Have You Been Involved in an Auto Accident?
Sooner or later, everyone is involved in an auto accident. Thankfully, most of these accidents do not involve great property damage or injuries. Regardless of the seriousness of the accident, the following are things you should do:
- Never leave the scene of an accident
- Be sure the police are called to the scene of the accident
The police will give you an FR10 that you will need to be turned into your insurance company. This will allow your insurance company to verify that you had insurance coverage on the vehicle involved in the accident on the date of the accident. Failure to have this verified by your insurance company could cause you to lose your drivers’ license, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. Be sure to take pictures of the accident scene, the damages to the cars, and any injuries that may be visible in a picture. Also, be sure to keep up with any losses you incur in property or wages.
Were You Injured in an Auto Accident?
If you were injured in the accident, there are two types of auto insurance that might be available to help with your bills:
- If you were not at fault, the at-fault driver’s liability coverage should cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- If the at-fault driver does not have insurance coverage, then your uninsured coverage will cover these same damages for you.
Either one of the insurance types listed above should not have any adverse effects on your insurance premiums. If the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance coverage, then your underinsurance coverage, if you have it, will supplement the at-fault driver’s coverage. Additionally, you may have a coverage known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or medical-payments coverage. This is a type of no-fault coverage that will cover your medical bills (and lost wages if PIP) regardless of who was at fault in the accident. If the other driver was at fault, you can still file a claim under PIP or medical-payments coverage in South Carolina.
If you were injured in an accident, some insurance companies will contact you soon after the accident and offer you some money for your pain and suffering in an effort to get you to sign a release. This should be avoided until you are confident you know the full extent of your injuries. Once a release is signed, the case cannot be reopened. There is no hurry to settle since most accidents have a three year statute of limitations in South Carolina. Most lawyers that handle auto accident cases, including this firm, will be glad to talk to you about your case at no charge for the initial consultation.
If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident, don’t hesitate to contact the law office of Hayes & Hayes, LLC today to get the representation you deserve.
What Types of Cases Does a Personal Injury Attorney Handle?
If you’ve been involved in any of the following situations, you should consult with an attorney. Call to see how Hayes & Hayes, LLC can help you.
Automobile Accidents
Even minor automobile accidents can cause lingering injuries. Don’t wait to seek compensation for what you’re going through.
Trucking Accidents
Your passenger vehicle is no match for a tractor-trailer, dump truck, log truck, or other large vehicles. Our accident lawyers will help you get justice for your injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists live by the rules of the road—but sometimes other motorists don’t. Talk to an attorney if you were hurt by someone else’s carelessness.
Premises Liability
Were you injured on someone else’s property as a result of an unsafe situation? You may be entitled to compensation.
Product Liability
Defective products are dangerous. You have rights if you were hurt by a flaw in the manufacturing or design of an object.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are quite common. If this happens to you, a lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.
Wrongful Death
You can’t put a price on losing someone you loved. However, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss.
Assaults
Assault cases often have long-lasting consequences. We’ll stand up for you to make sure your situation is taken seriously.
Trust Hayes & Hayes When You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
As many York County residents have learned, you need to have a caring and competent attorney by your side and ready to fight for you if an accident, negligent act, assault, or defective product has disrupted your life. Based on our experience, our personal injury attorneys know that after a serious injury or loss, most clients experience trauma and emotional distress in addition to financial loss.
Dealing with insurance companies, denials of liability, and insurance coverage issues can be extremely difficult and complex. We will battle on your behalf so you can begin the process of putting your life back together. The team at Hayes & Hayes, LLC is prepared to represent injured clients in a variety of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, defective products, and assaults or other negligent acts.
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