First Car Accident?

Jess loves helping clients that have been in their first car accident because she understands that these clients need help the most.  Being in your first car accident that wasn’t your fault can be described a lot of ways: scary, confusing, inconvenient and annoying, but she thinks the perfect sentiment is: it sucks! 

 When you have been in your first car accident in South Carolina it can feel like everyone else magically just knows what to do or that law enforcement or insurance adjusters expect you to know what to do without much guidance or direction.  It can also feel like law enforcement, tow truck drivers and adjusters are speaking a different language when using terms like: mitigating damages, accepting liability and/or deductible.  Your questions can be responded to with deflection or quick confusing answers that create more questions.  

Hiring Jess to represent you after a car accident means that your questions will be answered because Jess believes that part of being someone’s lawyer is making sure they understand what is happening to them and why. She patiently explains how your insurance, the other driver’s insurance and any other insurance applies to your case.  She ensures that you understand how your medical treatment needs impact your case.  She answers any questions about any criminal aspect of your case and let you know whether how you have been treated is normal and/or contractually and legally appropriate.  This commitment to a client understanding the process as much as they want to makes her a great attorney for anyone that has been in their first car accident.  If you hire Jess after your first car accident, you will feel empowered!

The most important things Jess tells clients after their first accident are: 

1. Make a record with law enforcement that the accident happened by at minimum calling 911.  The better course of action is to wait for a preliminary accident report, called an FR-10, form from an investigating officer that responds to the scene.  

2. Do NOT give any recorded statements to the at fault driver’s insurance company.  You have the option to politely decline.  

3. Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible will give the attorney the best chance at being most effective for you. You do not have to wait for your medical bills to be a certain amount or the at fault driver to be convicted of the ticket they received.  If you have the smallest belief you might need a lawyer, you probably do.  

4. If you have been hit by a drunk driver, hit and run driver or commercial vehicle, you should hire an attorney.  

5. If you have had any of the following medical issues, you absolutely should hire an attorney to ensure you get fair compensation:

   1. admission to the hospital 

   2. surgery 

   3. broken or fractured bone

   4. stitches 

   5. helicopter ride 

   6. rotator cuff injury 

   7. herniated or bulging discs 

   8. whiplash 

   9. scars 

   10. amputation 

If you have been in your first car accident and need some more general information, check the following pages on Jess’s website: