Columbia Car Accident Lawyer

As one of the largest cities in South Carolina, Columbia is a major transportation hub. Given the steady stream of traffic, the city is no stranger to car accidents. These accidents often involve little more than scraped paint or dented bumpers. For major accidents, however, some drivers can suffer significant injuries. When injury accidents occur, a compassionate injury attorney could help the victim of the crash seek compensation from the responsible party.

If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash, you could pursue monetary compensation from the person that caused the accident. By filing an injury lawsuit, you could pursue damages for your medical bills, car repair costs, and more. Let a Columbia car accident lawyer help you through the legal process to get you the compensation you need.

Settling a Car Accident Claim

While most cases ultimately end in settlement, obtaining a fair resolution requires significant legwork for a plaintiff and their legal counsel. Many settlements occur early on in the process. When an attorney takes over a claim, they typically send the defendant or their insurance company a document known as a demand letter. A demand letter puts the defendant on notice that the plaintiff is seeking compensation for their damages. It typically includes an amount the plaintiffs are willing to resolve a claim for. While demand letters are often the catalyst for a successful settlement, not every claim is resolved at this stage.

Filing a Lawsuit

If the parties in a case cannot settle, it may become necessary for a car accident attorney to file suit. Before filing suit, the plaintiff must determine the responsible parties for the accident. While this typically involves suing the other driver, there are other parties that could also have played a role in causing the crash. These could include pedestrians, defective part manufacturers, or even local governments that fail to maintain Columbia’s roadways. After identifying the prospective defendants, it is time for a Columbia car accident attorney to file suit.

For the car accident lawsuit to be successful, the claimant’s attorney must be able to establish that the defendant in the case was responsible for the crash. This requires a plaintiff to demonstrate that the defendant was negligent.

Negligence can result from any careless, reckless, or intentional act. To recover on a claim for negligence in a car accident case, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care and that the duty of care was breached. All Columbia motorists owe each other a duty to drive carefully. Breaching this duty can involve any number of moving violations, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, or failing to yield the right of way.

Finally, the plaintiff must also establish that the injuries they suffered correspond to the defendant’s breach of their duty. A plaintiff can seek compensation for any damages linked to the defendant’s conduct.

Call a Columbia Car Accident Attorney As Soon As Possible

There are countless factors that go into resolving a car accident lawsuit. Negotiations can fall apart multiple times before a case is ultimately resolved. With the help of skilled legal counsel, you could see the negotiation process succeed before a lawsuit ever becomes necessary.

Whether a claim settles or goes to trial, your best chance at recovering compensation rests with the guidance of a Columbia car accident. Call today to schedule a consultation.