If you or somebody that you love has recently been in a car accident then it may be important that you understand the basics around automobile insurance laws and regulations in South Carolina. Automobile accidents might have emotional, physical, and financial impacts on the parties involved, so it is important that you have full coverage or reimbursement for the harm you might have experienced as a result of the incident.
South Carolina is a fault car insurance state, which is a system in which the person who was legally at-fault for causing the car accident is liable for the damages that occurred as a result of the crash. The amount owed to the party that was injured depends on the severity of the losses, including vehicle and personal damage. This is why it is necessary for individuals to have car insurance so that it will cover the cost of damages for the person injured and who suffered property damage. There are three ways in which somebody can seek compensation after a car accident, which includes filing a claim with your own car insurance, a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court, or a claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance. If you choose to file with your own insurance then your company should turn around and seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
If you are out of state it is important to know that some areas of the country are no-fault states, which means that somebody injured in an accident must first use his own insurance coverage or reach a threshold in the cost of damages before pursuing another person’s insurance. Although South Carolina is not a no-fault state it is important to know the stipulations when you are traveling.
The state requires that residents who own a car also carry a minimum liability insurance to protect both the driver and other people involved in the accident. The minimum liability insurance requirements are intended to cover medical bills and property damage that may be too costly for an individual to pay on their own. Vehicle owners may want to increase their coverage above the minimum so that the damages sustained during an accident will be covered by your policy.
If you have been in a car accident then the Solomon Law Group is here to help you navigate the legal system as well as insurance requirements. We can support you in collecting lost wages, investigating the accident, as well as provide expert consultations when required by your insurance company. Although many automobile accidents in Columbia are settled out of court through negotiation, we can help you file a lawsuit on your behalf and prepare for a trial in case you do not receive fair compensation. You can contact us to set up a free consultation by calling 803-219-8870 or by visiting us online.
