How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Cost?

At Joye Law Firm, we know that people who are suffering from car accident-related injuries are also suffering financially. That’s why we charge nothing for our services unless we get money for our clients. You’ll never see a single bill from us unless your claim resolves successfully, and our initial consultations are always free.

How Much Compensation Am I Entitled to Receive?

The amount of compensation you may receive for your crash-related injuries depends on many factors, including their severity, your level of disability, your current and future medical bills, your current and future lost wages, your pain and suffering, the amount of insurance coverage available, and more. Our legal team works hard to ensure our clients know exactly how much money they’re owed, and we stop at nothing to ensure they’re paid in full.

How Long Do These Cases Take to Resolve?

The length of time it takes for car accident cases to finalize depends on many factors, including the length of your physical recovery, the number of drivers involved, how much evidence exists, how stubborn the insurance companies are, and more. Some cases can be settled in months, while other cases can take years to resolve. Although we work hard to finalize our clients’ cases as quickly as possible, we never settle for less money than they’re owed.

Charleston Car Accident Lawyer

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Whether you are driving slowly in downtown Charleston traffic, passing through a busy intersection on Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston, or leaving town on I-26, you or a loved one may encounter a careless driver and sustain serious injuries in a Lowcountry car wreck.

Most people who are seriously injured are not prepared for the disruption and financial stress that an accident can cause. You may be unable to work for months. You may feel anger and frustration.

You may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to move forward. You need a strong shoulder that you can lean on for trusted legal guidance during a difficult time.

Our compassionate North Charleston car accident lawyers at Joye Law Firm are ready to answer your questions during a free consultation. Since opening our doors in 1968, we have remained steadfast advocates for our clients, and have received multiple accolades for our work in the courtroom and the community. In 2023, we were voted Best Law Firm by Charleston City Paper’s reader’s choice contest. Mark Joye, the Head of our Litigation Department, assumed the role of President of the Charleston County Bar Association in 2024. He was also named Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in 2016 and Charleston Product Liability Lawyer of the Year in 2020 by Best Lawyers in America. While Managing Partner Ken Harrell was named Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in 2020 by the same organization.

How Joye Law Firm Fights for Our Clients

Our team is proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients, and there are plenty of examples of how we’ve helped people injured in North Charleston car accidents.

In one case led by attorney Mark Joye, two sisters sustained life-altering injuries in a high-speed car accident involving a Tesla in Charleston near Joe Riley stadium. The case, complicated by severe injuries and the insurance company’s misleading claims about coverage, highlighted the critical need for dedicated legal representation. After two years of litigation and mediation, a settlement of $2,417,500 was secured for the sisters. This resolution not only highlights the resilience of the victims, but also the pivotal role of knowledgeable legal representation in navigating complex personal injury claims and ensuring rightful compensation.

To see even more examples of the work we’ve done for our clients, check out our case studies.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s important to follow these steps to protect your health and your right to compensation:

Ensure Safety: Move to a safe area if you can, turn on your hazard lights, and—if it’s dark—use flares or warning triangles to alert other drivers.
Check for Injuries: Check yourself and others for injuries. Do not move anyone injured unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Call 911: Regardless of the accident’s severity, it’s important to report it. Inform the operator about the accident and any immediate medical needs. You will also want to request the police to file an accident report.
Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, insurance details, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers of all drivers involved. It’s also helpful to get contact information from any witnesses.
Document the Scene: If you’re able, take photos of the scene, including vehicle positions, damages, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Look for any potential witnesses and request their contact information.
Do Not Admit Fault: Be careful not to admit fault or make statements that could be interpreted as an admission of liability.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to get checked by a healthcare professional. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance company to report the accident, even if you weren’t at fault. Provide them with the information collected but refrain from making any statements about fault or liability.
Keep Records: Document all related expenses, such as medical bills and car repairs. Keep a record of any related communication.
Seek Legal Representation: Before accepting any settlement offers or signing documents, consult with an experienced North Charleston car accident lawyer to understand your rights and the best course of action to take to get the compensation you need.

Understanding South Carolina Car Accident Laws

In South Carolina, the laws concerning car accidents and claims include several key points:

Minimum Insurance Requirements: South Carolina law requires all drivers to have minimum amounts of liability insurance: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Comparative Negligence Rule: South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation from a trial verdict will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
Reporting Accidents: South Carolina law requires drivers to report any car accident involving bodily injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Statute of Limitations: For filing a car accident lawsuit, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, it’s imperative that you seek legal representation as soon as you are able to preserve evidence for your case since there are some exceptions to this rule.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: South Carolina law requires that all auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This covers you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance.

What Types of Damages Are Charleston Car Accident Victims Eligible to Receive?

In South Carolina, car accident victims may be entitled to various types of damages, including economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages.

Here’s how they are typically defined and calculated:

Economic Damages: These are tangible losses that have a specific monetary value. They include:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care related to the injury
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost due to the inability to work following the accident—this can include lost future earning capacity if the victim cannot return to work at the same capacity
- Property Damage: Costs for repairing or replacing the vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident

Economic damages are calculated based on bills, receipts, employment records, and expert testimony regarding future costs and lost earning potential.

Non-Economic Damages: These are subjective, non-tangible losses that do not have a direct monetary value. They include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of daily activities and hobbies
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological impact such as anxiety, depression, and trauma

Non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify and are typically assessed based on the severity and impact of the injuries on the victim’s life.

Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party’s actions were especially reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

In South Carolina, there are caps on punitive damages, generally limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.