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Car Accidents
HawkLaw Fights for Myrtle Beach
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Car Accident Lawyer Serving Myrtle Beach

After a car accident in Myrtle Beach, you have several issues to deal with, especially when someone else’s mistakes behind the wheel left you suffering and struggling financially.

Making sure you are fairly covered for your medical expenses and the damage to your car is critical at this time. Yet, as you are recovering from the accident, you may be tempted to give in to the insurance companies and take a settlement that is too low. You just want to get these costs covered.

HawkLaw has car accident lawyers in Myrtle Beach who can protect you. Contact us today to learn more about what you can do to ensure fair compensation after a crash. Don’t go it alone!  Myrtle Beach cases are primarily handled out of our Charleston office.

ESTABLISHED LAWYERS RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE. ALWAYS. ANYWHERE.

Common Car Accident Causes

Car accidents occur for many reasons. Sometimes, an accident occurs through no fault of your own. That does not mean you have to suffer financial losses. Here are some common reasons Myrtle Beach, South Carolina car accidents occur.

Distracted Driving: Driver distraction is a common cause of avoidable car accidents. A person may be paying attention to their phone, perhaps texting a friend. Others may be eating, applying makeup, or in a heated argument with someone else in the car. The driver is not paying attention to what is happening on the road because their focus is on other things. This distraction puts every other person on the road at risk, along with any passengers in the vehicle.

Failing To Follow Posted Signs: This often falls under distraction, however, sometimes drivers just do not pay attention to what’s happening on the roadway. Signs may warn of a road closure, lanes shifting, or speed limit reductions that are significant. Construction is sometimes a big factor in this situation as well.

Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving or reckless driving is a common cause of car accidents. A person may be speeding and lose control of their car. They may be unable to stop after driving recklessly in between lanes or swerving. Other times, there is true road rage occurring, where drivers aggressively try to interfere with another driver on the road. All of these situations can lead to costly accidents and personal injury losses.

Driving Under the Influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone on the road at risk. A person above the legal limit is typically unable to control their vehicle, especially when conditions change. When a person is drunk driving, they may drive too slow or too fast. They may be unable to stay within the lane or may be unable to navigate turns well. This can cause an impact to another car or person on the road with them.

These are just a few examples of accidents that may cause property damage, accident injuries, or even wrongful death. If these or another common cause occurs, contact a Myrtle Beach car accident attorney for immediate help after your car crash.

What Kind of Auto Accident Claims Can You File?

Accident victims may struggle with numerous losses after a car accident case. Sometimes, you may not know all of the losses you have, but the insurance adjuster is likely to work hard to get you to process your claim and settle it right away. That is not what you want to happen. After a Myrtle Beach auto accident, reach out to your attorney to learn about all the potential losses you’ve had. Here are some common examples that insurance policies typically cover if you file a claim for them (though they may fight you on the process):

Accident Injuries: You or a loved one may have multiple injuries after a car accident. Some of those injuries may include significant pain and suffering. You may be unable to engage in activities you once loved because of those losses or may not be able to work.

Lost Wages: Did you miss work due to your injuries? If so, you could have lost wages and may even have lost vacation or PTO time, losses related to your benefits, and other concerns. In addition, if you lost time at work to attend legal hearings on your case, that might also be a factor in your claim.

Medical bills: Depending on the severity of your car wreck, you may have numerous losses leading to medical bills. It is always wise to see medical attention after an accident, even if you feel fine. From that first appointment in the emergency room after your accident to those follow-up appointments that come months later, these may all be a component of your claim.

Property damage: Many personal injury cases involve losses to vehicles. There may be significant damage to your vehicle and the contents within it. Your passengers may also be facing losses to their belongings.

Wrongful death: No monetary amount makes up for losing a loved one. Yet, you should receive financial support if that person supported you and provided for your way of life and someone else causes their death. Your Myrtle Beach accident lawyer will help you pursue proper recovery of these losses.

How To Deal With South Carolina Insurers

Insurance companies are for-profit companies. Insurance adjusters are not working for you — they are working to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out for your case. They will do all they can to avoid settling with you for the full worth of your claim. Even if they seem friendly, they typically are looking for ways to reduce your claim.

A case evaluation can help you get fair compensation after a car wreck. Seek out the legal advice and guidance from a local attorney experienced in motor vehicle accidents like yours, especially in complex cases such as DUI, truck accidents, or those that rely on witness statements.

South Carolina is a fault state for motor vehicle accidents, meaning the driver at fault is responsible for some or all of the losses caused to another person. For you, that means you’ll have the option to take your claim to the insurance company or, if they fail to compensate you fairly, to court. Talk to your car accident lawyer about the best option for your claim. A law firm will help minimize these risks.

Be Cautious About Shared Fault

If the insurance adjuster pushes for shared fault, be careful. While you may be focusing on proving the other person is at fault, they may be working to prove you are at least partially at fault, which may impact the compensation you receive.

For example, you may have been texting while driving. While you stayed in your lane, you were not paying attention when another car moved into your lane and hit you. While you did not cause the accident, the defense may claim that you were partly responsible by not paying attention.

Let’s say they claim you were 15 percent at fault for the car wreck. If you do not fight back, you will only receive 85 percent of the compensation you need to recover. If you’re concerned about protecting your claim, set up a consultation with a personal injury attorney to discuss your case fully. He or she will work closely with you to try and prove that you were not responsible for the losses that occurred.

Also, remember that insurance adjusters will use any information you communicate about the case against you. If you post information on social media about what you were doing, that could be admissible in court. If you make a mistake describing your case to an adjuster, they could turn your words around on you. For these reasons, it is always best to leave all communication between you and the personal injury lawyer and then let them handle the insurance company.

When Do You Need Legal Advice After a Car Accident?

It’s always best to have a free case evaluation* even if you think your case is simple and straightforward. Get legal help if the insurance policies are unclear or you are questioning the process being used. It is also important to get help if you are named as an at-fault party in the case. If you have received compensation for your case, but you have bills that are higher than this, or you believe you are owed more, reach out for immediate help.

Why Call Our Myrtle Beach Car Accident Law Office?

With an attorney-client relationship established, what you tell your auto accident attorney is protected and remains private. You can discuss any legal issues you are facing from the accident and get help with everything from police reports to filing a claim with the insurance company. With our years of experience and being paid on a contingency fee*, we are confident we can help you.

Our compassionate legal team is here to help you no matter what you face. We have ample experience working with insurance companies. We provide tenacious fighting for fair compensation for our clients.

We understand how tough it can be to get the full compensation you deserve, so we will help you fight back when you’re struggling to recover. Request a free consultation* today. Call 888-HAWK-LAW or complete the online contact form to speak with an experienced Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer at HawkLaw. Our Myrtle Beach office is ready to talk to you about your case. We help individuals in North Charleston, Columbia, and the rest of the Myrtle Beach area.


John D. Hawkins
Founder and CEO

John Hawkins is the Founder and CEO of HawkLaw He has been licensed to practice law in South Carolina since his graduation with honors in 1994 from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was on the Law Review and Order of Wig and Robe.