What if there is not enough insurance to cover my damages?
In a car wreck in South Carolina, drivers are only required by law to carry insurance in the amount of $25,000 for bodily injury coverage. So what happens if your damages are more than $25,000? The ambulance bill and emergency room trauma bill alone are like in excess of the state minimums. Unfortunately we see this everyday in our injury practice. When this scenario arises, we attempt to discover other avenues of recovery. Find out more about the car insurance claim process.
Does the client have UIM insurance?
UIM insurance is not required in South Carolina. When you are purchasing your policy however, your agent must make you a meaningful offer of UIM coverage. UIM coverage, or under insured motorist coverage, is triggered when the above scenario takes place. Essentially, your insurance company steps into the shoes of the at fault driver and provides coverage for your damages up tot he policy limits you purchased. We evaluate the existence of this insurance after you are signed as a client. This way there is no delay in your case. I have written a detailed explanation of UIM insurance in this post.
Are there any potential third party Product Liability claims?
In some auto accidents with severe injuries and when insurance is inadequate, we investigate the potential for a third party products liability claim. As a personal injury law firm, we must examine all recovery avenues before settling a client’s case. These claims often invovle auto product defects. Some Red flags we look for are :
- A minor collision at low speeds that results in catastrophic injury or even death.
- An accident where one occupant is injured severely or killed when everyone else in the vehicle was unhurt
- A noticeable part of the vehicle failed, such as a tire blown or detread, roof crush or seat back failure.
In all of these common scenarios, something just isn’t normal and investigation needs to taker place to see if the product manufacturer can be held liable.
If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to investigate the potential sources of recovery for yourself and your family. Call our car accident lawyer to discuss your case and we can guide you in the right direction. 843-839-4111
