How much can I expect from my car accident claim?

If you were involved in a car accident, you may be looking to pursue damages for medical costs, property damage and lost wages. Doing so isn't easy, however. Not only will you need the right attorney on your side to advocate for you, the process can take several months.

The South Carolina car accident attorneys at Twenge + Twombley Law Firm offer some important tips on how to pursue a car accident claim and what to expect.

How should I get started?

It's important that you first get medical attention after a crash. Waiting too long can be harmful for two reasons:

• If your injury isn't identified and treated, it could get worse. Some injuries can take several days to produce symptoms.
• The at-fault driver's insurance company can argue that your injuries are exaggerated if you wait too long. This can hurt your chances of getting compensated.

It's also important that you never speak to the at-fault driver's insurance company. You must report your crash to your insurance company, while sticking only to the facts. The other driver's insurance company will likely contact you by phone. If you answer, anything you say will be recorded and can be leveraged against you. Don't fall for an insurance company's trick questions. Instead, let an experienced car accident attorney deal with them on your behalf.

How much can I expect to be compensated?

There's no way to put an up-front estimate on how much you can be compensated. Your attorney will need to look at your current medical expenses and diagnosis to determine if there will be any future medical costs. For example,  if you sustained a severe injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or serious bone fracture, you may need to undergo surgery and months of physical therapy.

In addition, your attorney will need to determine how much you are eligible for in wage reimbursement, property damage and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

All of this can take some time. Your attorney can begin advocating for a fair settlement once all the pieces are put together. This may also involve an in-depth investigation into how your crash occurred and who was at fault. In order to have a successful claim, there needs to be supporting evidence. This can include:

• Witness statements
• Video footage from surveillance cameras or dash cams
• A police report
• Arrests and/or citations
• Digital evidence from cellphone records and social media accounts

The attorneys at Twenge + Twombley are dedicated to helping crash victims and their families get the compensation they deserve. To set up your free case evaluation, contact us online. We serve clients in Beaufort, Bluffton & Hilton Head.