In 2020, there were approximately 121,235 car accidents in South Carolina. Of those 121,235 accidents, 47,985 accidents resulted in injuries. When in a car accident, vehicles aren’t the only thing that suffers damage. Many victims of car accidents find themselves needing medical attention to tend to injuries they have sustained in a car accident. Additionally, they lose the ability to earn wages either for a short period of time or for extended periods of time. These losses, coupled with the damage to the victim’s vehicle, can leave the victim in a sticky financial situation.
Victims who have obtained injuries due to another driver’s negligence should never have to worry about how they are going to survive financially. In fact, victims of car accidents are entitled to compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and property damage. Some victims will never be able to live the same lifestyle again, and others may have to live with excruciating pain for the rest of their lives. No matter what injury has been sustained, victims of car accidents in Myrtle Beach are entitled to a car accident settlement. We wanted to put together our typical car accident settlement amounts to give our clients a better understanding of what to expect when going through a car accident settlement claim.
According to our the car accident settlement amounts shared below, the typical Myrtle Beach car accident settlement amount tends to be anywhere from $62,0000 to $300,000. Our case examples below show us an average settlement of $133,260. In one case, we were able to recover 1,000x the original settlement offer negotiated by a client’s previous attorney. As there are multiple factors involved in developing a case, we can never guarantee that you will receive a certain amount because settlements are highly dependent on the unique circumstances of each case. Oftentimes, when proposing a settlement amount, the insurance company will likely propose a counteroffer, and then we will have to negotiate.
Recent Myrtle Beach Car Accident Settlement Examples
- In September of 2021, a client was involved in a car accident that resulted in a concussion. The negligent driver failed to yield, which resulted in a car accident. After a settlement was reached, he received $120,833 in compensation for his concussion injury, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- In November 2021, a client was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a car that failed to yield. His trip to the ER to tend to his injuries resulted in a significant medical bill. A pre-suit settlement agreement was reached, and he received $62,250 to compensate for his injuries.
- In November 2020, a client was involved in a car accident that resulted in a severe laceration to the leg. This laceration was so severe that it required surgical intervention and neuromuscular blocking treatments to help reduce pain. His Myrtle Beach car accident settlement amounted to $215,000.
- In 2018, a client was involved in a car accident that was caused by a negligent driver. This accident resulted in a severe knee injury that required surgical intervention and neuromuscular blocking techniques. Her original lawyer tried to settle her case for a $9,000 settlement. Instead, Annette chose to continue her case with us and we obtained a car accident settlement amount of $125,000 for her.
- In 2018, a client was read ended by a negligent driver, which resulted in severe injuries. Danielle was treated in the ER for an airbag burn to the arm, soft tissue neck injury, as well as back injury injections. Her settlement amounted to $165,000, which covered the cost of her medical treatment, property damage, and other compensation requested.
- In 2020, a client sustained injuries after being rear-ended in her parked car. Before the accident, Elizabeth had a previous back injury that was reinjured during the car accident. This reinjury required surgical intervention. Even though she was found to be partially at fault, we were able to obtain a settlement of $300,000 to cover the cost of her medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- In 2020, another client was a pedestrian struck by a Highway Patrol vehicle. Due to the Highway Patrolmen’s negligence, she sustained soft tissue injuries, road rash, and hematomas. After obtaining our services, we were able to negotiate a settlement amount of $95,000 for her medical bills and pain and suffering.
- In October 2021, a past client was sitting in his parked car when a drunk driver struck his vehicle. He sustained soft tissue injuries in the accident, which resulted in a settlement of $35,800 to compensate for his injuries.
- In December 2020, a client was driving down highway 544 when he was struck by a drunk driver. He sustained soft tissue injuries and went to the ER to be treated. We were able to obtain a settlement of $80,463 to compensate for his property damage and injuries.
What Effects The Value Of A Myrtle Beach Car Accident Settlement?
The reality is, that every car accident claim is going to be valued differently based on various factors. Because of this, calculating an average settlement amount is difficult. Even if two car accidents result in the same type of injuries, their settlement amounts may differ because of the motorist’s personal circumstances and other factors relevant to their individual cases.
Car accident victims often want to know how to calculate the value of their claims. In Myrtle Beach, car accident injury claims are valued based on several factors, including, but not limited to:
Comparative Fault
In a car accident, determining fault is the key to receiving financial compensation for damages. The victim of a car accident may be entitled to all accident-related damages if the negligent driver was 100% to blame. It is possible, however, that the driver will not receive 100% of their original claim if they are partially to blame.
In South Carolina, comparative fault laws apply. A proportional reduction in a victim’s compensation claim is required under comparative fault law. Consequently, a driver who is assigned 25% fault on a $100,000 claim will only receive $75,000 as a settlement. The amount of their settlement that they are not responsible for is the only amount they are entitled to receive. Car accident victims’ claim values can still be substantial despite a percentage of fault. Insurers rarely determine a driver’s fault accurately, nor are they honest about it. It is much more accurate to determine the amount of the claim by hiring a car accident attorney who has the victim’s best interests at heart.
Diagnosis & Recovery
An appropriate car accident settlement value depends on the severity and extent of the victim’s injuries. Therefore, it is essential for the victim to receive a thorough and accurate diagnosis, as well as retain any knowledge necessary to make them aware of their long-term medical treatment. Additionally, the value of a claim will increase if the victim suffers permanent disabilities or has a shortened life expectancy due to their injuries.
It is essential to seek medical treatment after being involved in a car accident. Not only will seeking medical assistance catch any injuries that haven’t presented themselves yet, but it will also prove to insurance companies and courts that the injuries were in fact due to the car accident. Once the victim is seen by medical professionals, any injuries will be recorded, which is also essential for a comprehensive and strong settlement claim.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
A victim’s injuries are often denied by insurance companies, and their preexisting conditions are cited as the cause. Unlike pre-existing conditions, car accident victims do have a right to seek compensation if they sustain any additional injuries or complications due to the accident. If the victim has an old injury that is reinjured as a direct result of the car accident, they can seek compensation to treat the injury.
Ways To Avoid Hurting Car Accident Settlement Amount In Myrtle Beach
Car accident victims can make certain mistakes while trying to obtain compensation for their injuries, property damage, lost wages, and any other damages. Even the tiniest slip-up can result in a car accident victim losing thousands of dollars worth of compensation. Here are the top mistakes that are made by car accident victims when trying to obtain compensation.
Don’t Talk To Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are not the victim’s friends. They will do anything possible to give the victim as little compensation as possible, therefore they will use anything the victim provides against them. It’s important to be cordial, but not submissive. Going into insurance adjuster meetings with a firm hand and clear mind will ensure the insurance adjusters do not use the victim as a door mat.
Additionally, do not give the insurance company or adjuster a social security number. It is illegal for them to use it to perform a background check or pull a credit report, but they will do anything in their power to find information that can be used against the victim. DO NOT GIVE THEM A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS.
Having an experienced car accident attorney by their side will prevent the insurance companies from taking advantage of the victim.
Don’t Accept The Adjusters First Offer
When a car accident victim first files an injury claim, the adjuster may contact them with an initial offer. In the case of minimal settlement offers, the victim may be willing to take them if they only want to be compensated for a few medical expenses and lost wages. However, it is highly likely that the initial offer is much lower than what the actual claim is worth unless the victim has fully recovered.
Until the victim has fully recovered from their injuries, it’s acceptable to tell the insurance adjuster that they will not be able to discuss a settlement amount until they have fully healed. It is also wise to never discuss settlement amounts or anything else with an insurance adjuster unless the victim’s attorney is present to represent them adequately.
Don’t Discuss Pre-existing Injuries
Avoid discussing pre-existing injuries. A prior injury can set back the victim’s claims process if they admit pre-existing injuries too soon. When told about the pre-existing injury, it is likely that the adjuster will say the recent injury is merely an increase in the previous injury. In order to determine whether one injury is related to another, the victim needs to consult a physician. The victim should talk to their doctor about how their current symptoms differ from those the victim experienced after their previous injury.
It’s not unusual for x-rays or scans to reveal age-related conditions that the victim previously did not know about. It’s important that the victim emphasizes that they were not experiencing any pain or limitations prior to the accident.
Hire An Attorney That Is A Top-Rated Car Accident Settlement Specialist
Car accidents can be traumatic experiences, you need to know that the attorney you hire is 100% on your side and looking out for your best interests. Our team is ready to go to work for you, gathering evidence and ensuring the best outcome possible. Give us a call today to discuss your case during a free case evaluation!
What A Happy Client Says About The Lovely Law Firm on Google
Sarah Austin and her assistants were awesome. I was not getting a fair hearing from my insurance company who also represented the person whose fault the accident was. They were so efficient and knowledgeable about everything and made sure I understood the process. In what I considered a timely manner I did receive a settlement ( The most I could get). their Kindness was only exceeded by their excellence of work. I would highly recommend The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers!!!
Elizabeth L.
We’re proud of our team’s hard work, resulting in a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google
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