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    If you were injured in a South Carolina car accident, you may be struggling to figure out how to pay your medical bills, return to work, and recover from the shock of the crash. Dealing with your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurer while trying to recover can feel overwhelming. That’s where Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you. Founded in 1968, our award-winning team has decades of experience in personal injury law, and we’ve helped injured South Carolinians secure over half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for their injuries and other damages.

    Our goal is simple: to help you maximize your recovery in a car accident case. Whether it’s holding the at-fault driver accountable or dealing with unfair insurance adjusters, we work to build a strong case backed by evidence and skilled legal strategies.

    You don’t have to do this alone. Just Call Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers! We offer a free consultation, take the time to explain your legal options, and because of our No Fee Guarantee, there’s no risk to you. You’ll never owe us a legal fee unless we collect money for you. Call us at (888) 324-3100 today and let our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys help you take the next step toward recovery.

    Gather Evidence While It’s Still There

    The minutes after a car accident are critical. Your safety comes first. Move to a safe location and call the police.

    A lot of important evidence in a car accident case can be found only at the crash scene, and it is best obtained by a crash victim acting quickly. If you have been seriously injured in a car crash, you should seek immediate medical help. But, if you can, gather evidence at the scene of your wreck, such as:

    • Pictures of the cars involved and their damage, skid marks, debris, broken glass, property damage to road signs, guardrails, landscape, and any road defects or construction work that may have contributed to the accident.
    • Pictures of your injuries.
    • Video of a driver who appears to be impaired. (Be careful about approaching such a driver. Always remain polite and avoid confrontation after a car accident.)
    • Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver, but avoid discussing blame. If there are bystanders, collect their witness statements and phone numbers for future reference. These third-party accounts can support your claim and clarify who is at fault in cases of disagreement.
    • Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel hurt. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms right away. Early medical treatment not only protects your health but also connects your injuries directly to the crash.

    Every step you take helps support important evidence. These early actions affect your ability to seek compensation in the future.

    Building a Strong Personal Injury Case Depends on Evidence

    To successfully pursue a personal injury settlement, you need a clear link between the accident and your injuries, losses, and pain. A strong case includes several elements and there are many types of information that should be preserved as evidence as soon as possible after a car accident, including:

    • Police report. You usually need to report your car accident to police to file an insurance claim. You should ask the responding officer when and how the report will be available, and be sure to get it as soon as you can.
    • Medical records and receipts. Save everything connected to your injuries and recovery and the cost of all medical treatment, including receipts for prescription and over-the-counter mediation related to your injuries. These expenses are losses you want to be reimbursed for, and medical records will serve as evidence of the extent of your injuries.
    • Car maintenance records. These may demonstrate that the wreck was not caused by a failure of your vehicle, or in some cases be evidence that, in fact, a faulty product was a contributing factor in a car accident.
    • Work absence records. Part of the compensation you may seek in a claim is reimbursement for lost income due to your injuries. It’s important to document your past income and expected income during the time you are unable to work.

    Evidence that your car accident attorneys may obtain and preserve for you includes but is not limited to:

    • Cell phone records. Evidence that a driver was texting or talking on a cell phone could provide the basis for a distracted driving claim.
    • Calls to 911. A call to 911 may show what was happening just after an accident. A driver’s voice and demeanor in a 911 call could be evidence of drunk driving. A driver could admit responsibility for an accident in a frantic 911 call. Calls to 911 are preserved for a limited time, so they must be obtained quickly – another reason to contact a car accident lawyer ASAP after your accident.
    • Event data recorder (“black box” recorder). In certain models of passenger cars and trucks and in all large commercial trucks, an event data recorder (EDR) contains a variety of information about the vehicle’s speed, braking and steering prior to a crash.
    • Vehicle recall reports. The possibility of recalls on all vehicles and parts involved in the crash should be explored. If a vehicle or parts manufacturer is responsible for a malfunction or defect that played a role in the crash, they may be held accountable.
    • Surveillance footage. Municipalities, local businesses, or residences may have surveillance video available documenting the moments leading up to, during, and after the collision. Dash cams from the drivers involved or the vehicles of witnesses can also provide critical evidence proving exactly how a crash occurred.

    Joye Law Firm helps clients develop a comprehensive understanding of how a South Carolina car accident has impacted their lives. We don’t rely only on paperwork. We use day-in-the-life narratives, doctor input, expert testimony, medical illustrations, and financial documentation to explain what you’ve endured.

    It’s also important to show the extent of pain and suffering or mental anguish. These aren’t always visible but can be just as real. Our team will include these damages in your car accident case, helping to justify the need for a favorable settlement or court award.

    Handling Insurance Companies and Settlement Offers

    After an accident, it’s common for the insurance company, like USAA or State Farm, to offer a quick settlement. Don’t trust it. These early offers often fail to cover your full damages. They likely don’t account for your future medical costs or the time you’ll spend recovering. Insurance adjusters are trained to limit payouts. They may:

    • Downplay your injuries
    • Suggest prior conditions
    • Shift fault to you

    That’s why it’s dangerous to speak with them directly without a South Carolina car accident lawyer by your side.

    At Joye Law Firm, we protect you from lowball tactics. We carefully prepare your case, document every expense, and ensure that nothing is left out. We deal with both the other party’s insurance and your own insurance company, and we never push clients to settle quickly if it means sacrificing what you’re owed.

    We help you understand every offer, compare it to your current and future needs, and make smart decisions. Our job is to make sure you’re treated fairly and given the opportunity to recover what you’ve lost. Not only financially, but also personally.

    Here are some real-life examples of how we’ve been able to help clients just like you. While every case is unique and past results can’t guarantee a similar result in your case, they do illustrate our legal skills and ability to successfully settle even difficult cases:

    $265,000 Settlement
    Attorney Robert Howell turned a denied underinsured motorist (UIM) claim into a $265,000 recovery by challenging a legally invalid UIM rejection form from over a decade ago. His sharp legal strategy and deep knowledge of South Carolina insurance law uncovered retractive coverage and ensured his client received the compensation needed for current and future medical care.
    $1.93 Million Jury Verdict
    Joye Law Firm secured a $1.93 million jury verdict for Henry, a man who suffered life-altering neck injuries when a dump truck driver, who lacked a valid license, ran a red light and crashed into him. Despite knowing their driver was unlicensed, the Tree Service allowed him to operate a company vehicle, showing no remorse for their reckless decision. After Progressive offered just $250,000 to settle, Joye Law Firm took the case to trial. The jury awarded $1.13 million in actual damages and $800,000 in punitive damages, recognizing both Henry’s pain and the company’s blatant disregard for public safety.
    $130,000 Settlement
    Attorney John Aylor also secured $130,000 verdicts each for two friends injured in a rear-end crash on US-52 in St. Stephen. The men, who were hit while turning into a side street, suffered neck, back, knee, and shoulder injuries that required nearly a year of treatment. One passenger, who had a pre-existing disability, face extra scrutiny during trial, but Aylor successfully proved that the crash worsened his condition. Despite the at-fault driver admitting distraction and fault, her insurer lowballed both claims. Aylor rejected their offers and took the case to trial.

    The Importance of Ongoing Medical Care

    It’s not enough to visit a doctor once after your car accident and move on. To support your claim and maintain your health, it is essential to stay consistent with your medical treatment. This means attending every scheduled appointment, following through on referrals, and completing all assigned therapy sessions.

    Missing visits or ignoring doctor instructions gives the insurance company a reason to question how serious your injuries are. They might argue you’re not really hurt or that you made your injuries worse by not seeking care.

    We advise all our clients to keep detailed records, save receipts, and get written diagnoses from doctors. This not only benefits your health but also helps establish a timeline for your personal injury lawsuit. If your injury is long-lasting, we’ll work with medical experts to estimate future medical costs. This can include:Stressed man sits with head in hands, overwhelmed by emotional or mental distress in a dim room

    • Ongoing pain
    • Future surgeries
    • Extended physical therapy

    By staying on top of your care, you protect both your well-being and your right to fair compensation. It’s one of the best ways to help yourself and your personal injury lawyer win a strong case.

    We care about your health and your future. One of the benefits of working with Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers is access to our expansive network of doctors and other medical specialists who are willing to treat our clients without requiring up-front payments.

    Maximizing Recovery at Trial

    While the vast majority of injury cases settle outside of the courtroom, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This trial-ready approach ensures we’re always positioned to fight for the full value of your claim, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.

    If your case does go to trial, the judge or jury will decide first on the defendant’s liability and then on the amount of damages you should receive. Juries consider what is reasonable in light of the circumstances of the accident and the amount of losses you’ve sustained. The best way to maximize your car accident compensation in court is to have extensive evidence regarding how badly you were hurt and how much it cost you (physically, emotionally, and financially).

    By presenting compelling evidence of your injuries along with details about how your pain affects your day-to-day life, we can show a jury what a reasonable damage award would be in your case.

    Presenting evidence and expert opinions in court is very complicated, as there are specific procedural and evidentiary rules that must be followed. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you successfully make your case in court.

    FAQs About South Carolina Car Accidents

    Maximizing Recovery

    Will I have to go to court for my car accident case?

    Most cases settle outside of court, but if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, going to trial may be necessary. A lawyer can prepare your case from the start as if it might go to court, just in case.

    Can I get paid for lost work time if I’m self-employed?

    Yes. You can claim lost income even if you work for yourself. This might include missed client payments, contracts that couldn’t be completed, or time away from your business. Keep records, tax returns, and any communication that shows what you lost.

    What if I didn’t go to the hospital right after the crash?

    It’s still possible to file a claim, but delayed treatment can hurt your case. The longer you wait to get care, the easier it is for the insurance company to say your injuries weren’t from the accident. Always see a doctor as soon as you can.

    Can I handle my car accident case without a lawyer?

    You can try, but insurance companies often take advantage of people who don’t have legal help. They may offer you less than you deserve or deny your claim altogether. A lawyer helps protect your rights and builds a strong case for full compensation.

    Talk to Our South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys Today

    There’s no benefit in waiting. The longer you delay after a South Carolina car accident, the harder it becomes to find important evidence and secure witness testimonies. That’s why calling Joye Law Firm right away is one of the smartest moves you can make.

    Our firm has been helping injured individuals in South Carolina since 1968. We know how to manage the paperwork, push back on unfair insurance adjusters, and take legal pressure off your shoulders. We don’t charge anything unless we win or settle your case.

    Call (888) 324-3100 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who understands how to handle your car accident case. We’ll review your medical documents, investigate the fault, and explain your options clearly. With our guidance, you can move forward with confidence and pursue the favorable settlement you deserve.

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