An accident can have a negative impact not only on the victim’s health but also on their financial stability. Lost work days, medical expenses, and job security can have an adverse effect on someone’s finances.
A car collision, a slip and fall at a commercial property, or a pedestrian accident in one of North Charleston’s busy development corridors can inflict a life-altering injury on a victim. The financial burden on a household after this type of event can be significant, even after a hospital visit is over.
Accident victims can turn to Shelly Leeke injury compensation in North Charleston for help in understanding their legal rights, negotiating with insurers, and advocating for maximum compensation.
Why Serious Injuries Can Create Long-Term Financial Strain
A person may be enjoying a normal day when an accident occurs, disrupting their life in the blink of an eye. The aftermath can be extremely difficult to navigate as they deal with getting emergency medical help. Medical expenses after an accident may include ambulance transportation, an ER visit, imaging, and possible surgical costs. These bills often arrive before there is an insurance settlement.
There are often follow-up treatment expenses to consider, too. After a victim leaves the hospital, they may face rehabilitation, physical therapy, specialist consultations, and prescriptions for long-term pain management that they may have to continue to take for years. In worst-case scenarios where traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries occur, a victim may face years of ongoing care.
These additional medical expenses adversely affect household budgets, consume savings, detrimentally affect credit, and cause disruptions to expenses like childcare and more.
Injuries can lead to loss of income from work. This can be temporary or, if the injury results in long-term disability, permanent. Even if a person is self-employed, their income may be impacted if the injuries prevent them from working.
What many people don’t immediately realize after an accident is that they might face career setbacks, loss of work, financial strain, and more, all while struggling to heal from their injuries.
In South Carolina in 2023, fatal and serious traffic collisions caused nearly $30 billion in quality-of-life and economic costs.
Understanding How Injury Compensation Works in North Charleston
South Carolina has a fault-based liability system where the insurance of the person responsible for the accident is liable for damages. The injured person has to prove the other party’s negligence and that they’re responsible for the injuries incurred.
There are also modified comparative negligence rules in the state of South Carolina. As long as the injured victim isn’t more than 51% at fault for the accident, they can recover damages. A personal injury lawyer has experience investigating accidents, establishing fault, and arguing this type of case. Accident reports, medical records, photographs, video, and witness statements are collected and evaluated to build a case.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm website stresses the importance of gathering evidence, saying, “We’ll gather all available evidence from the accident to understand what occurred during and even leading up to the incident.”
There are two types of damages that a person can sue for: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are lost wages, medical bills, property damage, rehabilitation bills, and future medical care expenses. Non-economic damages cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and scarring and disfigurement.
A personal injury attorney negotiates with insurers to ensure that the injured person receives the maximum compensation. If a settlement can’t be reached, the attorney will then argue the case in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of compensation may be available after a serious injury in North Charleston?
Compensation is based on economic and non-economic damages established by documentation gathered by the personal injury attorney.
How does South Carolina determine fault in personal injury cases?
South Carolina has a fault-based system, meaning the person responsible for the accident is liable for the damages that are incurred.
Why is documentation important after an accident?
Documentation is essential to building a case, proving fault, and also establishing economic and non-economic damages.
