Uninsured Accidents Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina
Uninsured Accidents Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina
An auto accident is an overwhelming experience that can leave you battered and bruised. If you’ve been injured or your vehicle has been damaged in an accident because of someone else’s negligence, the law allows you to seek fair compensation. Under most circumstances the guilty driver’s insurance would cover some or all of your damages, but what happens if the other driver is uninsured?
Unfortunately, underinsured or uninsured drivers in South Carolina are more common than you might think. When these drivers cause accidents resulting in injury or property damage, they impede the recovery of those they harm.
If your life has been impacted by an underinsured driver, you’ll need a Charleston uninsured motorist lawyer to help you receive the justice and fair compensation that you’re entitled to according to the law.
Uninsured Motorist Lawyer – Charleston Underinsured Motorist Lawyer Near Me
Drivers in South Carolina are legally required to possess liability insurance
Motorists that fail to carry insurance can have their license suspended and are subject to other punishments
If a driver has liability insurance that falls short of the amount needed to compensate you for your injuries, they are considered underinsured
If an uninsured motorist causes you injury or loss, it may be necessary to seek compensation from your own auto insurance company
Speak with a Charleston underinsured motorist lawyer today via a free consultation
In South Carolina, each registered driver on the road is required to have liability insurance coverage, and be able to produce proof of this when it’s requested by an officer. If a Charleston motorist is caught driving without legally mandated auto insurance, they may incur fines or have their licenses suspended. It is estimated that as many as 15% of South Carolina motorists fail to carry the required amount of liability insurance, and many drivers elect to carry only the minimum amount of insurance outlined by the law.
According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, the minimum amount of liability coverage is 25/50/25, which means:
A $25,000 maximum for the injury or death of one person
A $50,000 maximum for the injury or death of more than one person
A $25,000 maximum for damage to property
If you’ve been in a Charleston accident that resulted in severe injuries, required expensive surgery and physical therapy, or caused you to lose time from work, the minimum liability coverage won’t be enough to cover your losses. In collisions resulting in wrongful death, these totals are nowhere near enough for the pain and suffering involved in losing a loved one.
Hold the Negligent Accountable
Charleston Underinsured Lawyer
The Charleston uninsured motorist lawyers at the Law Offices of Scott E. Kegel have more than 20 years of experience representing clients facing uninsured auto accident and personal injury cases. Contact us today with the form included on this page, or call us.
What Do I Do if I'm in an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist?
When possible, you should take steps to protect yourself from the selfish behavior of a motorist who fails to obey mandatory minimum insurance laws. The following steps should be followed after an accident, and become even more relevant if the negligent motorist failed to maintain their insurance.
Take pictures of the accident scene
Talk to witnesses, get their phone numbers, and ask them to write a statement
Obtain the police report relative to the accident
If you think the motorist is impaired by alcohol or drugs, inform the police
Contact your Charleston lawyer immediately
If you’re severely injured in an accident due to the actions of a negligent motorist, then some of these steps may prove impossible. In these cases, your Charleston underinsured motorist lawyer will conduct their own investigation of the facts on your behalf.
Can I Seek Compensation from The Negligent Motorist?
More often than not, a Charleston motorist that can’t afford auto insurance makes a poor candidate for a lawsuit. If such an action has the potential for success, I may pursue it, but usually, it makes more sense to seek compensation from your own auto insurance company.
The law requires that motorists carry uninsured motorist coverage, so if you maintain legal insurance, you will be covered in these situations. If your medical bills exceed the coverage of the negligent driver’s policy, it may be necessary to make up the difference by pursuing a claim with your own insurance company.
Even though you are entitled to full compensation, your insurance company will do whatever they can to minimize your settlement. Remember that your insurance company has but one obligation, and that is to their shareholders. If you feel as though the settlement offer is below its full value, you should get help from a tenacious Charleston uninsured motorist lawyer.
You Shouldn’t Have to Pay out Of Pocket for Another Motorist’s Negligence
If you’re injured in an accident caused by a careless Charleston motorist, you will likely have to deal with medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and possible pain and suffering in the short or long term. If you suffer injury to your head, neck, or spine, you could even be facing extensive rehabilitation or incomplete recovery.
When someone else’s carelessness forces you to turn to your own insurance company for help, you shouldn’t get stonewalled after paying your insurance premiums diligently for many years. Fortunately, I am here to help you protect your own interests by holding your insurance company up to the end of your policy agreement.
Your insurance company has a team of attorneys working to protect its bottom line. Who is helping you protect your financial well-being after being injured by an uninsured motorist?
Contact a Charleston Underinsured Motorist Lawyer at Scott E. Kegel Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you are probably frustrated and angry. Rest assured that I will do my best to help you seek fair compensation. Contact my law office today and enjoy a free consultation.
I will protect your legal rights and do my best to make sure that you get the money you need to balance the scales of justice.