Greenville Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. According to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Highway Statistics 2022 release, there were 4,091,650 licensed drivers in South Carolina and 235,086,153 licensed drivers across the United States in 2022. Not all drivers operate their vehicles with reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others. If you were seriously injured in a car accident in Greenville, you may need a skilled car accident attorney to help you recover full and fair compensation for your losses.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney. We are here to provide the comprehensive legal services, support, and representation you need.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

The actions you take right after a car accident can significantly affect the outcome of any injury claims or lawsuits you file to seek compensation for your losses.

• Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine or only have minor symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention right away. Prompt medical care and medical treatment are essential for documenting your injuries, especially in cases of serious injuries such as life-threatening injuries or broken bones. This ensures you receive the appropriate care and helps support your insurance and legal claims.
• Contact our attorneys for help. You could increase your chances of recovering the money you need if you contact our experienced attorneys as soon as possible. Navigating the insurance process and managing a significant injury can be challenging. Before you discuss your situation with anyone, talk to a car accident attorney at our law firm about your rights and legal options for recovering compensation.
• Keep a paper trail. Maintaining a paper trail of your bills and post-accident expenses can help your attorney determine the full value of your claim and prevent you from being shortchanged by the insurance company. Keep all medical bills, receipts, and other documentation of your expenses related to the accident. Record the time you’ve missed from work due to your injuries and provide your attorney with pay stubs or income statements to help them evaluate your lost wages.

Note: Many car accident victims experience chronic pain following their injuries and may require physical therapy as part of their recovery. Additionally, emotional distress is a common consequence of car accidents and should be documented for potential compensation.

How Is Liability Determined in Car Accidents?

South Carolina follows a fault-based system for determining who is liable for a car wreck. Identifying the liable driver and proving someone else’s negligence are crucial steps in establishing responsibility for the accident. Following an accident, you typically file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation for your injuries, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses. In some cases, you may file a claim with your insurer, such as when pursuing uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Additionally, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or other responsible parties.

After a car accident in Greenville or anywhere in South Carolina, you have the option to:

• File a claim with your own insurance company, which may recover costs from the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
• File a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
• Bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver at fault for your injuries and damages.

Pursuing the money you need depends on establishing another party’s liability for the crash. This requires substantial evidence showing that the other driver’s actions were responsible for causing the accident, making them legally liable for compensating you. Important evidence includes:

• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Photographs and videos of the accident scene
• Your medical records
• Documentation of the injuries sustained
• Any other supporting documentation

It is crucial to document the injuries sustained and prove the full extent of your damages to support your claim and maximize your potential compensation.

If you need to access your collision report, you can obtain it through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).

By gathering sufficient evidence and taking appropriate legal steps, you can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.

Why Do You Need a Greenville Auto Accident Lawyer?

When you file a car accident claim with an insurance company, the insurance adjusters will consider all available evidence to determine fault, but they may also try to minimize your payout. Having skilled auto accident lawyers or a car wreck lawyer on your side is crucial to counter these tactics and advocate for your best interests. Our experienced Greenville car accident attorneys at The Melonakos Law Firm can thoroughly investigate your accident, collect and preserve evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to help you secure a fair settlement. If you’re searching for a “car accident lawyer near me in Greenville”, we have the skills and knowledge to prepare a compelling personal injury claim and take your case to trial if necessary.

South Carolina Law about Car Accidents

South Carolina has a large set of laws designed to prevent car accidents.  The South Carolina Code of Laws has its own chapter dedicated to “The Rules of the Road” at S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-10 et. seq.   When an at-fault driver causes a car accident by not only being negligent but also violating South Carolina’s Rules of the Road, that driver has been “negligent per se” and can be held responsible under the law.

After a car accident, it is important to consult a personal injury attorney to fully understand your legal rights. Knowing your legal rights can help you secure fair compensation and confidently navigate insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Any experienced car accident lawyer in Greenville knows that most car accidents arise out of violations of the same rules. At The Melonakos Law Firm, we understand these laws, we know how to cross-examine at-fault drivers about them, and we know how to get the trial judge to explain these rules to a jury.  When a personal injury case goes to trial, an experienced attorney can help you navigate your personal injury case in accordance with South Carolina law. We take care to select jurors who are familiar with the driving laws and understand why following them is important.

Some of the more commonly-violated South Carolina driving laws in car accident cases include:

• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1930 – Following too closely (i.e. rear-ending another vehicle)
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3230 – Failing to use due care
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2920 – Driving in reckless disregard for the safety of others
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1810 – Crossing the center line into oncoming traffic
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1900 – Failure to maintain lane (changing lanes before it is safe to do so and hitting the vehicle in the next lane)
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-950 – Failure to obey traffic signal (i.e. running a red light)
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2320 – Failure to yield when turning left
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3130 – Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3435 – Failure to pass bicycle at a safe distance
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1220 and 1230 – Hit and Run
• S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1520 – Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Why Choose Us for Your Car Accident Lawyers?

At The Melonakos Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina, our expert automobile accident lawyers help our clients by putting their health and financial lives back in order.  We take on the insurance companies or at-fault parties to earn our clients the compensation they need.  This allows our clients to stop worrying and move on with their lives. As a personal injury client of The Melonakos Law Firm, your job is to heal and move on to the next phase of your life. We handle the rest as you can see from our client testimonials. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay unless we recover compensation for you.

We have significant experience handling car accident cases. This allows us to better focus on the legal aspects of your case that can help you recover compensation. Our legal team includes a former insurance defense attorney, giving us unique insight into the insurance process and strategies to maximize your recovery. With experience in more than 30 trials, we will not hesitate to fight for your rights in court if necessary.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Greenville, SC

Auto accidents and motor vehicle accidents are unfortunately common in Greenville and throughout South Carolina, affecting thousands of drivers each year. Automobile accidents have many causes, and many of them involve driver errors. When looking at South Carolina car accidents, common contributing factors include:

• Distracted driving: This may involve, texting, talking on a cell phone, operating a GPS system, adjusting a stereo, talking to passengers, eating, or any activity that pulls the driver’s attention away from the road.
• Driving under the influence: Driver impairment that leads to wrecks can be caused by alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications.
• Speeding: According to the laws of physics, the faster a vehicle is traveling, the longer it takes to stop to avoid an accident, making speeding a major cause of traffic crashes.
• Aggressive driving: This is a combination of driving behaviors, including speeding, erratic lane changes, failure to yield the right-of-way, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals.
• Drowsy driving: According to the National Safety Council, drivers who are fatigued are three times more likely to be involved in an accident.
• Adverse weather conditions and poor road maintenance – Potholes, soft shoulders, debris in the roadway, and other road maintenance issues can trigger collisions. Crashes can also occur due to low visibility in rain, sleet, snow, and other dangerous weather conditions.
• Tailgating – When drivers follow too closely, they may not have enough room and time to respond when traffic in front of them slows down or stops.
• Reckless driving – South Carolina law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of other people and property. Examples include excessive speeding, weaving in and out of lanes of traffic, and street racing.
• Vehicle defects – Worn tires, faulty brakes, engine trouble, improperly attached trailers, and other vehicle defects can contribute to accidents.
• Failure to yield – Crashes may happen if a driver fails to slow down or stop at yield signs, when making a left turn, or when others have the right of way.

Understanding the causes of motor vehicle accidents and auto accidents is crucial for establishing liability and seeking compensation after a crash.

Additional Resources:

• Auto Accident Checklist
• Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer If You’ve Been Injured
• Maximizing Your Recovery in a Greenville Car Accident Case

Common Types of Car Accidents in Greenville

During a typical year, about 43 percent of collisions involve another motor vehicle, while 26 percent involve a collision with a fixed object, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Car wrecks are a broad category that includes all types of vehicle accidents, resulting in injuries, liability issues, and insurance claims. Some examples of the most common types of car accidents in Greenville include:

Talk to our Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Today

At The Melonakos Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina, our automobile accident lawyers have recovered more than $28 million for our clients. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, our Greenville Car Accident lawyers are also here to help. We maintain a smaller caseload, so we can give each of our clients the attention he or she deserves. Unlike other attorneys, we focus on personalized service and proven results for every client. Contact us if you have been involved in a serious car accident caused by the negligence of another. Call us at (864) 485-5555. If you prefer, fill out our form online or in the online chat, and we can schedule a time to talk that works for you. We offer a free consultation, and your initial meeting is a no-obligation consultation—there is no commitment required to proceed. If you don’t have a car, we can meet you at or near your home.