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To our Columbia car accident attorneys, trust is everything. At Shealey Law Firm, we focus on helping those who have been hurt by the actions of others. Our injury attorneys have a track record of achieving results for our clients.
If you have been in an accident, we invite you to see how a Columbia car accident lawyer from Shealey Law Firm can help you. Contact us for a consultation about your situation.
Legal Representation for Car Accident Victims
Our Columbia car accident lawyers want you to know:
- Victims may receive compensation.
- Most claims are based on accidents – not intentional conduct.
- Economic and non-economic damages may be a part of compensation. In addition to monetary losses, you may receive an additional payment for things like physical suffering and emotional anguish.
- Many car accident victims settle their cases for far less than they are truly worth.
- You can have a car accident attorney represent you and your legal interests.
Our Columbia car accident attorneys can represent you with the insurance company and if your case goes to court. You can know what your claim is worth and if you are receiving a fair amount. You can protect your legal rights. The Shealey Law Firm experienced team can provide guidance while we represent your interests throughout your case.
Auto Accident Claims in Columbia, SC
Our lawyers believe that it’s important to get to know you and what happened in detail before an accident claim gets underway. We provide professional assistance throughout the entire process of achieving car accident compensation.
With our law firm representing you, you don’t have to wonder if you’re doing the right thing. You don’t have to talk to the insurance company while you’re recovering from your injuries. Trust us to take care of everything.
Some ways we can help you with your car accident claim include:
- Evaluating your legal rights and options, and answering your questions about what comes next
- Determining who has legal fault to pay compensation
- Finding and reviewing insurance policies that may apply
- Preparing and filing your legal claim
- Knowing legal procedures
- Building your case, proving everything needed for you to receive compensation
- Advocating for you, in court, with the insurance company, and always in your case
- Speaking on your behalf
- Serving as your advocates, answering your questions throughout the case
The Shealey Law Firm team has significant courtroom and trial experience. This experience gives us the perspective to identify unique issues and places to focus in your case. It is our goal to help Columbia, SC auto accident victims get fair compensation from the party or parties responsible. To see how we can help you, call or message us for a consultation.
Do I Have a Car Accident Claim?
You may have a car accident claim if:
- An accident occurred.
- Someone else is responsible for the accident, fully or partially.
- You have physical injuries that you sought medical treatment for, or you lost a loved one.
- You have losses like medical bills, lost income, personal suffering or a combination of all of these.
A car accident claim may be based on negligence, recklessness, intentional harm or even strict liability.
Legal fault for a car accident can be complex. When it comes to who must pay damages, the answer may surprise you. There may be parties who are not even present at the accident scene, like an employer of a commercial driver or a vehicle manufacturer who designed one of the vehicles. These parties may have liability to pay damages based on things that may have contributed to the accident.
Our attorneys look at all possibilities for you to receive the compensation you deserve. Many claims are settled through insurance policies, and we investigate what policies apply and their applicable limits.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Speeding
The simple act of speeding is often the underlying cause of a car accident. Speeding reduces the driver’s reaction time. It also raises the forces on impact. Accident reconstruction and analysis can determine the speed of the vehicles leading up to the crash.
Stop sign, stop light and right of way violations
The rules of the road apply to all drivers. When a driver fails to stop, or they turn when they don’t have the right of way, the result can be a devastating accident.
Tailgating, following too closely
Following another vehicle too closely is an example of negligence. It’s also a violation of South Carolina traffic laws. In a rear-end accident, the vehicle in the back is usually at fault, but there are some exceptions.
Multiple-vehicle accidents and pile ups
A car accident case can be especially complex when there are three or more vehicles involved. We can gather evidence and evaluate fault.
Lane change violations
Cutting off another driver can result in a side-swipe crash. A driver reacting may be forced to take corrective action, resulting in a rollover or running off the road. A driver should change lanes only when they can safely do so.
Drunk driving accident victims
Drunk driving is a civil wrong in addition to being a criminal violation. Victims deserve compensation, and the defendant should be held accountable. Our lawyers look for ways for you to claim compensation, including whether a bar or restaurant has liability for overserving the driver.
Commercial vehicles
Commercial drivers have high standards to keep their vehicles safe. They must also drive with the necessary skill and care to be safe on the roads. We investigate the hiring, training and driving practices to determine what may have contributed to the crash.
Rideshare, Uber, Lyft and taxis
When a car accident involves a rideshare or other vehicle for hire, there are special considerations in how to pursue your compensation. Our lawyers understand what to look for and what’s needed in a rideshare accident claim.
Defective vehicles
A defective vehicle may cause a crash or make it worse. A vehicle manufacturer may be responsible for the vehicle’s design or a malfunction that contributes to a crash.
Shared fault
Car crashes are often complex. Sometimes, it’s not as easy as someone being wholly at fault. Our lawyers handle claims involving shared or comparative fault. We investigate all the contributing factors and the appropriate amount of compensation.
Severe and catastrophic injury
Claims involving severe and catastrophic injury must be handled with care. There are losses and suffering the victim is likely to endure in the future. Future damages may be included in compensation. Our lawyers help you document and claim these important damages.
Wrongful death
When a car accident involves the loss of a loved one, you need answers, justice and financial help. Our compassionate lawyers know how important this is to you. We have the training and experience to fully pursue your wrongful death claim.
Address and Location
Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Columbia at:
1507 Richland St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Our location
We are located near the corner of Richland Street and Bull Street in the Robert Mills Historic District. We are the second house on the north side as you head east on Richland Street from Bull Street. There is a small sign out front with our name on it. Richland Street has two lanes of traffic in each direction with parking spaces on each side of the street.
You can arrive at Richland Street from Bull Street from the north or south. To the east, Richland Street does not go through to Harden Street. The furthest cross street to the east is Gregg Street.
By car
Take any major thoroughfare into Columbia. From the northeast, SC-277 becomes Bull Street. From the southeast, take U.S. 378 to Gervais Street. Turn left, then right at Bull Street. From the southwest, U.S. 321 takes you to into the city, where you follow 321 left. You can then turn right on Richland Street. From the northwest, I-126 leads into the city and Elmwood Avenue. Turn right onto Bull Street.
Parking is available near our building.
By public transportation
Shealey Law Firm is accessible via the COMET bus transportation network. We are a short walk from the COMET Central transportation hub. The 301, 3, 93X, 12 and 42 bus routes travel within one or two blocks of our offices. A ride on COMET costs $2.00 or $1.00 discounted fare. Exact change is required.
Phone, video chat, virtual consultations
We invite you to our offices to meet our team and talk about your case. Phone, video chat and virtual consultations are available, too. We can also meet you in the hospital, a long-term care facility or in your home.
Experienced Legal Representation
Shealey Law Firm is a team of experienced attorneys handling car accident claims. When you work with our attorneys, you can expect:
- Experience. Expect a team of experienced lawyers who handle car accident cases. We have spent significant time in the courtroom, and we have a record of success.
- Attorneys who listen. Outstanding legal representation is personalized to your situation. We get to know you and the case in depth so that we can pursue the results that matter to you.
- Personalized service. Each client we serve and each case we handle is unique. By personalizing our representation for your needs, we can pursue a trial resolution or settlement that is appropriate for your situation.
- Complete, full-service representation. From the very beginning of your case, at any time following the accident, and until your case is complete, we can represent you. We investigate, document evidence, strategize and pursue the case in full until it is complete.
- A team that you can trust. We take our job seriously because we know how much results matter. Our team communicates with you, and we are always available to answer your questions.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you can have a Columbia, SC legal team from Shealey Law Firm help you through the process of receiving fair compensation. You can count on us to provide professional and committed legal representation when you or your family have been hurt.
What Should You Do Following a Car Accident in Columbia?
Make sure you are safe
The first thing to do is make sure you are safe and not in danger. If the car is operational then make sure you pull over to the side of the road to avoid being struck by oncoming vehicles. If the car is not operational, then safely get out of the vehicle if you can and call the police.
Call 911
This is extremely important because if you or someone else involved in the accident is injured, then it is important that medical attention is requested so that you or the other party can get the medical treatment they need
It is very important to document the case for the future in case the at fault party tries to claim they are not liable for the accident. Having the police on the scene to verify who is at fault is often essential in helping the person not responsible for the accident receive financial compensation for the medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering related to the accident.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
This is required by law unless you are forced to leave the scene to seek medical treatment.
Get the contact information for any witnesses that are on the scene
If the at-fault driver later tries to dispute liability, sometimes having a helpful witness can resolve a case in your favor. Make sure to get any contact information at the scene if you can from any helpful witnesses.
Take pictures of your car and the other car involved
Taking detailed pictures of your car and any other cars involved in the accident will help your case by demonstrating the impact of the collision. This is important because the insurance companies often try to downplay the severity of the collision, but as they say “a picture speaks a thousand words”, and in the case of showing the insurance companies the severity of the collision, pictures are extremely helpful.
Call a trusted Columbia car accident lawyer
Getting the financial compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering requires the assistance of a trusted car accident lawyer. The car accident lawyers at Shealey Law can help you navigate the process and assert enough pressure on the insurance companies to help you get your financial justice.
Time is of the essence, so please contact our car accident firm to request a case evaluation from our attorneys today.
Car Accident Case FAQs
What is the law for car accidents in Columbia, SC?
Car accident law in Columbia and throughout South Carolina is at-fault and based on negligence. The party who causes the accident based on a lack of reasonable care is responsible to pay damages to the victims. Many claims are settled through insurance policies.
Is South Carolina an at-fault state for car accidents?
South Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents. The victim of an accident may seek monetary compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
What is my car accident claim worth?
A car accident victim may claim their financial losses including medical bills, income loss and other tangible losses. They may also claim non-economic losses which are proportional to the relative severity of the crash and its impact on the person’s life. Each case is assessed individually.
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim in SC?
Usually, a car accident claim in SC takes anywhere from about six weeks to 18 months to settle. It depends on the complexity of the case and issues in dispute. Settling a case efficiently is an important goal, but it’s also important to fully pursue your compensation. Our lawyers can help you balance all the factors.
Can I bring a car accident compensation claim if there are criminal charges?
A car accident victim may bring a claim for compensation even if there are criminal charges like drunk driving or reckless driving. In fact, a civil action is the only process that focuses on appropriate compensation for the victim.
Are there time limits for filing a car accident claim in Columbia, SC?
Usually, you have three years to file a car accident claim in Columbia, SC. If a defendant is a unit of government, the time limit is shorter. Making an insurance claim does not preserve your right to file a claim. Our attorneys can help you file the appropriate legal action.
How do I help my car accident case?
If you have been in a car accident, report it to law enforcement. Seek medical attention right away. In fact, complete medical documentation is critical to your case. Preserve evidence at the scene by taking photos with your phone or a camera. Get the names and relevant information for drivers involved and any witnesses. Be sure to follow treatment recommendations and keep track of your expenses. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Will my car accident case go to trial?
Very few car accident cases go to trial. However, it is critical to build a strong case and be ready to go to trial if necessary. Our lawyers can explain what makes a case likely to go to trial and if any of those factors are present in your situation. We resolve cases through settlements and trials. As the client, it’s up to you whether you want to accept a settlement or go to trial. We aim to build a strong case so that you can receive an outstanding result in your case whether it resolves by settlement or trial.
Start Your Case With Available Free Consultations
Start today with a free consultation with Shealey Law Firm. After we learn about what happened, we talk about applicable laws and the legal process. Our team is here to take the burden off you while you are recovering from injuries. We’ll talk about how we can represent your interests in the claims process.
Then, we’ll answer your questions. We explain how our representation works and how you may benefit from our services. If you choose to hire us, we can start your case right away.
Talk to a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer Today
Contact our car accident lawyers now. Call or message us to talk about your case.