Gilbert, South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
Dedicated legal advocates for crash victims across Lexington County
Gilbert may be small, but its proximity to major highways exposes residents to significant traffic. The town’s website notes that Highway 1 and Highway 378 run near Gilbert, and Interstates I‑20 and I‑26 are close by. These routes carry commuters to and from Columbia and bring heavy trucks through the area. A moment of distraction or a reckless turn can lead to a serious crash, leaving victims with painful injuries and financial uncertainty. When your life is disrupted by a collision, you deserve strong legal support.
The Gilbert car accident lawyers at Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law have years of experience representing crash victims throughout Lexington County. We know the local roads, from the rural stretches of Highway 378 to the busy interstate interchanges. When you hire us, you work with attorneys who listen, explain, and fight for your rights. Contact us to book a free consultation today.
What are common types of car accidents in Gilbert?
Car accidents in Gilbert can happen anywhere, including along Highway 378, near schools and businesses on Main Street, or on the rural roads that connect to Batesburg-Leesville and Lexington. While every collision is different, some patterns appear again and again in our cases:
- Rear-end crashes caused by drivers who follow too closely on Highway 378 or fail to stop in time at traffic lights
- T-bone and intersection collisions at local crossroads, caused by speeding or distracted drivers who ignore stop signs or signals
- Head-on crashes on narrow two-lane roads outside town, which often lead to devastating injuries
- Multi-vehicle pileups on nearby I-20 and I-26 during rain or fog, when visibility drops and traffic suddenly slows
- Drunk-driving and drug-impaired accidents that leave innocent people suffering from preventable harm
- Distracted-driving crashes caused by texting, reaching for items, or using GPS while behind the wheel
- Collisions involving large trucks, delivery vehicles, or farm equipment, which can cause severe damage due to their size and weight
No matter how your car accident occurred, our Gilbert legal team will investigate every detail, gather evidence, and hold negligent drivers and companies accountable for the harm they caused.
What steps should I take after a Gilbert car accident?
The moments after a crash can be overwhelming, but what you do next can have a major impact on your health, safety, and legal rights. Whether your accident happens along Highway 378, on I-20, or a quiet back road near downtown Gilbert, following these steps can help protect you and strengthen your case:
- Call 911 and check for injuries. Even if the crash seems minor, emergency responders can assess everyone’s condition and create an official record of what happened.
- Get medical attention right away. Some injuries (such as concussions, whiplash, or internal damage) don’t show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor ensures your injuries are documented from the start.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Collect their name, address, phone number, driver’s license, and insurance details.
- Document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, weather conditions, and your visible injuries. Small details can later serve as critical evidence.
- Identify witnesses. Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash so they can provide statements later if needed.
- File a report if no officer arrives. South Carolina law requires you to submit a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles when someone is injured or when property damage exceeds $1,000.
- Avoid discussing fault or downplaying your injuries. Insurance adjusters may use your words against you.
After taking these steps, reach out to Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law. Our team can communicate directly with the insurance companies, protect your rights, and start building a strong claim on your behalf.
What parties are responsible for a Gilbert car accident?
Determining who is at fault after a crash isn’t always straightforward. While another driver’s negligence may seem obvious, multiple parties can share legal responsibility depending on how the collision occurred. A careful investigation is often needed to uncover every contributing factor and identify all potential sources of compensation.
Those who may be held liable for a Gilbert car accident include:
- Negligent drivers: Speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, and running red lights are among the most common causes of collisions.
- Employers of commercial drivers: Companies that own delivery trucks, semi-trailers, or service vehicles can be held accountable under respondeat superior if their employee was on the job at the time of the crash.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers: Defective brakes, airbags, or tires can lead to product liability claims when faulty components cause or worsen an accident.
- Government entities or road contractors: Poorly designed intersections, inadequate signage, or unmarked construction zones can create hazardous conditions. Claims against public agencies must follow strict deadlines and notice requirements.
- Bars and restaurants: Under South Carolina’s dram-shop and liquor liability laws, establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons may share blame if that person later causes a crash.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. That’s why having an experienced attorney evaluate your case is so important to ensure every liable party is held accountable and your rights are protected.
What if I’m in a crash involving a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist?
When the at-fault driver flees the scene or doesn’t carry insurance, it can leave you feeling frustrated and powerless. You might wonder who will cover your medical bills, car repairs, or lost income when the responsible person can’t be found or refuses to take responsibility.
Fortunately, South Carolina law requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which steps in to pay for your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance or can’t be identified, such as in a hit-and-run. In cases where the driver has insurance but not enough to cover the full cost of your injuries and property damage, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can help make up the difference.
Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law takes a proactive approach to these difficult situations. Our legal team carefully examines police reports, contacts witnesses, and reviews nearby traffic camera or business surveillance footage to identify the fleeing driver whenever possible. If the driver remains unknown, we assist you in filing a UM claim through your own insurance company and explore every available option, including MedPay, health insurance, and other benefits that may provide additional support.
What damages can I recover from a crash?
A serious car accident can disrupt nearly every part of your life, from your finances to your ability to work, drive, and enjoy daily activities. South Carolina law allows you to pursue compensation for the full scope of your losses, both economic and non-economic. Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law works closely with medical experts, economists, and rehabilitation specialists to ensure that no detail is overlooked when calculating what you’re truly owed.
You may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses: This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests, follow-up visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, and projected future medical costs if your injuries require long-term treatment.
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity: If you miss work while recovering or can no longer perform your job at the same level, we’ll document these losses and account for any lasting impact on your income.
- Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle, along with expenses for towing, rental cars, or other transportation needs.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Travel expenses to medical appointments, home modifications, or assistive devices like wheelchairs or ramps.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, chronic discomfort, and limitations on your daily life.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress that often follow a serious collision.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to take part in hobbies, sports, or family activities you once enjoyed.
- Loss of companionship and support: For families who have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, this includes the emotional and financial toll of their absence.
Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law carefully builds your case with detailed evidence and expert input to pursue every form of compensation available. We know how much is at stake after a serious crash, and we fight to help you rebuild your life with financial security and peace of mind.
How much is my Gilbert car accident settlement?
No two car accident cases are alike, which means there’s no standard amount for a settlement in Gilbert. The value of your claim depends on many factors, including the seriousness of your injuries, the total cost of medical treatment, how long your recovery takes, the amount of insurance coverage available, and whether you share any percentage of fault. Even two crashes that look similar on paper can result in vastly different outcomes depending on how the injuries affect your life and ability to work.
In general, settlements may range as follows:
- Minor injury cases: whiplash or soft-tissue injuries may resolve for a few thousand dollars once medical bills and minor losses are accounted for.
- Moderate injury cases: Cases involving broken bones, longer recovery times, or temporary disability. These can often reach settlements in the tens of thousands.
- Severe injury cases: Cases such as those involving permanent impairment, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, or wrongful death can reach hundreds of thousands or even exceed one million dollars, depending on the circumstances.
Our attorneys carefully review your medical records, lost income, future care needs, and pain and suffering to calculate a fair value for your claim. Then we negotiate with insurance companies from a position of strength, ensuring they don’t undervalue your injuries or pressure you into accepting less than you deserve. Our goal is to determine what your case is truly worth, so insurance companies can’t short-change you.
Why work with a Gilbert car accident lawyer?
After a crash, insurance companies often act quickly to protect their own bottom line, not your best interests. Their adjusters are trained to downplay injuries, shift blame, and push early settlements that don’t come close to covering the true cost of your losses. Having an experienced local attorney on your side levels the playing field and ensures your voice is heard.
Here’s what Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law can do for you:
- Conduct a prompt investigation: We gather police reports, vehicle data, and witness statements before evidence disappears.
- Secure and preserve crucial proof: Our team collects photos, video footage, and accident reconstruction analyses to strengthen your claim.
- Consult with medical and financial experts: We work with specialists to document your injuries, calculate long-term costs, and prove the full impact of the crash.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: We handle all communications with the insurance company, pushing back against lowball offers and misrepresentations.
- Take legal action when necessary: If insurance companies refuse to settle fairly, we file a lawsuit and are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
- Keep you informed at every stage: We return calls promptly, explain every step clearly, and maintain full transparency about fees and progress.
- Use our local knowledge to your advantage: We’re familiar with the traffic patterns and accident-prone areas around Gilbert, including Highway 1, Highway 378, and the I-20 and I-26 corridors.
When you hire our firm, you gain more than legal representation; you gain a team of advocates who care about your recovery and your future. We fight for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Schedule your free consultation
The Gilbert car accident lawyers at Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law make it easy to get the legal help you need. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, where you can speak directly with an experienced attorney, not a call center or case manager. During your consultation, we’ll review the facts of your crash, explain your legal options, and outline the next steps toward pursuing full compensation.
We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees. We only get paid if we win your case. That allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal bills.
If you were injured in a crash near Highway 1, Highway 378, or any of Gilbert’s surrounding roads, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward rebuilding your life.