CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

COLUMBIA · LEXINGTON · WEST COLUMBIA · CAYCE

Social Security Disability Attorney in Columbia, SC

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.

How do we do that?

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.

Car accident lawyer Nick Callas can help you to get the compensation you deserve and need.

You may have come to the realization that the other driver’s insurance company is not going to try to help you. In fact, oftentimes they may refuse to pay or they will try to get you to make statements that could hurt your case and ultimately they would like nothing more than to shut down your SC car accident claim. When all else fails they may offer you “nuisance money” in an attempt to get you to go away.

The bottom line is, insurance companies are in business to make money, and one way they do that is by refusing to pay every claim that they can or by paying much less than each claim is worth!

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.

The insurance company doesn’t care that their insured negligently caused your injuries which makes their company responsible – unless they know that 1) you can prove liability and damages and 2) you have retained a car accident lawyer who will force them to pay by taking your case to a jury trial when necessary.

When you have experienced a serious car wreck that may have caused long-term disability, injuries to multiple passengers, or even someone’s death, the other driver’s insurance company will be especially concerned – and especially eager to get you to sign a release before your car wreck attorney gets involved and you learn exactly how much they are obligated to pay.

Things You Should Do After A Car Wreck in South Carolina

 

  1. Immediately call law enforcement so they can investigate the crash and issue an accident report. 
  2. Gather evidence when it is safe to do so – take photographs or video of the damage to the vehicles, any injuries, and the roadway, get a copy of the accident report, and get contact information for any witnesses on the scene.
  3. Get medical attention immediately and follow up on any recommendations from your doctors. You will need to document all injuries and identify any “delayed onset injuries” as soon as possible. 
  4. Contact a car accident lawyer such as Nick Callas immediately after the car wreck – your lawyer will need to investigate the crash and gather evidence of liability as soon as possible after the crash, and you will need legal advice before the insurance company’s adjusters start calling you. 
  5. Let your car accident lawyer handle communications with the insurance company. Do not give them any statements after the car wreck, and your attorney will do the heavy lifting for you – gathering evidence of liability and damages, retaining experts when appropriate, demanding payment from the insurance company, and preparing your case for trial if the insurance company does not agree to full and fair compensation.

  • Car Accidents
  • Eighteen-Wheeler Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Uninsured / Underinsured Claims

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

My Case has been ongoing for 7 years before settlement was reached. It was a difficult case with many hurdles to cross, through due diligence and hard work my case was finally settled to my satisfaction. Thanks to the Callas Law firm for all their hard work and patience to reach this settlement.

 

Giles Long – Client

I truly recommend Mr. Nicholas Callas Law Firm to anyone who’s in need. From the beginning when I first walked in, Mr. Nick and Merridy have really been welcoming and personal with me. They made sure that I was involved with everything. Thanks again!

 

Raymond Gathers – Client

Types of Auto Accidents We Routinely Handle

  • Car Accidents
  • Eighteen-Wheeler Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Uninsured / Underinsured Claims

The Most Common Questions We Get Asked Are…

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 to a jury regarding damages or liability.

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 when the damages are low. In more serious car wreck cases, however, the insurance company is likely to demand proof and 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 anywhere from weeks to years depending on the facts of each case and whether the insurance company agrees to settle.

READY TO SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY?

It won’t cost you anything to speak with an attorney about your case.

Law Office of Nicholas G. Callas PA
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.

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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.