Fatal Car Accident Leaves Families Fighting Insurance Company for Justice
In a heartbreaking collision that claimed two lives and left several others catastrophically injured, Pracht Injury Lawyers recently helped secure justice for one of the surviving victims—a passenger who suffered multiple fractures and life-altering trauma. The crash, involving a young driver believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel, was entirely preventable. Sadly, the consequences were as permanent as they were tragic.
The Devastating Clemson University Student Crash![car crash]()
Our client was one of four passengers—graduate students at Clemson University—when their vehicle was struck head-on by a car that had crossed the center line. The collision left two of the passengers dead, one catastrophically injured, and others, including our client, suffering from serious injuries that required hospitalization and surgical intervention.
This case brought together several experienced law firms, each representing one of the victims. Pracht Injury Lawyers represented a survivor who endured a long, painful recovery, medical bills exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the emotional trauma of a crash that changed her life forever. Other victims were represented by respected South Carolina trial lawyers. Together, we formed a unified front to fight for accountability and compensation.
Progressive Insurance's Shocking Coverage Denial
The at-fault driver carried substantial automobile liability insurance, including what was believed to be a multi-million dollar umbrella policy issued by Progressive Insurance Company. While liability was crystal clear and admitted by the driver’s insurers, Progressive refused to honor its umbrella policy, pointing to a fine-print exclusion and interpreting its own policy language in the narrowest possible way.
This case underscores a disturbing pattern we are seeing more frequently: insurance companies aggressively seeking to avoid paying legitimate claims in catastrophic cases, often relying on exclusions buried deep in complex policy language.
The Progressive umbrella policy exclusion at issue in this case was one most policyholders would never notice or understand. The technical language—often never explained at the time of purchase—can strip families of critical coverage when they need it most.
Critical Insurance Policy Red Flags Every Driver Must Know
Umbrella Policy Exclusions to Watch For:
- Household Vehicle Limitations - Does your umbrella truly cover all family vehicles?
- Driver Exclusions - Are certain drivers secretly excluded from coverage?
- Permissive Use Restrictions - What happens when someone else drives your car?
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Gaps - Do you have adequate UM/UIM protection?
Warning Signs Your Insurance May Fail You:
- Complex policy language you don't understand
- Exclusions not clearly explained at purchase
- Premium savings that seem "too good to be true"
- Lack of transparency about coverage limits
$3.1 Million Settlement: Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
Through strategic legal action and coordinated mediation, our legal team and co-counsel achieved:
- $3,100,000 total recovery across all claims
- $750,000+ settlement for our client specifically
- Full medical bill coverage plus compensation for pain and suffering
- Insurance company accountability for bad faith practices
Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Our Approach to Insurance Disputes:
- Thorough policy analysis to identify all available coverage
- Aggressive negotiation with bad faith insurance companies
- Strategic litigation when insurers refuse fair settlements
- Coordinated legal teams for complex multi-victim cases
Protecting South Carolina Families After Car Accidents
At Pracht Injury Lawyers, we understand that catastrophic accidents devastate families both financially and emotionally. When insurance companies add insult to injury by denying valid claims, we fight back.
Our Personal Injury Services Include:
- Car accident claims and wrongful death cases
- Insurance bad faith litigation against major carriers
- Catastrophic injury representation for life-changing crashes
- Multi-vehicle collision case coordination
Take Action: Protect Your Family Today
Immediate Steps to Safeguard Your Coverage:
- Review your current auto insurance policy with a critical eye
- Ask specific questions about exclusions and limitations
- Document all policy communications from your insurer
- Increase UM/UIM coverage to protect against underinsured drivers
If You've Been Injured in a Car Accident:
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately
- Preserve all evidence from the accident scene
- Document your injuries and medical treatment
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
Contact Our Anderson & Greenville Car Accident Lawyers
Don't let insurance companies hide behind fine print when your family's future is at stake. Our South Carolina personal injury attorneys have recovered millions for accident victims and their families.
