Car Accident Attorney in Fort Mill
You may be a safe driver. Unfortunately, you can’t control what others do. Because of another driver’s negligence, you may have recently suffered injuries and serious financial costs in a car accident in Fort Mill or a nearby area in York County. You would not be alone, contact our Fort Mill car accident lawyer today. The most recent South Carolina traffic crash statistics show that, in 2016, York County saw:
- 6,908 total collisions
- 1,904 injury crashes
- 34 fatal accidents
- Totaling an estimated $197.6 million in economic losses.
If another driver’s negligence hurts you or a loved one, you should seek help immediately from a skilled, experienced, and compassionate lawyer from McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC. Our law firm’s history of service to Fort Mill car accident victims and their families traces back nearly 40 years. We have earned a reputation for being trusted advisers who won’t sugarcoat our advice. We will always work closely with you to define your goals, and we will tirelessly pursue those goals for you.
We want you to recover the maximum amount of compensation in your case. To learn more about how we can help after your Fort Mill auto accident, call or reach us online today. Our initial consultations are always free.
Our Fort Mill Car Accident Lawyers Can Help If You Were in a Fort Mill Car Accident
South Carolina is no stranger to auto accidents. The S.C. Department of Public Safety reports that, in 2016 alone, there was:
- One traffic collision every 3.7 minutes
- One injury collision every 13.1 minutes
- One fatal collision every 9.3 hours.
Fort Mill is no safe zone. In fact, the Tom Hall Street and Banks Street intersection ranks in the top 10 worst intersections in York County. City officials estimate that 12,400 cars drive through this intersection every day. According to police reports, most accidents at the intersection are fender benders and T-bone collisions, which often occur when people try to beat the light.
As our law firm has seen, most car accidents are preventable. They stem from human error and negligence. Some common reasons for accidents include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
Our firm handles all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those that involve trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists. Whether you are a pedestrian victim injured by a car or the driver of a recreational vehicle injured by a truck driver, our firm will:
- Investigate the accident
- Identify all responsible parties
- Explore all sources of compensation
- Pursue a settlement on your behalf
- Battle for you in court if a trial is necessary.
How Can a Lawyer Assist You After a Fort Mill Car Accident?
Our law firm is all about people. At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, we believe that the relationship between a client and an attorney should be a close one. As a client, you entrust your lawyer with important – and personal – issues and details about your life. So, we believe you should feel comfortable with your lawyer as you work together to pursue your car accident claim. Starting with the initial consultation, you should always feel free to ask questions and expect answers.
When our law firm takes on your case, we will work hard to prepare a claim that seeks the highest amount of compensation for the losses you have suffered. While you focus on your health and your family, we will:
- Investigate your crash – We will go to the crash scene and document it. We will also talk with witnesses and gather all electronic data. Our goal will be to establish who is liable for your accident.
- Calculate your damages – We will review your medical records, work records, and other documents that establish your medical expenses and lost income. We may also consult with experts. We will also consider your pain, suffering, and emotional distress and the impact of the accident on your family.
- Negotiate and litigate your claim – Our lawyers will prepare a case for trial. That preparation will give us leverage as we seek a timely, full, and fair settlement on your behalf. It will also make us ready for trial if one is necessary.
- Provide the support you deserve – We will advise you of all settlement offers and consult with you throughout your case. In addition to handling your injury claim, we can assist with issues such as your property damage claim or help you to deal with medical bill collectors.
We represent Fort Mill car accident victims and their families on a contingency fee basis. So, we will charge you no costs or lawyer fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Our fee will depend on your financial recovery.
What Steps Can You Take on Your Own After a Crash in Fort Mill, SC?
The most important step that you can take after an auto accident in Fort Mill is to call a lawyer. That is our law firm’s honest take. The sooner a lawyer represents you, the sooner you will protect yourself and point your case in the right direction. With that said, here are five important steps you can take on your own:
- Get immediate medical attention – A timely diagnosis of your car accident injuries is crucial for your health and your right to pursue a claim.
- Notify your insurance company – Comply with your policy’s reporting requirement. Stick to the facts and do not give an opinion about the crash.
- Get a copy of your crash report – Contact the agency that responded to the accident. If your crash occurred in Fort Mill, the agency you may want to contact about your crash report could be:
- Keep all your records – Hold on to your witness contact names, crash report, medical bills, vehicle repair bills, insurance company documents – anything related to your crash. It may play an important role in your case.
- Do not talk with the other driver’s insurance company – We’ll put it bluntly. The insurer will not have your best interests at heart. You are better off referring the insurer to your lawyer at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC.
Why Do Auto Accidents Happen in Fort Mill, South Carolina?
Our law firm has experience with handling a wide range of car accident claims in the York County area. In most cases we have seen, human error is to blame. Statistics back this up. The S.C. Department of Public Safety reports that in 2016, the “driver” served as the primary contributing factor in:
- 4% of all traffic collisions (133,655 of 141,599)
- 7% of all injury collisions (38,0444 of 40,187)
- 3% of all fatal collisions (793 of 941).
Based on those car accident statistics, some of the leading types of driver mistakes that cause crashes are:
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Improper lane change or usage
- Distracted or inattention
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals.
If the driver who caused your Fort Mill car accident committed any of the above acts, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, we will review the facts of your case and explain your options.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Fort Mill Car Accident?
The amount that you can recover in a car accident in Fort Mill – or anywhere in South Carolina – typically depends on three factors: Liability, damages, and the amount of available insurance coverage. Our role will be to identify all coverage that applies to your case. Our goal is to identify and pursue the maximum amount. We know that compensation will play a key role in your recovery.
- Typically, we will turn first to the at-fault driver’s liability
- Next, we will see if any other responsible party’s liability coverage applies. For instance, if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, the driver’s employer may be legally responsible.
- Finally, we will turn to your own insurance For instance, we may need to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim with your insurer in order to maximize your recovery.
We know that transportation may be your first concern. After all, you need to get to your job or take your kids to school in Fort Mill, and your car may be wrecked. Our attorneys can also help with your property damage claim.
Many car accidents result in settlements. In those cases, the insurance company (or companies) accept liability and agree to pay a certain amount in damages. However, if the parties cannot agree on either issue – or both – your lawyer should be ready to put on the strongest case possible at trial. Rest assured, we will be ready at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel.
What Can You Recover in a Fort Mill, SC Car Accident Lawsuit?
As you can see from above, several factors go into the amount of damages that a person can recover in a car accident lawsuit. Some of the damages that we typically pursue on behalf of Fort Mill auto accident victims and their families are:
- Past and projected medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of ability to earn future income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages (including loss of financial support)
- Punitive damages (in exceptional cases).
At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, we get to know how an auto accident has affected our clients’ lives. We work hard to pursue an outcome that will make a meaningful difference in their recovery.
What Should You Do After a Car Crash in Fort Mill, SC?
If you were injured in a car accident in Fort Mill, one of the first things you should do is contact an attorney. With that said, you can take additional steps that include:
- Get medical attention and follow the doctor’s orders.
- Gather all photos of the accident scene, witness names, medical bills, insurance company letters, and any other documents you feel are relevant to your case.
- Keep a journal of the incident and your life following it.
- Do not talk about your case or injuries with the insurance company – even if the insurance company asks for a statement or offers you a settlement.
- Avoid discussing your case with others, including on social media.
Our firm can obtain a crash report on your behalf. However, you can also get one on your own. You can contact the law enforcement agency that responded to your crash such as the Fort Mill Police Department or York County Sheriff’s Office. You can also learn more about ordering a crash report through the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles website.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Fort Mill?
In South Carolina, the Statute of Limitations controls how long you have to bring certain types of lawsuits. If you fail to file a claim by the relevant deadline, your claim may be barred. You could lose your right to recover compensation. Under South Carolina law, you generally must file:
- A personal injury lawsuit within three years from the date of the injury (or crash)
- A wrongful death lawsuit within three years from the date of your loved one’s death.
You need to pay close attention to the deadline that applies to your case. If possible, you should seek help from a lawyer well in advance of that date.
Get Help Today from Our Car Accident Lawyers in Fort Mill, SC
Experience, compassion, and attention to detail are what you can expect when you contact McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC after your car accident in Fort Mill. We can review your case today in a consultation. Simply call or reach us online to get started.
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