Case Result – Rear-End Collision, Camden, South Carolina
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Location: Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina
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Accident Type: Rear-End Motor Vehicle Collision
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Client’s Injuries: Multi-level cervical disc herniations requiring a three-level ACDF (cervical fusion) surgery
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Initial Offer (State Farm): $6,000
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Final Settlement: $775,000
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Litigation: Filed and prosecuted in Kershaw County Court of Common Pleas
Introduction
Christopher Pracht and Carly Beth Marsh, attorneys at Pracht Injury Lawyers, have recently reached a case resolution on behalf of a client from Camden, South Carolina. The accident was a very serious rear-end crash in Kershaw County involving life-changing injuries for our client.
The Crash and Initial Issues
Our client was at a standstill in traffic when a teenage driver accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, rear-ending and injuring her. She immediately felt pain in her neck and back but was reluctant to go to the hospital and initially declined an ambulance ride.
The challenge: She had recently started a new job and had no health insurance coverage yet. Fearing high medical bills, she decided to wait and see if she'd heal up on her own.
Medical Diagnosis and Surgery
Unfortunately, her pain only worsened over the next ten days. At this point, she reached out to Pracht Injury Lawyers for guidance on what to do next.
Using our recommendations, she was evaluated medically, which included an MRI of her cervical spine. This imaging confirmed multiple herniated discs, which required major surgery—a three-level cervical fusion.
This is an extremely serious procedure which was ultimately successful, but recovery from this kind of injury is long and difficult. As a result, she:
- Missed over four months of work
- Lost her vehicle
- Lost her home
The Fight Against State Farm
The medical evidence in this case was very clear, and our client's experience of life impact was well documented. Using this evidence, attorneys Pracht and Marsh made a time-limited policy demand of $1,000,000.
State Farm's Response: They did not fairly value this claim, instead countering with a frankly insulting $6,000 offer. Insurance companies use this tactic often, attempting to pressure victims who are entitled to much more with "quick money."
Our Response: Our legal team, standing up for our client, refused to settle for this inadequate amount. We filed a suit in the Kershaw County Court of Common Pleas and prepared for trial.
Settlement Victory
After a year of litigation without any major new facts in the case, we resolved the case with State Farm in mediation for $775,000.
This represents a 12,800% increase from the initial lowball offer of $6,000, demonstrating the importance of hiring experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys who are willing to put in the work for their clients.
"Quick money is cheap money, and true justice requires persistence."
Lesson Learned
This case highlights an important lesson for victims of injuries: insurance companies are not here to value your case fairly. You must force them to look at the facts of the case with skilled legal representation.
It is their job to try to pay you as little as possible, and without proper know-how and groundwork, you could miss out on the justice and compensation you are entitled to.
Victims of rear-end collisions and spinal injuries, especially injuries serious enough to require complex procedures like cervical fusion surgeries, are often entitled to much more compensation than the insurance company might initially offer.
Our Commitment
At Pracht Injury Lawyers, we know the stakes are high, so we fight relentlessly for our clients. The difference between an unfair $6,000 and a $775,000 settlement can be absolutely life-changing for a family trying to rebuild their lives.
Disclaimer: Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.