What To Do If You Slip And Fall At A Friend’s House

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Having to file a claim against a stranger for a slip and fall accident can be awkward. You can imagine how awkward it must be when you slip and fall at a friend’s house. It’s bad enough you fall and hurt yourself. The last thing you want to do is sue someone for something like a slip and fall. But you certainly don’t want to have to do this to a friend. You may even ask yourself what’s more important: receiving compensation for your injuries or keeping a friend? The good news is, you can do both!

It’s easy for someone to tell you that there’s nothing wrong with suing a friend. It’s a whole other thing to actually do it. What you have to remember is that you’re not really filing suit against a friend. You’re filing a claim against a friend’s insurance company. There’s a reason why we pay for homeowner’s insurance. That’s because there is always the chance that someone will get hurt on our property. And, most of the people who come on our property are friends and family. There’s always the chance that a friend or family member will fall and get hurt in our house. That’s why we pay for insurance!

Let Your Personal Injury Lawyer In South Carolina Deal With The Insurance Company

The hardest part about suffering a slip and fall accident at a friend’s house is telling them you intend to file a claim against their insurance. You’ll be tempted to put it off. You’re going to be afraid that they’ll be upset with you or worse, stop being your friend. However, just because they’re your friend, you can’t pay out of pocket for your injuries. If you suffer any serious injury during the fall, you’re going to need medical treatment. And treatment isn’t cheap. You may also miss time from work. You deserve to be compensated.

One way of reminding your friend that it’s nothing personal is letting an experienced personal injury attorney in South Carolina handle your claim. Let them deal with the insurance company. Explain to your friend that it’s their insurance company you’re asking to reimburse them, not your friend. They should understand. It’s not like you wanted to fall and get hurt. You’re willing to forgive them for maintaining an unsafe condition at their home. The least they can do is understand that you have to file an insurance claim.

Spartanburg Personal Injury Attorneys Will Get You The Compensation You Deserve

When you suffer a slip and fall, you’re probably going to suffer some injuries. Hopefully, your injuries are minor and you won’t need surgery or physical therapy. But if you do, you need to contact a Spartanburg personal injury attorney. Your attorney can file a claim against your friend’s homeowner’s insurance on your behalf. They will demand that you be compensated for the following:

Depending on how serious your injuries are, you may miss some time from work. If you miss more than a week or two, you’re going to need to be compensated for it. Some slip and fall injuries are so serious that you’ll need surgery. You may be in the hospital for a few days. You may need months of physical therapy after your surgery. If this is the case, your claim will be pretty substantial.

Your personal injury attorney will work with the insurance company to settle your claim. Nobody wants to go to court. Trials are expensive and time consuming. And, considering that the defendant is technically your friend, a trial is the last thing you want. Let your attorney know the relationship between you and the defendant. Tell him that you would prefer to settle the matter out of court so that it’s not long and drawn out.

Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer In Spartanburg, South Carolina

If you’ve suffered a slip and fall at a friend’s house, you need to contact a personal injury attorney in Spartanburg. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you. This way, you don’t have to make things even more awkward with your friend. It’s going to be hard enough to tell them you have to file a claim in the first place. You don’t want to make matters worse by dealing with the insurance issues all by yourself.

Falling at a friend’s house can be very awkward. The last thing you want to do is lose a friend over something like a slip and fall. The important thing is that you’re honest and upfront with your friend. Let them know you’re going to see an attorney. Reassure them that you’re filing a claim against their insurance, not them.

Contact a personal injury lawyer today. The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.

How Technology Can Prevent Distracted Driving

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In recent years, technological advancements have been happening at a tremendous pace. There’s a never-ending quest to access information and digital content in a faster and easier manner.

Sadly, the efficiency with which we are able to access information has brought some baggage with it – distraction. Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to have a quiet day. Even when you’re out of office, you keep getting inundated with endless messages and notifications.

These distractions follow you right from the time you wake up, to the time you retire to bed. What is even more concerning is that you can easily get distracted while engaged in attention-demanding activities like driving. Such distractions have resulted in numerous accidents and countless deaths on our roads. According to the NHTSA, in 2016 alone, 3,450 lives were lost due to distracted driving. And guess what is promising to come to our rescue once again, technology.

Ironical as it may sound, car manufacturers are working tirelessly to come up with innovations that are designed to save you from yourself. Isn’t it funny that we always have the option to turn off these distractions but then we deliberately choose to keep them on? In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the major technologies that have been designed to prevent distracted driving.

Improved Use Of Voice Commands

Voice recognition technology is still far from perfect. Homophones, in particular, are a hard nut to crack. How is voice recognition software supposed to distinguish between “some” and “sum”, “suite” and “sweet” etc.? Regardless of all these challenges, however, voice recognition technology has grown in leaps and bounds.

The latest car infotainment systems allow drivers to perform routine functions without taking their hands off the steering wheel. All you have to do is press a button and issue a voice command. Simply stating, “I’m feeling cold” will prompt the car to raise the temperature on the air-con. This helps to reduce the distraction on the driver since you can issue commands without shifting focus from the road.

Lane Keeping Assistance

This technology makes use of the front-facing camera on your vehicle to detect when you are drifting from your lane. It’s able to detect this through the lane markings on the road. It then gently steers you back to your lane and displays a warning message on the dashboard. Other versions will also include a vibration on the steering wheel to “wake you up”. This should let you know that your focus is not on the road, prompting you to take appropriate action.

Blocking Of Calls When Driving

Phone calls are a very popular source of distraction. They seem to create a certain sense of urgency that causes you to drop everything else and shift your attention to them. Interestingly, not all phone calls are that urgent. Most can wait until you are in a position to answer them without posing a risk to yourself. Some cellphone blocking technologies allow you to block phone calls, text messages, and internet access while driving. This effectively eliminates the likelihood of distraction from a phone call while on the wheel.

Blocking Of Internet Access While Engine Is On

This is another nifty feature of car infotainment systems which is designed to create a distraction-free environment. Vehicle manufacturers know that some of the most enticing distractions originate from the Internet. This technology is able to detect when the engine is on and effectively shuts off internet access through the car’s connection. This means that you can only browse the internet from the car when it is stationary and safe for you.

Detection When You Take Hands Off The Steering

You may want to take advantage of self-driving technology by completely taking your hands off the steering wheel. This technology is gaining traction quite fast but car manufacturers are still not fully confident with it. Though the system can steer the vehicle on its own, it can only do so for a few seconds, for now. When the vehicle detects you have taken your hands off the steering, it will display a warning message asking you to take back control. If you choose to ignore this message, the vehicle will automatically brake and eventually stop.

Spartanburg Car Accident Lawyer

Even with the latest technologies in place, accidents still do happen. In case of a car accident, getting a good lawyer is one of the smartest decisions you can make. This makes a huge difference by ensuring that you get the right compensation for damages. Finding the best car accident attorney in Spartanburg is just a click away.

The Impact Of Drowsy Driving

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“Drowsy driving” is the operation of a motor vehicle with a diminished cognitive ability, usually emanating from fatigue and sleepiness. It is also referred to as fatigued driving. Drowsiness inhibits your alertness and mimics the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the NHTSA, annually on average, drowsy driving is responsible for over 72,000 crashes. Out of these, more than 41,000 injuries were reported and over 800 lives lost. These numbers could actually be more because several cases go unreported.

Drowsy driving is a huge problem, especially in the United States. It poses a significant risk to not only the driver’s life but also those of other innocent road users.

What Causes Drowsy Driving?

Falling Asleep On The Wheel Can Be Attributed To A Number Of Factors, Key Among Them Being:

  • Sleep deprivation.
    • This is most probably the prime cause of drowsy driving. The human body needs at least 7 – 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day in order to function optimally. The truth is a majority of people operate on much less than that. You could be working for long hours, or raising an infant who keeps you awake all night, among other reasons. No matter the reason, your body logs the accumulated sleep as debt, and it may demand payback at the most inconvenient moment.
  • Sleep disorder.
    • You could be suffering from a medical condition like sleep apnea, insomnia or narcolepsy which causes irregular sleeping patterns. As a result, your body doesn’t get the recommended amount of rest. The effects of this may manifest in the form of fatigue and sleepiness especially when driving on a highway.
  • Long distance driving.
    • This is very common, especially among truck drivers. Driving continuously over long distances can be monotonous and sleep-inducing. The constant passing of environmental features while driving also creates a hypnotizing effect on drivers which can trigger drowsiness.

Signs That You Are About To Doze Off

It’s difficult to know the exact moment when you fall asleep because well, you’ll be asleep. What you can detect, however, are the warning signs that indicate sleep is on the way. When you notice any of these signs while on the road, it’s time to pull over and get some rest.

  • Drifting from your lane.
    •  When you find yourself constantly drifting from your lane while on the road, that’s a red flag. It shows that your mind is struggling to maintain focus. Sometimes you may discover this after hitting some rumble strips. When this happens, pull over at a safe place and take a nap.
  • Yawning.
    • This can signal a number of things, fatigue being one of them. If you find yourself yawning frequently while driving, your body is approaching its limits. You need to rest or swap driving duties if you have a co-driver.
  • Delayed responses
    • Being at the wheel requires you to be alert at all times. This enables you to anticipate situations before they become an emergency. For example, you can notice the car in front of you has braked and therefore start braking early. When you’re about to doze off, your alertness drops. You’ll find yourself making emergency reactions like braking or swerving abruptly. If this happens, you have been warned.
  • Nodding off.
    • Your head becomes too heavy to stay upright. It’s extremely dangerous to continue driving under such conditions. When you nod off, your body is at the point of giving up. You should pull over immediately.

How To Avoid Drowsy Driving

Here Are Some Tips You Can Follow To Ensure That You Don’t Fall Victim To The Dangers Of Fatigued Driving:

  • Ensure you are well rested before long drives.
    •  If you are feeling fatigued, a short nap can be quite revitalizing.
  • Whenever possible, drive along with a partner who can assist you when fatigue sets in.
    • Engaging in active conversation is also a great way to ensure you don’t get bored and doze off.
  • Take a break. Make stop-overs along your way to break the monotony of a long drive.
    • This will ensure that you stay alert for a long commute.

South Carolina Auto Accident Attorney

In case you are involved in an auto accident, more often than not you’ll need a helping hand. You may not be in a position to engage in legal battles or negotiations on compensation. That is why getting in touch with a reliable lawyer is considered a prudent move. An auto accident lawyer in South Carolina is your best source of advice, especially when compensation is involved.  He/she will be able to represent your needs better through negotiation with the involved parties. Even if the case proceeds to trial, you will stand a better chance of emerging victorious.

What To Do If You Get Hurt At A Hotel

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You pack up the car and head out on your family vacation, and you have the whole trip planned out. You want to do some sightseeing and do a little hiking and you want to swim in the hotel pool and get a little sun. Finally, you arrive at your hotel and settle in. Before you have a chance to change into your swimsuit, you’re in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. You slipped and fell while walking through the hotel lobby. You have two broken bones and have to stay in the hospital for surgery. This is your worst nightmare. Unfortunately, this is reality for hundreds of vacationers in South Carolina every year. Accidents happen. They’re usually caused by negligence. If you or your family are hurt in a hotel in Spartanburg, you need to contact a Spartanburg personal injury lawyer.

You Need A Spartanburg Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured due to a hotel’s negligence in South Carolina, you’re gonna need to file an insurance claim. If that claim is denied, you may need to file a personal injury suit.

The Most Common Types Of Hotel Accidents Include:

  • Parking lot and garage accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Broken steps
  • Elevator incidents
  • Improper lighting
  • Bathtub accidents
  • Car accidents involving valet drivers or hotel transport vans

When you visit a hotel, you expect to be treated with a certain level of care. You certainly don’t expect the hotel owners to keep the premises in a state of disrepair. If they do, you need to retain a personal injury lawyer.

If you’re hurt on the hotel’s premises, the first thing you need to do is seek immediate medical attention. The second thing you need to do is file a claim against their insurance company. Hotels have to maintain high insurance thresholds because of the nature of their business. However, just because you’re injured, doesn’t mean they’ll pay your claim.

The hotel may deny the claim for any number of reasons, including :

  • They don’t believe the hotel is responsible
  • They don’t think you were really injured
  • You were not a registered guest of the hotel at the time of the accident
  • You were at fault or didn’t file your claim in a timely fashion

Even if the insurance company denies your claim, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to go to trial. Nobody wants to go to trial, including the insurance company. Trials are time consuming and expensive. It is in the best interests of all involved to settle the case out of court.

Hotels In South Carolina Owe Their Guests A Duty Of Care

Thankfully, South Carolina has rules that require hotels to maintain safe premises for their guests. They must maintain clean and safe rooms, lobbies, floors and premises for their guests and visitors.

There are laws in South Carolina that protect hotel guests from accidents. As a general rule, hotels aren’t responsible for stolen property. However, they are responsible for your safety. So, if your car’s stolen from a hotel parking lot, the hotel isn’t responsible. However, if the valet driver runs you over with your car, the hotel may be liable.

Either way, you have to file a claim against the hotel insurance. Some statutes hold the hotel owner strictly liable for your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Spartanburg knows the law and will help get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact A Spartanburg Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member have been hurt at a hotel, you need to contact a Spartanburg personal injury lawyer. You’ll have to overcome a few issues. For starters, you’ve been hurt in another state while on vacation. This means you need a South Carolina personal injury attorney to handle your case so you can go home.

Some Of The Damages Your Personal Injury Lawyer Will Demand Include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Out of pocket expenses due to the incident

Contact a Spartanburg personal injury lawyer today to review your case. Your initial consultation is free. A skilled attorney can review your case and let you know what it may be worth. He can also answer any questions you may have about South Carolina hotel law. He’ll contact the hotel’s insurance company and try to negotiate a fair settlement.

The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case. The insurance company will have lawyers working for them. You need to have one working for you!

What Are The South Carolina Laws On Texting And Driving?

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Distracted driving is one of the most common practices which leads to road accidents. It refers to driving a vehicle while another activity such as texting occupies your mind. With the new age of smartphones, this has become quite the problem. More and more people are not paying attention when driving in Spartanburg, SC.

Many drivers don’t see it as a big deal to chat or reply to a “quick” text while driving. Many of them do not realize it only takes a second of distracted driving for an accident to happen. As a result, they may end up bumping into another vehicle without realizing it just as quickly. It is for this reason that South Carolina implemented strict laws against driving and texting.

These laws have been improved over the years. The police can now arrest anyone caught using their phone while driving. It is illegal, and hence, it is critical that you make yourself aware of these laws. In case you are found using your phone while driving, there is a chance that your attorney can help you. That is why you need to get in touch with him as soon as you are arrested. He will address the charges.

What Are The South Carolina Laws To Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents?

Many drivers are continually using their phones while driving without realizing the dangers of it. In South Carolina, the state started by enforcing a law preventing any texting while driving. That means if you were caught by a police officer physically on the phone while driving, you could be arrested. Texting while driving would attract a fine of between $25 and $50 for repeat offenses.

However, the state realized that this Spartanburg, SC law didn’t prevent much since people still texted and drove. Drivers got around the no texting while driving rule and started speech to text dictation. Using various apps and software, they can reply to texts without physically touching the phone. The issue is that dictating the text is just as distracting as physically typing it. As a result, the law doesn’t do much to discourage the problem.

The current law, however, allows one to use hands-free devices to make phone calls and use GPS. Some of the other exceptions provided by the bill include:

  • A driver who is legally parked or at a stop sign using his phone
  • A driver who is calling or texting to access emergency services
  • An officer who is performing duties within the legal boundaries
  • A driver who is receiving information about the state of traffic and roads on the phone.

The Spartanburg, SC rules as of now merely target anyone that physically holds a phone while they are driving. However, drivers under 18 years of age are not allowed to use hands-free services. This is because they tend to be a little more distracted when driving than adults above that age.

You May Need A Car Wreck Lawyer

There are talks to have the fine increased from $25 as police officers say that is too little. Many states impose a fine of at least $100 for first offenses up to $300 for repeat offenders. The bill also states that repeat offenders will get a few points on their driving license. When these accumulate, they could have their licenses suspended.

Since the fine for texting while driving is not too high, all you have to do is pay it. However, if you’ve been charged with other offenses, you need a lawyer. If you are charged for texting and driving along with speeding or drunk driving, you can get jailed. The problem becomes even worse when you cause an accident. You need an experienced attorney to defend you against those charges.

Contact A Spartanburg Car Accident Lawyer Today

Distracted driving is not as severe in South Carolina as it is in other states. However, if you have other charges on top of it, you may be in quite a bit of trouble. Our Spartanburg car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Brian T. Smith are experienced in this area so we may be of help. Contact us immediately if you are arrested, and we will have the best on our team come to see you. Even if you are a repeat offender our lawyers will try to get you off with a minor punishment. Talk to us today with details about your Spartanburg, SC case and let us solve it for you.

Should I Talk To The Other Insurance Company After A Laurens County, SC Car Accident?

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There are many losses that one suffers after a car accident with the worst one being personal injuries. However, there is usually damage to your vehicle which needs to be taken care of soon. For this to happen, you need to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company as soon as possible. After doing so, it is normal for them to reach out to talk to you about the crash.

If they call or request a meeting to discuss the accident and your claim, you have the right to refuse. It is a good idea that you do not talk to the insurance company. They do not have your best interests in mind. They only call so they can find something to use against you.

Because of this, it is better to let your attorney handle every aspect of interaction with the company. Let them take charge and file the claim, make the compensation offer and negotiate. You need to hire an excellent attorney to represent you and help you achieve your goals.

Why Your Laurens County Car Accident Attorney Advises Against Talking To The Other Insurance Company

You may misinterpret the Laurens County, SC insurance company reaching out to be goodwill. However, that is not the case; they exist only to serve their own needs. That is one of the primary reasons that no lawyer will advise you to talk directly with them. They will twist your thinking so much that you may not remember what you are supposed to avoid saying.

The insurance company may try to discourage you. The insurance adjuster will only call you if they realize that you have a valid claim that will cost them. As a result, they may want to discourage you by undervaluing the claim. They want you to settle for much less than you deserve.

Insurers also don’t want you to get help. They will try to get to you before you think of hiring a lawyer. That is because they know a lawyer will insist they have to pay you what you are asking.

They also want you to settle fast. The company understands that given the devastation from the accident, you are vulnerable. They may try to seem as if they care and present you a check. However, it will be for a low amount.

The call may also be the company’s way of looking for evidence against you. They may act friendly and try to get you to talk about the incident and what you think. This is not a way to show concern; it is a way for them to get information from you. They will then use what you say to justify a low settlement.

How Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help When Dealing With The Other Insurance Company?

Hiring Laurens County, SC legal counsel should be first on your list of things to do after an accident. It allows you to remain protected against any harm by the other insurance company. A lawyer can:

  • File a claim on your behalf. The lawyer will ensure that he files a claim with the insurance company before time elapses. This is so that investigations may start and you can get your compensation in good time.
  • Represent you in negotiations. Your lawyer has a clear idea of what you want, so during the negotiations, he will aim to achieve it. He will present your losses to the insurance company and try as best he can to reach your goal.
  • File a lawsuit. Sometimes it is impossible to reach an agreement out of court, so when this happens, he will file a lawsuit. He will argue your case in court presenting all the injuries and property losses that you have suffered. With him by your side, you stand to gain much more than you would have out of court.

Call A Laurens County Auto Accident Lawyer Today For Legal Assistance

If you want a chance at getting the compensation that you deserve, you need to hire an experienced auto accident lawyer in Laurens. He knows how Laurens County, SC insurance companies work and the tricks that they use against you. As a result, he is your shield that fulfills your goals. The Law Office of Brian T. Smith has handled many negotiations before. It is therefore easy for us to do it for you. Get in touch with us early enough so we may have a chance to outdo the insurance company.

What Are The Laurens County Laws On Texting And Driving?

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Many of the Laurens County, SC traffic accidents that happen are because distracted driving. Most people know that they shouldn’t use their mobile phones while behind the wheel, but most of them still do. This often has various consequences, with the major one being car crashes that cause both property and financial losses.

In a bid to prevent this, South Carolina, like most states in the country, has a law against distracted driving. The bill specifically targets those who enjoy texting while operating a vehicle. However, this law is not a deterrent for many drivers. That is why there are already more bills to change it.

If you are arrested for causing a crash due to texting and driving, you may face the consequences. Other than having to cover all the losses, you could have your license suspended. To avoid this, you need to hire the best car accident attorney to help you out. He has adequate knowledge of the law and can use it to help you get a lesser punishment.

What Is The South Carolina Law Preventing Distracted Driving Accident?

The law in South Carolina makes it illegal to read, compose, and send a text message while driving. You must lawfully parked before you can text. It is unlawful when you send any news or information on your phone, tablet or PDA while you are driving. If you are found doing so, you may get up to $25 in fines. This can increase up to $50 if you are a repeat offender.

Even with the law in place, many people still choose to text and drive since the penalties are not severe. Therefore, a bill may soon come into effect that increases the sentence by up to four times the amount. If you get arrested repeatedly, you stand to get up to $300 in fines and some points on your license.

Even though the law is lenient with those using phones while driving, it is stricter if you cause an accident. You not only stand to get fines but if you are a repeat offender, you get a jail term. To avoid this, an excellent lawyer can help defend you and get a lesser sentence. For this to happen, you need to inform him as soon as possible after the incident occurs. That is so that he can come up with the best game plan for your Laurens County, SC case.

Effects Of Distracted Driving And How A Laurens County Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

There are many disadvantages to driving while distracted. Many of them directly affect you as the liable party as well as other road users. This vice can lead to:

  • Car crashes. It only takes a second for you to cause a car accident. That is why it is essential to obey the law. The second you choose to look at your phone, you may end up bumping into another vehicle. It is also easy to stray from your lane and get into a head-on collision in Laurens County, SC.
  • Legal implications. Being caught texting while driving is not too serious an offense but causing a car crash definitely is. If your texting leads to an accident, you may end up in jail and have to pay fines.
  • Loss of property. If you end up crashing into another car, you can cause damage to your vehicle and that of others. This means that your insurance provider will have to pay for that and it may end up increasing your premiums.
  • Depending on how severe the car accident was, you and the other driver may end up injured. That means that you have to pay medical costs of both you and the other party. Your insurance company will not be too happy about paying for all of that.

Contact A Car Wreck Lawyer Today

If you find yourself in trouble with the law because of texting while driving, you need a Laurens car accident lawyer. He should help ensure that you either get lesser charges or declared innocent of the claims. If you want to work with the most excellent legal team talk to us at the Law Office of Brian T. Smith. We have the perfect legal team that is ready to evaluate your case and find the best way out. No Laurens County, SC charges are too big for us to handle, so call us today!

What Are The Benefits Of Receiving A Medical Exam After An Auto Accident In Laurens County?

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The first thing to do after a Laurens County, SC car accident is to call the emergency line. The response team usually consists of police officers and the medical team. The reason for this is so that you can get examined for any injuries that are not visible. Whether or not you caused the accident, you may end up with severe injuries if not checked. Injuries after a car crash are often internal so you may not know how bad they are. In a minor accident, for example, you may end up with a few bruises but internal bleeding as well. It is possible for you to feel perfectly fine even with internal bleeding until later when complications develop. To avoid this, you should get a medical exam whether or not you feel hurt.

Your examination report and subsequent documents make it easier for your attorney to help you get compensation. He will use this information from the doctor to explain the extent of your injuries and the amount needed. It allows you to get adequate money to enable you to get the medical attention that you need.

How Your Laurens County Car Accident Attorney Will Use Your Medical Records To Seek Compensation

Whenever you present a claim to an insurance company, they will send an insurance adjuster. Their job is to evaluate the request and the evidence and to determine how much compensation you should get.

The insurance adjuster cannot accept word of mouth when calculating injuries and damages. He needs valid proof, and that is why your medical exam report after the accident is essential. It is a way for you to prove that your injuries are real and that you should get compensation.

The adjuster will ask for all reports, tests, x-rays and other medical documents that you have about your injury. He then examines each one of them for validity since many people use fake documents to get compensated. There are times the adjuster may seek access to these records to find something to use against you. That is why you need a lawyer during this process. He is in the best position to weigh whether a request is valid.

If your attorney advised against releasing your medical records, do as he says. If the adjuster uses that move to argue that you are hiding something, your lawyer can defend you. It is easy for experienced counsel to prove that there is no relevance in requesting those documents. Your lawyer will use what is permitted to show why you deserve the amount and ensure that you get it.

Independent Medical Exam: Can Your Laurens County Auto Accident Lawyer Help?

When you don’t get a medical exam immediately after the car accident, it leads to many questions and doubts. Your insurance company will question whether you are injured to the extent that you claimed. They will also ask whether they were really caused by the Laurens County, SC crash. To prove or disprove your claims, you may be requested to get an independent medical exam.

It is a type of examination that is done by a trusted doctor recommended by the insurance company. Your provider has the right to do this as stated in your car accident policy. However, you are not obligated to accept it. You have the freedom to refuse since the doctor may be biased and may issue a report that is untrue.

A lawyer will help you decide on the best option through careful analysis of the alternatives. Sometimes agreeing to get the exam may work for you if your injuries are real and the doctor is unbiased. The best part is that if the doctor does confirm your injuries as stated, you get compensated. The Laurens County, SC insurance company, may end up paying you the full amount of your claim.

Contact A Laurens County Lawyer

You want to be on top of everything that happens after an accident. Therefore, it is best to have the examination. It is crucial to your health and wellbeing. However, it also allows you to get the compensation that you need with the help of the Law Office of Brian T. Smith. We will ensure that the adjusters get the information that is necessary for your claim. Our job is to make sure that you do not fall prey to any tricks. In the end, we guarantee that we will attain our goals.

How Do I Prove Fault In A Laurens County Car Accident?

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If you often drive within South Carolina, you probably know that it is a fault state. That means that when an accident occurs, the driver who is responsible is held liable for damages. It is an easy system that allows the person affected to seek compensation from the responsible party for a car accident.

Car crashes in Laurens County, SC often lead to various losses, both material and physical. If you are injured in an accident, you may have to spend a lot of money on treatment. Given that you did not cause the crash, you should get compensation for your losses. The only way that this can happen is by determining the responsible party and filing a claim with their insurer.

Obtaining adequate proof for your claim is not a simple process. You should, therefore, take your time to understand what is needed. The best piece to have on your game board is an excellent car crash lawyer. He is knowledgeable in matters relating to the law and car accidents. As a result, he can give the best advice on what you can do to get the compensation you need.

Can A Police Report Prove Liability? What Can Your Laurens County Car Accident Lawyer Do?

You may wonder why you need to provide proof when the Laurens County, SC police report easily does that. Well, in reality, the report does not necessarily determine the guilty party in the accident. The purpose of that document is to take into account the facts of the case.

It will state the details of the people and cars involved in the crash and what is known. The report will basically indicate the facts of the case without getting into too many details. If there is a violation of the law, it is stated in the document. However, that may not necessarily prove fault.

What is in the report includes a description of what happened based on the statements of the drivers involved. It does not state that one driver caused the accident since that is not the purpose of the document.

Your lawyer needs to do a thorough investigation into the matter to conclude what happened. He may use the information in the police report as a guide, but that is not enough. The Laurens County, SC police document is also used by the insurance companies when doing their investigations.

How A Laurens County Car Accident Attorney Uses Evidence To Prove Fault

One of the best ways of proving fault is to gather as much evidence as possible concerning the accident. The best evidence is collected while the scene of the crash is still fresh. It is for this reason that you have to get in touch with your attorney immediately after the accident. That allows him to guide you on the type of evidence that you can collect before he arrives.

You need a lot of photos showing the vehicles involved and the road. Tire marks are of particular interest so take as many pictures as possible. Talk to any eyewitnesses who will help you prove who caused the accident.

Once these are in place, your lawyer will continue with the process by compiling the evidence to show liability. He can also get expert witnesses such as car crash reconstructionists who will explain what happened based on the evidence.

Having an experienced attorney in this type of case is an absolute advantage since the case becomes simpler. He has the resources you need for your situation so that it is only a matter of getting the facts.

Once you have everything that proves the guilty party in the accident, you can then file the claim. With all the facts in place, the insurance company has no choice but to make you an offer. In case the proposal is not enough to cover your damages, your attorney can negotiate on your behalf. If you are still unable to reach an agreement, he can file a case in court for compensation.

Why Should You Hire Laurens County Car Accident Lawyer?

As the victim in a Laurens County, SC car accident, you have the right to get compensated for your loss. In some cases, the process is quite easy, but since you have to prove liability, a lawyer is invaluable. Contact our attorneys at the Law Office of Brian T. Smith for a consultation on your case. We evaluate every possible angle to ensure that you are protected from being accused. Our experienced team will work together with you to ensure that you collect all the damages that you are owed.

Why You Shouldn’t Talk To The Other Insurance Company After A Car Accident

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After a car accident occurs, regardless of the severity, the next step is usually filing a claim for compensation. If you are sure that the other driver caused the crash, you need to file a complaint with his insurer. That is one of the main reasons why you exchange Spartanburg, SC insurance information. However, the interaction between you and the other insurance company needs to be limited.

It is important that even though you didn’t cause the crash, you inform your insurance company about it. It is so that your insurance adjuster is involved in the process and you can get what you deserve. You may think of leading the negotiations by yourself, but that is a bad idea. Unless you have experience in the area, it is a better idea to let the professionals handle the case.

Other than your adjuster, another person that you have to involve is your car accident attorney. He has the experience and legal knowledge to know how to get you compensated. As a result, he has to be in the forefront of the negotiations and the whole process. That guarantees that you will have everything you need to get the perfect compensation package.

Should You Talk To The Other Insurance Company? How Can A Spartanburg Car Accident Attorney Help?

Whether or not you should talk to the other insurance provider depends on many factors. However, you should ideally not interact too much with them since it may work against you. It is best to let your Spartanburg, SC lawyer and insurance adjuster deal with the company directly. This move protects you from saying anything that could affect the outcome of your claim.

The following are some reasons why you should not talk to the other insurance company:

  • You may incriminate yourself. During the talk with the insurance company, you may end up saying things that implicate you. As a result, they may refuse to pay your claim. They may say that you were at fault based on what you said. It is quite challenging to get yourself out of such a situation. This is why you should not talk to them.
  • They may give you papers to sign. The insurance company doesn’t want to pay you a lot of money. Due to this, they may get you to sign documents that may prevent you from getting what you need. Some of these papers may be Spartanburg, SC waivers, so you end up on the losing side. For the best results, allow your lawyer to head any negotiations between the two parties.
  • They may convince you to settle. Since you don’t know how much your claim is worth, the company may convince you to settle for less. They will do this quietly and try to make it seem like that is the only offer you will get. That is never true, and if you use an excellent lawyer, you will end up with a lot more.

How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Guide You On What To Say

If you decide that you will directly interact with the other insurance company, there are things you must never do. You should not:

  • Offer opinions about the matter. Stick to the facts in the report. Do not offer any opinions since this may hurt your claim. Sticking to what is in the report will ensure the insurer does not gain any ammunition against you.
  • Offer extra information. Only answer the questions that you have been asked as they are asked. Do not go into any details since you may accidentally give them what they need to trash your claim. If you are not sure about the question, do not answer it.
  • Talk about the extent of your injuries. They will ask you questions about your injuries to get your view on them. However, this is a trap for you to downplay how serious they are. This will affect your claim amount. Do not get into the details of the damage to your vehicle.
  • Sign anything. Do not sign any document that they give you without running it by your attorney. That only puts you at risk of ending up with much less on your claim.

Why Should You Contact A Spartanburg Auto Accident Lawyer?

Allowing a Spartanburg Auto Accident attorney to handle every aspect of your claim with the other insurance company protects you. It enables you to get a chance to collect the Spartanburg, SC damages that you deserve. The Law Office of Brian T. Smith has led many car accident negotiations before. Due to our knowledge of the facts and the law, we can get you what you need.