Drivers, Passengers Need to Know Their Legal Options In Single ...

Columbia, SC (PRWEB) May 13, 2011

In light of a single-car accident in Darlington County that made news this week in South Carolina, Columbia personal injury attorney Bert Louthian said today that drivers and passengers should know what their legal options are in such accidents.

Even if no other car caused the crash, an injured motorist or the family of one who dies in a single-car wreck may still recover compensation for damages that can include medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, lost support and pain and suffering, said Louthian, a partner of The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., which represents vehicle accident victims and their families throughout South Carolina in personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Thats why its important to contact an experienced South Carolina personal injury lawyer who can assess the accident and help to determine which claims and insurance policies apply.

In some cases, the injured party may be able to seek compensation from another individuals insurance policy or from a company that has sold a defective product, Louthian said.

For instance, a passenger who has suffered bodily injury may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver and seek to recover compensation from the drivers liability policy, Louthian said. In cases involving an automotive defect such as a tire blowout, exploding gas tank, seat belt / airbag failure or vehicle rollover a product liability action may be appropriate.

In other cases, a driver may be able to turn to their own insurance policy to cover property damage and bodily injury that has resulted from a single-car accident, Louthian said.

Collision insurance generally will pay for damage to the car or truck that was caused by striking another object, such as a tree, sign, or light post or an animal, such as a deer, he said.

Personal Injury Protection, or P.I.P. coverage, is another type of no-fault insurance that generally will cover medical bills, lost wages and certain other expenses arising from bodily injury suffered in a single-car wreck, according to Louthian.

However, because personal injury protection is optional and not mandatory in South Carolina, many motorists may not have such coverage or may not be aware that they have it.

Its important to work with an attorney who can review the insurance policy and determine whether it covers the type of accident involved, Louthian said. All too often, an attorney will also be needed to fight for an injured motorists rights when their own insurance company denies or delays paying a claim.

The bottom line is that, depending on the facts of the case, an injured driver or passenger in a single-automobile accident may have legal options available to help them obtain the funds they need to get their life back on track.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., is a South Carolina personal injury law firm that has been obtaining fair compensation for defective product victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm represents truck accident victims and their families throughout South Carolina in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, including those in the communities of Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach and Rock Hill. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

###

light year light year michelle rounds michelle rounds cabin in the woods dan quayle brett favre