companies, including your own. Insurance companies often only care about one thing after a serious car accident – paying injury victims as little as possible.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after my car accident?
No. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, do not talk to them. Even if their questions seem innocent, they’re often simply fishing for information to reduce or deny your accident claim.
Should I accept a settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company?
Always be skeptical if insurance companies offer you money. If the other driver’s insurance company makes a settlement offer, we can help you review the details of their proposal. Often, insurance companies make lowball settlement offers soon after a car accident. They do so since they know many people will accept these offers before they know the full financial impact of their accident. That’s because once you agree to accept a settlement offer, you often cannot go back and ask for more money in the future – even if you need it for accident-related expenses.
How much is my car accident worth?
There’s no set dollar amount. Some car accidents might be worth a few thousand dollars. Other accidents may be worth millions. That’s why it’s important to talk with an attorney who can review the details of your case and help provide an accurate assessment of your accident-related expenses.
What can I be compensated for after my car accident?
The reality is you can and should be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses, and not just now. It depends on the facts of your case. Your financial compensation should also cover all future expenses due to your accident. These expenses can include:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgical operations
- Replacement income during recovery
- Follow-up medical care
- Physical therapy
- In-home medical care
- Lost future income due to permanent disability
- Home modifications due to permanent disability
Can I ask for more money in the future for my car accident?
In most cases, when you agree to accept a settlement offer for your car accident, that is the only money you will receive for your crash. That’s why it’s important that you carefully consider any settlement offer before agreeing to accept the money. Otherwise, you might have to pay for some of your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket.
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company denies my accident claim?
Don’t respond to them. Simply contact our law firm. We know how to deal with insurance companies and negotiate with them. If they refuse to cooperate, we can file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf. We’re serious about helping people after their car accident. We want to help you demand the financial compensation and respect you deserve.
Can I file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver after my car accident?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver after your car accident, and typically their insurance company will defend them. In many cases, taking legal action may be the best and most effective way to get the compensation you deserve for your accident. We can discuss your legal options with you when you meet with us. Suing to collect from the insurance company representing the driver who caused your crash may be one of the options you may want to seriously consider.
How much time do I have to take legal action after my car accident in South Carolina?
The deadline for taking legal action after a car accident in South Carolina is three years in many cases, but not always. This deadline – known as the statute of limitations – might seem like a long time, but the reality is, the sooner you take legal action, the better in many cases. That’s because the evidence you need to build a strong case can disappear over time. Witnesses move away. Memories fade. Physical evidence gets destroyed or lost. Without these important details, you might have a very hard time building a successful legal case.
Why should I hire a car accident lawyer in South Carolina?
There are so many reasons why you should hire an attorney to represent you after your car accident. In general, the main reason why is your lawyer can make sure your accident gets the attention it rightfully deserves. As your attorney, we can:
- Make sure your official accident report is accurate
- Help you fill out any forms related to your accident
- Conduct our own independent investigation of your crash
- Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement offer with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit or take other legal action on your behalf
Get the respect and results your deserve. Get Johnson + Johnson. We’re serious about winning.