At Pracht Injury Lawyers, we are proud to share the successful resolution of a recent personal injury case that illustrates the harsh realities injured victims face when going up against big insurance companies, especially without health insurance or resources to wait for justice.
The Car Accident: Clear Liability, Complex Consequences![car accident]()
In this case, our client, a hard-working South Carolinian with a blue-collar job and no health insurance, was rear-ended in a crash that occurred in November 2023. The at-fault driver was a teenager who mistakenly hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes, violently crashing into the back of our client's vehicle and totally destroying her car. While liability was crystal clear, what followed was a fight for justice that took over a year and required the filing of a lawsuit.
The Hidden Cost of Being Uninsured After a South Carolina Auto Accident
After the crash, our client initially declined EMS and ER care because she feared being saddled with medical bills she couldn't afford—bills that can easily total over $10,000 for emergency room care alone. Like many in South Carolina, she lives paycheck to paycheck and simply couldn't afford to go into debt, even though she was in pain.
Serious Spinal Injuries Require Major Surgery
When her pain didn't improve, and she struggled to return to her job, she finally sought treatment from an orthopedic specialist. An MRI revealed multiple herniated discs in her cervical spine and significant spinal canal narrowing. In early 2025, she underwent a three-level cervical spinal fusion surgery—a life-changing operation with medical bills exceeding $400,000.
State Farm's Lowball Offer: $6,000 for $400,000+ in Medical Bills
Despite clear medical records, no prior history of neck problems, and a sworn affidavit from her treating physician directly linking the surgery to the crash, State Farm Insurance (representing the teenage driver) claimed the wreck didn't cause her injuries. The at-fault driver had over $1,000,000 in available insurance coverage, yet State Farm offered just $6,000 to settle the claim.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina: The Only Path to Fair Compensation
Faced with medical debt, loss of income, and ongoing pain, our client was forced to do what she never wanted to do: file a lawsuit in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas.
Trial Preparation Leads to $775,000 Settlement at Mediation
Over the next 12+ months, every single fact in our original pre-suit demand was confirmed through formal discovery. The defense ultimately retained experienced trial counsel who saw the full extent of our client's suffering and the long-term impact of her spinal injuries. With the case nearing trial, State Farm agreed to settle the claim for $775,000 at mediation.
Why You Need a Trial-Ready Personal Injury Attorney in South Carolina
This case highlights a reality that many insurance companies don't want the public to know: they will not deal fairly with you unless you are represented by a lawyer who is fully prepared to take your case to court.
If our client had accepted the $6,000 offer, she would have been left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt and no compensation for her pain, suffering, and loss of income. Instead, because she committed to not taking the easy and cheap money, she hired an experienced legal team with resources to go the distance, as a result she received a lifesaving recovery.
Free Consultation with Anderson and Greenville Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries in an automobile accident—especially if you don't have health insurance—you need to talk to an experienced injury lawyer before speaking with any insurance company. At Pracht Injury Lawyers, we don't just take on cases—we take on powerful insurance companies and fight until justice is done.
We proudly represent clients in auto accidents, truck accidents, and serious injury cases in Anderson, Greenville, and throughout South Carolina.
