In a serious car accident in South Carolina?
Get the compensation you deserve!
Car accident lawyer Nicholas Callas has the experience and the determination that you need to get full and fair compensation for your injuries involving the most serious car accidents in SC.
Our goal in every case is to get the maximum compensation available under SC law for people involved in the most serious car accidents.
Here’s what we’ll do.
When you contact the Law Office of Nicholas G. Callas P.A., we will:
- Meet with you to answer your questions, to learn about your case, and to ensure that we are the right law firm for you,
- Investigate your car wreck to determine who is liable, to determine the extent of your potential damages, and to ensure you have a valid car accident claim under SC law,
- Gather evidence of liability and your medical records to present your demand for payment and documentation to the insurance company,
- Retain experts as appropriate to prove liability and the extent of your damages,
- Demand full and fair compensation from the insurance company, and
- Litigate your case up to and including a jury trial if the insurance companies do not pay.
You need a car accident lawyer in Columbia, SC, who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
You may have realized that the other driver’s insurance company will not try to help you.
In fact, they may often refuse to pay or try to get you to make statements that could hurt your case.
Ultimately, they want nothing more than to shut down your SC car accident claim.
When all else fails, they may offer you “nuisance money” to get you to go away.
Unfortunately, the insurance company doesn’t care that you have just suffered a sudden and tragic event that left you hospitalized, out of work, and owing thousands of dollars for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other unanticipated costs – their job is to save money.
While the insurance company may be responsible for compensating you, they may be unwilling to compensate you fairly and appropriately unless they know that you:
- Can prove liability and damages
- Retain an attorney and take legal action
The insurance company will be particularly concerned if your car accident results in long-term disability, multiple passenger injuries, or fatalities.
Beware of their tactics to push you into signing a release before your car accident lawyer can intervene.
That’s also when you’ll learn exactly how much they are obligated to pay.
Always remember that insurance companies are in business to make money.
One way they do that is by refusing to pay every claim or paying much less than each claim is worth!
Don’t fall into their trap!
Stay cautious and seek legal assistance to safeguard your rights.
Things You Should Do After A Car Wreck in South Carolina
1. Call Law Enforcement
Immediately call law enforcement to investigate the crash and issue an accident report.
2. Gather Evidence
Take photographs or videos of the vehicle damage, any injuries, and the roadway. Get a copy of the accident report and contact information from any witnesses.
3. Medical Attention
Get medical attention immediately and follow up on any recommendations from your doctors. Document all injuries and identify any “delayed-onset injuries” immediately.
4. Contact Attorney
Contact a car accident lawyer like Nick Callas immediately after a wreck. Your lawyer needs to investigate and gather evidence of liability as soon as possible.
5. Insurance Company
Get legal advice before talking to insurance adjusters. Let your car wreck lawyer handle communications with the insurance company. Don’t give any statements after the accident. Your attorney will gather evidence of liability and damages, retain experts when needed, demand payment, and prepare your case for trial if needed.
Accidents We Routinely
Handle
- Car Accidents
- Eighteen-Wheeler Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Uninsured / Underinsured Claims
FAQS ABOUT car accidents in south carolina
Here’s a list of the most common questions we receive from people involved in a car accident in South Carolina.
Do you need experts to prove my claim?
You may need expert witnesses who can consult with us or provide testimony to establish liability or damages, particularly when you suffer a serious car crash with severe or long-term injuries.
Some examples include:
- Accident reconstructionists,
- Medical experts,
- Economists,
- Life care planners, or
- Any expert who can explain complex issues regarding damages or liability to a jury.
What kinds of damages am I entitled to after a car wreck?
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses and future medical expenses, including long-term care when needed,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress/ emotional or mental injuries like PTSD,
- Compensation for scarring or disfigurement,
- Loss of consortium or loss of companionship, and
- Punitive damages when appropriate.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
Your car wreck lawyer will help you to determine liability before they accept your case.
If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence and you suffered damages, you have a valid case.
If the accident was caused by your negligence, you cannot sue and you might get sued by the other driver.
If liability is in question, or if you were partly at fault for the crash, you may still be able to recover under SC’s modified comparative negligence rule. If you were 50% or less at fault for the crash, you can recover damages but they are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you were more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.
Can I recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
SC law says that failure to wear a seatbelt is not comparative negligence and it is not “assumption of the risk.”
Even if you suffered injuries that would not have happened if you were wearing a seatbelt, it is not a defense for the insurance company and it is not something they can bring up in court – you are still entitled to full compensation for your injuries.
How long does a car wreck settlement take?
Some car accident cases settle quickly when liability is clear, and damages are low. However, the insurance company is likely to demand proof in more serious car wreck cases. It may force you to file a lawsuit, take depositions, and litigate your case through mediation, the eve of trial, and possibly even to a jury verdict.
Our goal is to settle each client’s case for its full value as quickly as possible, but that process could take weeks to years, depending on the facts of each case and whether the insurance company agrees to settle.
REVIEWS FROM CLIENTS
The Rules of Professional Conduct require disclosure that this is a “Testimonial” about the attorney.
Please be aware that any result achieved on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
Nick Callas spent over a half hour explaining things to me that my last attorney failed to tell me. I have some appointments to make but as soon as I’m done Nick will be my first call! He was informative, knowledgeable, and understanding. Plus he was easy to talk to.
Trish Marsello – Client
I needed a second opinion on my disability approval. I’d been approved, but not for retroactive payments. I called the Callas Law Firm and spoke directly with Mr. Callas, which was refreshing. He advised me beyond my expectations in a friendly, kind and respectful manner. I highly recommend counsel like him and his firm. Thank you, Mr. Callas.
Eve Morales – Client
Mr. Callas was a tremendous asset in my workers compensation case. He was always on top of everything involved in my case. He doesn’t let the otherside sit on their hands and beat around the bush. He gets the job done.
Steven Howard – Client
READY TO SPEAK WITH A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER?
It won’t cost you anything to speak with an attorney about your case.
1901 Gadsden Street, Suite B
Columbia, SC 29201
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
***Available after hours and by appointments***
Serving all of Lexington and Richland County.
Law Office of Nicholas G. Callas PA represents clients throughout South Carolina including Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Sumter and parts of North Carolina including Charlotte.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
