Timelines for Resolving Car Accident Claims

The physical injuries that a person sustains in a car accident can be severe, leading to permanent disability. Recovering from these injuries can be a long process, involving surgeries, months of rehab, and countless doctor’s visits. While South Carolina law stipulates that insurance companies should pay claims in a prompt and reasonable amount of time, no specific deadlines are enforced. Given the physical, emotional, and financial toll that you are under, the last thing you need is a drawn-out claims process.

At The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., we understand the necessity of having a car accident claim resolved quickly and efficiently. If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, our Conway, SC, car accident attorneys are here to fight for the compensation that you deserve.

Factors Impacting an Insurance Claim

There are several factors that can affect the amount of time it takes to resolve a car accident claim in Conway, SC. In a car accident, claims for bodily injury and property damage are often handled separately. Below we discuss the most significant factors that impact the timeline for resolving a bodily injury claim.

Extent of Your Injuries

Perhaps the most significant factor is the extent and severity of your injuries. More severe injuries will require a longer recovery period, meaning greater damages or accident-incurred losses. In a car accident, common damages include lost income and medical expenses. Depending on your condition, medical expenses can be wide-ranging, but often involve the cost of ambulatory services, emergency room care, surgeries, rehabilitative therapies, and ongoing treatment.

A car accident claim cannot be resolved until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Determined by a physician, MMI is the point at which you will no longer make any meaningful physical recovery. With more severe injuries, it may take several months or even more than a year to reach MMI.

Amount of Relevant Evidence

The amount of relevant evidence will also impact how long it takes to resolve your claim. If photographs, video footage, or eyewitness testimony are available to corroborate your version of events, this can streamline your accident claim. If there is a scarcity of evidence, then insurance will need more time to investigate.

Additionally, South Carolina law requires that you call the police in certain situations, including if anyone was injured or killed, if property damage exceeds $1,000, or if you were involved in a hit-and-run. The officer who responds to the scene will issue a police report, which is another piece of evidence that can support your case.

Your Degree of Fault

The state of South Carolina requires that motorists carry a minimum of $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, $50,000 for all persons injured in a single accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Since South Carolina is an at-fault state, the driver determined to be liable for the accident will be responsible for paying the injured party’s costs. So, if you were injured but the other driver caused the crash, then you will file any claims through their insurance (known as filing a “third-party claim”).

Third-party claims often take longer than if you filed through your own insurance. That’s because the other driver’s insurance carrier has no contractual obligation to you. Third-party claims often result in negotiations and a longer processing time, with the insurance company attempting to pay out less than the value of your claim.

At The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., our Conway, SC, car accident attorneys are familiar with the games that insurance companies play. We are not intimidated by their strategies to deprive you of the money that is rightfully due to you. If the insurance company insists on offering low settlements, we will take your case to court.

Speak with a Conway, SC, Car Accident Lawyer Today

A collision can prevent you from working, taking care of your family, and living a normal life. At The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., our legal team has helped countless clients recover their just award. If you are ready to learn the true worth of your car accident case, do not hesitate to contact our legal team. To schedule a meeting with one of our Conway, SC, car accident attorneys, contact us online or by calling (843) 248-3177 today.