In South Carolina, most car accidents are minor. Only 1% of car accident victims suffer a serious injury or fatality.
However, you may need an experienced car accident lawyer even with minor accidents. There may be questions you have or disputes issues and a lawyer can ensure that your claim is not undervalued and that you take the right steps to get the compensation you deserve.
What is Considered a Minor Car Accident?
A minor car accident is a traffic collision resulting in relatively less serious harm and damages. Minor accidents generally have the following characteristics:
- No injuries, or only minor injuries
- Minimal property damage
- Relatively insignificant personal inconveniences
Whether an accident is minor or serious depends on the harm that results. A seemingly minor car accident may be serious because it resulted in major injuries.
Understanding Minor Car Accidents
You’ve probably heard of some car accident awards exceeding $1 million. Large amounts can be awarded in cases involving severe injury or death. However, most car accident awards are not that high because most car accidents in South Carolina are considered minor.
- In South Carolina, in 2022, there were 297,225 people involved in car accidents who did not suffer any apparent injury.
- Also, in South Carolina, in 2022, there were an additional 47,602 people involved in car accidents that suffered only possible or minor injuries.
- 69% of car accidents are property damage-only accidents.
When Would You Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Here are some circumstances where you need a lawyer for a minor car accident:
The fault is not clear
Even when a car accident is minor, you must prove fault to receive compensation. Unless the other side admits fault, you must build your case.
You have soft tissue injuries.
Soft tissue injuries are often the cause of significant suffering. They should be valued fairly and compensated. Unfortunately, insurance companies can be dismissive of soft tissue injuries. Without an attorney, you may not realize that your claim is undervalued.
Questions of damages in general
Some car accidents that seem minor are not minor at all. With pain and suffering, emotional anguish, inconvenience, and lost wages, your claim may be a significant amount. A lawyer can value your total damages.
Delayed injuries
Sometimes, injuries after a car accident are delayed. You may need help from an attorney to prove that your injuries should be included in your claim.
Surprise allegations of fault
The other party may accuse you of being at fault, to minimize your claim. You may need an experienced attorney to defend against the allegations.
Insurance policy interpretation
Insurance policies can be complex and confusing. A lawyer can interpret your policy and explain what’s covered.
Interacting with the insurance company
Insurance companies will work to pay out the least amount possible to protect their bottom line. They may offer a very low settlement, undervalue the value of the damage, or shift blame onto you to lower their claim payout. When you have a lawyer, they have experience interacting with the insurance companies and can work to get you a fair settlement.
Common Pitfalls in Minor Car Accident Claims
These common pitfalls in minor car accident claims are reasons that you may benefit from having a lawyer. Even in a minor car accident, it is beneficial to have an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer on your side.
How do I know if I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
If you’re not sure if you need a lawyer for a minor car accident, we invite you to contact our law firm for a free consultation. Our experienced Greenville car accident lawyer can give you an informed evaluation, and explain the pros and cons of using a lawyer in your situation. Then, you can decide if a lawyer is right for you.
How an Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer is important even after a minor car accident. Here are some ways an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer can help:
- Investigating – Is your accident truly minor? Who is at fault? We can investigate the important questions in your case.
- Evaluating – Let us evaluate what your case is worth, including economic and non-economic damages. You’ll know the full value of your case.
- Communicating – When you have representation from an experienced lawyer at Jordan Law Center, we handle all communication with the insurance company.
- Following the process – A lawyer knows the steps to get your compensation. They know how to avoid delays, and how to move a case forward.
- Advising you – Count on your lawyers to give you legal advice you can rely on.
A lawyer provides skill and judgment.
When you’re in a car accident, you rely on your attorney for two things – their knowledge and their judgment. A lawyer is trained in law. They know how the law applies in different situations.
They can apply this knowledge to your case.
In addition, you rely on your lawyer for their judgment. Your lawyer can provide helpful insights.
For example, they can tell you if a settlement offer is fair. You still make the big decisions in your case – like whether to accept a settlement – but they’ll give you their opinion and explain things to consider.
Legal Consultation for a Minor Car Accident
If you are wondering if you should get a lawyer after a minor car accident, we invite you to contact Jordan Law Center. Get a lawyer’s opinion on whether you would benefit from having legal representation in your situation. We’ll learn about your case and answer your questions. Call or message us today.
“There is not enough GREAT THINGS I could say about Jordan Law Center.”