Investigator photographing skid marks and vehicle damage at a fatal car crash scene in South Carolina

There is no specific evidence needed for a wrongful death lawsuit following a car accident in South Carolina. Rather, wrongful death cases are won or lost based on the preponderance of the evidence. In other words, the plaintiffs who have filed the lawsuit must provide enough evidence of various types to convince the court that…

Person filling out a personal injury claim form before the South Carolina filing deadline

While filing a personal injury claim with an insurance company and filing a lawsuit in court are both paths to pursuing compensation from an at-fault party, the processes are not the same. The first involves filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, while the second goes through the formal legal system when…

Two drivers exchanging insurance information after a minor car accident in South Carolina

Not always. If nobody was hurt in the car crash, the damage is limited, and the other driver’s insurance company has accepted fault, you might be able to handle the insurance claim yourself. The trouble is, a crash that looks minor at the scene doesn’t always stay that way. Insurance companies train adjusters to settle…

Doctor reviewing a patient's medical records to document a pre-existing condition worsened in a South Carolina accident

Were you recently in an accident in South Carolina that worsened a pre-existing injury or underlying medical condition? If so, the insurance company might tell you that it should not have to pay you for a prior medical issue you already had at the time the policyholder injured you. However, state law holds that you…

Driver declining a phone call from an insurance adjuster asking for a recorded statement after a car accident

Within days of a car accident, you’ll start receiving phone calls and other communications from various parties involved in the claims process, including the other driver’s insurance company. The adjuster may ask you to give a recorded statement, and you might reasonably wonder, “Can I refuse a recorded statement to the insurance company?” Can You…

accident of a teenage driver in South Carolina.

South Carolina parent liability for a teen car accident may arise in certain cases where a parent provides the vehicle, owns it, or contributes to the conditions that led to the crash. Due to the potential complexity of these cases and the significant harm a car accident can cause, injured people may have questions about…

A driver's seatbelt in a car, representing how South Carolina seatbelt laws apply to personal injury cases

Were you involved in a car accident in South Carolina and not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the crash? You may wonder whether being in a car accident without a seatbelt can affect your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and related losses. Rest assured that your decision not to wear a…

A motorcyclist riding in traffic on a South Carolina highway where drivers need to visually check before changing lanes

Changing lanes may be the most underestimated driving hazard for both car drivers and the motorcyclists they share the road with. Every time you switch lanes without carefully checking your surroundings, you run a greater risk of causing a fatal collision than you might realize. If you want to protect lives and reduce your own…

Punitive damages in South Carolina personal injury cases

Most South Carolina personal injury claims seek compensation for financial and non-economic losses resulting from an accident. However, some cases involve another category of compensation called punitive damages. What are punitive damages in a lawsuit, and when does an injured person qualify for them? Here is an overview of punitive damages and when South Carolina…

Woman on Cell Phone While Driving, Hands on Wheel, Head Resting on Steering Wheel, Stressed, Distracted Driving, Car Interior

Is South Carolina a hands-free state? As of September 1, 2025, the answer is yes. The South Carolina hands-free law took effect under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act. The new driving and phone law limits how South Carolina motorists can use mobile phones and other devices while driving. South Carolina’s new hands-free law establishes…