If you or your family were recently injured in a car accident, there’s a good chance you’ll be entitled to damages. Ideally, your insurance claim will cover all your damages and you won’t need to hire a car accident lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina. However, in our experience, insurance companies are not quick to pay claims, especially when they’re large.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to a significant amount in damages. Since every case is different, it wouldn’t be fair for your injury lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina to promise a certain amount in damages. The only promise they can make if that they’re going to work hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Here, we will briefly discuss the different types of damages you may be entitled to should you be involved in a car accident. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your own accident case, feel free to reach out to us directly. You can call us anytime and schedule your free, initial consultation.

You Will Likely Be Entitled to Damages for Your Vehicle

Obviously, if your vehicle was either damaged or destroyed in the crash, you’ll be entitled to compensation. The defendant should be liable for the costs to either fix your car or replace it. If the insurance company deems your car totaled, then you can demand compensation equal to the fair market value of your car or SUV.

The best way that your car accident lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina can prove these damages is by submitting a copy of your mechanic’s bill. In most cases, our clients cannot wait for their case to settle to get their car fixed. They need their vehicle to get back to work and to shuttle their family around from place to place. What this means is that you may have to pay to get your car repaired, knowing that your attorney is going to demand that you be reimbursed by the defendant.

Your Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina Will Also Demand Lost Wages

If you miss more than a couple of weeks from work due to the crash, your injury lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina will demand additional compensation. Typically, if you only missed a few days from work, you would not sue for damages. Most people have at least a few days or even a week saved up in vacation time or personal time. Legally, you are required to use this time before you can demand any further compensation from the other party.

What your attorney will do is submit copies of your pay stubs as well as your work schedule to show how much time you’ve missed. They can also get your doctor to attest to the fact that you missed these days because of your injuries.

If the Accident Leaves You Permanently Disabled, You Can Demand Lost Future Income

If your accident was serious, you may end up with life changing injuries. Some of our clients end up permanently or temporarily disabled as a result of their car accident. In cases like this, your car accident lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina will demand damages for lost future income.

In order to prove these damages, your attorney will have to show proof of what you were earning prior to the accident. They can do this using either statements from your employer or a copy of your last three tax returns. They will then compare this to whatever you’re going to earn now that you find yourself disabled. If you’re going to go on disability, it shouldn’t be difficult to determine the difference in income. If, however, you’re going to return to work but in a different position, you’ll need to submit proof that you will no longer be earning the same amount that you were earning prior to your car accident.

Of Course, Your Injury Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina Will Demand Compensation for Your Medical Bills

It should go without saying that the defendant will be liable for any medical bills you incurred as a result of the crash. This would include anything from hospitalizations to prescription medications. If your injuries are very serious, you may need additional care in the future. Your injury lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina will demand compensation for this as well.

Even if your injuries weren’t that serious, you’ll still be entitled to compensation for any medical bills you experienced. For example, if you went to the emergency room via ambulance from the crash scene, the bill for this could be as much as $1,000. You may also have bills from the emergency room visit itself. There’s no reason you should have to pay for these out of your pocket. Your car accident lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina will demand that the defendant pay these bills.

Depending on Your Injuries, You May Be Entitled to Pain and Suffering

Most of our clients who have been injured in a car accident are entitled to damages for pain and suffering. These damages are meant to compensate you for any mental and physical anguish you suffered as a result of the crash. In most cases, pain and suffering damages make up the lion’s share of your settlement.

The general rule when it comes to pain and suffering is that your attorney will take your medical bills and multiply it by three. So, if you had $200,000 in outstanding medical bills, your injury lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina would demand $600,000 in pain and suffering.

An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve

It’s important to remember that your car accident lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina will demand damages. However, when your case settles, you more than likely will not receive your full demand. There has to be an incentive for the insurance company to settle. When it comes to a settlement, both parties have to give and take a little.

We recommend that, if you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, you call our office as soon as possible. You can schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone.