In 2026, car accident settlements in Goose Creek can, and generally should, include both “special damages” (compensation for medical bills and lost wages) and “general damages” (compensation for pain and suffering). If you were partially (but not primarily) at fault in your car accident, your right to compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault under South Carolina’s 51% comparative negligence rule.
As a car accident victim in Goose Creek, you have clear legal rights under South Carolina law. Most importantly, you have the right to seek just compensation from the party that is responsible for your accident-related losses. In most cases, this is the driver who hit you (or his or her employer).
But, asserting your legal rights can be challenging; and, if you are entitled to financial compensation for your car accident, it is up to you to prove how much you deserve to recover. Both of these factors make it critical to have an experienced Goose Creek car accident lawyer on your side.
Economic vs Non-Economic Damages
When you have a car accident claim under South Carolina law, you are entitled to just compensation for all of your financial and non-financial losses resulting from the accident. The financial losses you are entitled to recover are referred to as “economic damages” or “special damages,” while you are entitled to “non-economic damages” or “general damages” for your non-financial losses.
Economic Damages (Special Damages)
For most accident victims, recovering just compensation for their financial losses is their most immediate concern. The costs of suffering serious injuries in a car accident can add up quickly, and recovering just compensation for these costs can be critical for avoiding financial strain. Generally speaking, the economic damages that are available to car accident victims include compensation for their present and future:
- Medical bills
- Prescriptions and medical supplies
- Temporary transportation and other out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Lost income and benefits
Non-Economic Damages (General Damages)
While most accident victims will be focused on their financial losses initially, accident victims’ non-financial losses will often have the greatest long-term impact. As a result, accident victims’ non-economic damages will exceed their economic damages in most cases. If you have a car accident claim in Goose Creek, an experienced personal injury lawyer may be able to help you recover just compensation for your:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Comparative Negligence Rules
If someone else is fully responsible for your accident-related injuries, you are entitled to recover 100% of your accident-related losses under South Carolina law. However, if you are partially responsible for your injuries, this could have a major impact on the value of your claim.
In this scenario, South Carolina’s “comparative negligence” rules come into play. There are two key rules of which car accident victims in Goose Creek need to be aware:
- If You Were Primarily At Fault in Your Car Accident – If you were primarily at fault in your car accident (51% at fault or more), you are not entitled to any financial compensation for your injuries under South Carolina law.
- If You Were Not Primarily At Fault in Your Car Accident – If you were not primarily at fault in your car accident (50% at fault or less), you are entitled to recover a portion of your losses based on your percentage of fault.
In this latter scenario, the percentage of your losses that you are entitled to recover is the inverse of your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you were 25% at fault, you would be entitled to recover 75% of your economic and non-economic damages. To make sure the insurance companies do not unfairly blame you for your accident-related losses, you should hire an experienced lawyer to investigate your car accident promptly and preserve the available evidence before it disappears.
Goose Creek Accident Sites
Goose Creek has some of the most dangerous roads and intersections not just in the Charleston area, but in the entire state of South Carolina. We regularly see accident reports and hear from accident victims who have been injured in crashes at the following locations:
- The intersection of Ashley Phosphate Road and I-26
- The intersection of Goose Creek Road (Highway 52) and St. James Avenue/Red Bank Road
- The intersection of St. James Avenue and Old Moncks Corner Road
These are just examples. Additionally, while some of Goose Creek’s roads and intersections are more dangerous than others, car accidents can—and do—happen anywhere. No matter where your accident happened, if you have questions about your legal rights, you should schedule a free consultation with an experienced Goose Creek car accident lawyer promptly.
Dealing with SC Adjusters
From accusing car accident victims of being partially responsible for their injuries to denying liability all together, the insurance companies use a variety of tactics to try to avoid paying for accident victims’ losses. Dealing with insurance adjusters after a car accident is not easy, and it can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful.
To avoid unknowingly settling for less than you deserve, you should rely on your lawyer to deal with the insurance companies and their adjusters on your behalf. This way, you won’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing, and you can feel confident knowing that you are fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
Settlement Timeline Expectations
Once you have been injured in a car accident, the best-case scenario is receiving a fair settlement that allows you to move on with your life. While negotiating an insurance settlement is generally the quickest way to resolve a car accident claim, you should still expect the settlement process to take time. By being patient and giving your lawyer the time he or she needs to present your case effectively, you can help maximize your chances of recovering the full compensation you deserve.
Contact Goose Creek Car Accident Lawyer Rad S. Deaton Today
If you need to know more about seeking a settlement for a car accident in Goose Creek, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Call 843-225-5723 or contact us online to request a free consultation today.