If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Hilton Head, SC, the aftermath can be challenging and disorienting. Besides dealing with physical injuries and emotional distress, navigating the legal landscape can add another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals like you in the pursuit of justice.
With a team of skilled trial lawyers and extensive resources, we have what it takes to level the playing field against insurance companies aiming to minimize payouts. From accidents caused by negligent drivers to complex claims involving commercial vehicles, disputed liability, or life-altering injuries, we handle it all with the expertise and insight needed to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Hilton Head, our Hilton Head car accident attorneys are here to assist you. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any fees unless we win your case.
To learn more about how we can help, contact us online for a FREE consultation.
How Our Hilton Head Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
As a renowned Hilton Head law firm, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is known for providing award-winning representation to injured victims when needed. Our firm has extensive experience dealing with local courts and insurance carriers, refining our services to ensure clients receive the support they deserve.
Comprehensive Legal Counsel
From the moment you engage our services, we stand by your side, offering comprehensive legal counsel tailored to the unique circumstances of your car accident case. Our experienced attorneys understand the nuances of Hilton Head laws and apply their knowledge to support you every step of the way.
Insurance Claims and Settlement Negotiations
Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. Our seasoned team skillfully assists you in filing insurance claims and negotiating settlements, working tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages incurred due to the accident.
Litigation for Complex Cases
Some car accident cases are particularly complex and require court proceedings. Our attorneys possess the litigation experience needed to handle these challenging scenarios.
We prepare a robust case on your behalf, advocating for your rights and striving for a favorable outcome.
Personalized Attention from Experienced Attorneys
Each case is personal, and so is our approach. Our attorneys provide personalized attention, ensuring you feel heard, valued, and understood throughout the legal process.
Your concerns become our concerns as we work together toward justice.
Support and Guidance Through the Legal Process
We recognize how confusing the legal aftermath of a car accident can be. Our team offers consistent support and guidance, helping you make informed decisions while simplifying legal procedures and documentation complexities.
Get Financial and Legal Support With Our Hilton Head Car Accident Law Firm
Many car accident injury victims find themselves in a financial bind after a crash. Vehicle collisions can result in sudden and unexpected costs, and serious injuries can make it impossible to earn a living.
This financial strain might make hiring an attorney seem out of reach. Fortunately, you can pursue your case for compensation without paying anything upfront.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we take each case on a contingency-fee basis. This means we only get paid when you do.
We start working on your case immediately without charging any attorney’s fees, and we only receive payment when we recover compensation on your behalf.
Ali Awad, the founder of the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, is a highly respected personal injury attorney who handles many cases, including brain injuries, defective products, nursing home abuse, and workers’ compensation. Beyond his legal expertise, Ali is a dedicated advocate for positive change within his profession and community.
He has also served as lead counsel in numerous cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful deaths resulting from car and trucking accidents.
With this approach to legal billing, we retain a percentage of what we recover. Before we begin working on your case, this percentage is set so you know what to expect.
You don’t owe us anything if we don’t recover anything on your behalf.
Compensation After a Car Accident in Hilton Head
If you’ve been in a car accident in Hilton Head, you may be eligible for economic and non-economic loss compensation. A personal injury attorney can assist you in securing financial compensation for various damages, including:
- Medical Expenses: Car accidents can lead to serious injuries such as whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), back and spinal cord injuries (SCIs), broken bones, and organ damage. An experienced attorney can help you obtain immediate and long-term healthcare funds.
- Lost Wages: If the accident has caused you to miss work, an attorney can help you secure compensation for your lost wages. In cases where the accident results in a disabling condition, such as paralysis, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning potential.
- Property Damage: Fast legal representation can aid in securing money to cover the costs of vehicle repairs or replacement. These expenses are factored into the settlement to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Pain and Suffering: Our Hilton Head personal injury lawyers can help you obtain damages for the emotional pain and mental anguish resulting from the accident. Compensation may also cover loss of companionship and loss of consortium.
For a comprehensive evaluation of your case and to maximize your compensation, contact a personal injury attorney who can guide you through the legal process.
What to Do After a Hilton Head Car Accident
Car accidents can be challenging, and knowing the steps to take immediately afterward is essential. If you’re involved in a car accident, follow these steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights:
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for any visible injuries. If someone is seriously injured or cannot move, do not attempt to move them. Ensure airways are clear and attend to any urgent medical needs.
- Call for Help: Dial 911 for emergency medical assistance. For non-emergency situations, use the local non-emergency police line.
- Move to Safety: If it’s safe, move your vehicle out of the traffic flow to prevent further accidents and ensure emergency vehicles have easy access.
- Exchange Information: Share insurance details and contact information with the other drivers involved. Collect full names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the drivers and any witnesses. Eyewitness accounts are crucial, especially in the event of a hit-and-run.
- Gather Evidence: Document the accident scene by taking photos and videos of the site, vehicle damages, and road conditions. Collect information about the weather and other factors that might have contributed to the accident.
- Cooperate with Police: In Hilton Head, you need an accident report to file a car accident claim. Cooperate with local law enforcement and provide all necessary information, even if you think you’re at fault.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get a comprehensive medical examination as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as muscle trauma, nerve damage, concussion, or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent.
- Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of your injuries, medical treatments, vehicle damages, and other expenses. Consider keeping a journal to track your recovery and the impact of the accident on your daily life.
- Consult a Lawyer: Contact our Hilton Head car accident lawyer immediately. Avoid posting about the accident on social media or discussing the incident with an insurance adjuster before consulting with your lawyer.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents in Hilton Head
Hilton Head has consistently ranked among the top three worst driving states in the country due to high fatality rates, failure to obey traffic laws, careless driving, drunk driving, and speeding. Understanding the common causes of motor vehicle collisions in Hilton Head is important.
No matter the cause of your accident—whether due to distracted driving, speeding, or a drunk drive, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm team is committed to holding the at-fault driver accountable and seeking the justice you deserve.
Let’s discuss each of these main causes of car accidents below:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving remains the top cause of car accidents, not just in Hilton Head but nationwide. This includes using mobile devices, eating, adjusting the radio, and other activities that take the driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding: Exceeding speed limits is a prevalent issue in Hilton Head. Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Local law enforcement continuously works on measures to enforce speed limits to ensure community safety.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair cognitive and motor functions, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Hilton Head has strict laws against DUI, with hefty penalties to deter this dangerous behavior.
- Weather Conditions: Hilton Head’s weather can sometimes contribute to road hazards, particularly during the rainy season. Slippery roads and reduced visibility are common challenges that lead to accidents.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: Accidents often occur at intersections when drivers fail to yield the right of way. This could be due to ignorance of traffic laws, inattention, or misjudgment of oncoming traffic’s distance and speed.
- Inadequate Roadway Maintenance: Potholes, unmarked roads, and inadequate street lighting can lead to accidents. Local government agencies are responsible for maintaining road infrastructure to minimize these risks.
- Reckless Driving: Actions such as changing lanes abruptly without signaling, aggressive driving, and not adhering to traffic signs contribute to accidents, which endanger everyone on the road.
- Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle can lead to rear-end collisions, especially if the front vehicle has to stop suddenly. Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Modern vehicles are supplied with numerous safety features designed to reduce the impact of accidents. However, injuries can still occur, even in minor collisions and fender benders.
Here are some of the most common injuries resulting from car mishaps, along with signs to be aware of:
Mild Concussions
Mild concussions can have significant impacts despite their classification. Common symptoms include persistent headaches, confusion, nausea, and dizziness.
It is essential to monitor for additional symptoms, such as losing balance and coordination or experiencing tinnitus. Immediate medical attention is crucial to properly assess and treat concussions.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries can be severe, resulting in loss of limb functionality, paralysis, or even cardiovascular complications. Signs to watch for include difficulty breathing, a tingling sensation or weakness in muscles, and numbness in the chest, arms, or legs.
Symptoms may also extend to involuntary bladder or bowel control. Prompt medical evaluation is necessary to address these serious concerns.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding might not be immediately apparent but poses a serious risk. Symptoms such as unexplained dizziness, weakness, unusually low blood pressure, numbness, or persistent headaches warrant urgent medical examination.
This condition can become fatal if not addressed swiftly.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a prevalent injury from car accidents due to rapid head movement. This soft tissue injury might not show symptoms immediately but can lead to prolonged neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and restricted movement.
Monitoring and medical consultation are advised to manage and mitigate symptoms.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most critical injuries that can occur in any vehicular accident, with the potential to cause permanent damage or even fatality. These injuries are generally the result of blunt force trauma and require immediate medical attention.
Back Injuries
Back injuries vary widely, from muscle strains and spasms to more severe conditions like slipped discs. These injuries can severely impact mobility and, in some cases, lead to chronic pain, disability, or other health complications such as depression or obesity-related issues.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The healing process for broken bones and fractures can be lengthy, significantly disrupting daily activities and work life. These injuries require proper medical care and adequate recovery time to heal effectively.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries from car accidents can lead to significant physical changes or disfigurement. In Hilton Head, individuals affected by such injuries may be eligible for compensation to cover reconstructive surgery and manage the long-term effects of these injuries.
Paralysis and Permanent Disability
In cases of severe accidents, individuals may suffer from paralysis or permanent disabilities that necessitate lifelong care. Legal compensation can assist in covering expenses related to healthcare, home modifications, and specialized transportation to accommodate new living conditions.
Psychological Trauma
Car accidents can also lead to profound psychological impacts, such as increased anxiety, depression, and a diminished overall quality of life. It is important to acknowledge and address these mental health effects, as they can be just as debilitating as physical injuries.
Our Hilton Head car accident law firm is committed to ensuring that the comprehensive costs of your accident, both physical and psychological, are recognized in your settlement.
What Is the Moderate Car Accident Settlement in Hilton Head, SC?
Calculating the average car accident settlement in Hilton Head, SC, is a complex task that depends on various factors. These include the severity of the damage, the medical bills incurred, future care needs, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The settlement amount may also be influenced by the degree of fault attributed to you in the accident, as well as other factors that contributed to your injuries.
Two primary categories of damages are available in car accident cases: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover tangible losses such as emergency medical expenses, which account for immediate medical care like emergency room visits. They also include the cost of future medical treatment, which might involve hospital stays, medications, costs related to complications, and long-term rehabilitation.
Loss of income can be claimed for the period you cannot work due to medical or legal reasons. Additionally, suppose you’ve had to modify your home for accessibility or missed out on pre-planned trips due to the accident.
In that case, you can seek compensation for these household expenses and canceled trips.
Non-economic damages address more subjective losses. These include mental anguish, which covers emotional distress and conditions like PTSD that might require therapy.
Pain and suffering compensation is awarded for chronic pain directly stemming from the accident. Furthermore, suppose a loved one was lost in the accident.
In that case, compensation for loss of companionship acknowledges the emotional impact of their absence, providing some recompense for the years lost due to another’s negligence.
How Long Do You Have to Take Legal Action After an Accident?
Under South Carolina law, there are strict time limits for filing your accident claim. Generally, you have exactly three years from the date of your injury to take legal action.
However, the time limit may be even shorter if your case involves a government entity.
Even if three years have already passed since your accident, you might still have options. The three-year deadline starts when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered your injury.
This distinction is important because, in some cases, you may not realize you were injured until years after the initial incident.
Failing to act within the specified time frame will likely result in losing your right to seek compensation. Don’t let this happen due to a statutory technicality; protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced attorney today.
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Hilton Head, SC?
Determining who pays for medical bills after a car accident in Hilton Head, South Carolina, can be complex due to the specifics of the accident, the insurance policies involved, and state regulations.
In Hilton Head, SC, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is not mandatory as it is not a no-fault state. However, if you have opted for PIP in your insurance, it can cover some initial medical costs.
Another option is MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage), which is optional and helps pay for your medical expenses, regardless of fault, up to the policy limit. If you have health insurance, it will typically cover your treatment costs after an accident, though deductibles and copays may apply.
Your health insurer may also seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance through subrogation. If another driver is at fault, their liability insurance, which is mandatory in Hilton Head and includes bodily injury liability, should cover your medical expenses.
There might be instances where you need to make out-of-pocket payments if there are delays or disputes in insurance payments, so keeping all receipts and medical records is crucial for later reimbursement. In cases where insurance coverage is inadequate or fault is disputed, legal action may be necessary, and consulting with a personal injury attorney could be beneficial.
Additionally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though optional, can protect you if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, covering expenses that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Call Our Hilton Head Car Accident Lawyer Today!
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are dedicated to supporting victims and families in Hilton Head after preventable accidents. We understand how challenging this time can be, and we are committed to easing your burden so that you can focus on what truly matters—your healing and recovery.
Our ultimate goal is to get the financial recovery you need without stepping foot in a courtroom. However, getting your case’s best outcome sometimes means filing a lawsuit and pursuing litigation.
If you have questions about your case, our Hilton Head car accident law firm is here to assist you. We offer FREE consultations and serve clients throughout the region.
Contact our Hilton Head Car Accident Lawyer at (864) 664-3865 or schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll help you explore your legal options.
