In addition to the pain and distress that come with severe injuries, you may be put into financial turmoil due to medical costs and lost wages. Fortunately, South Carolina has laws in place for personal injury that has been caused by another party’s negligence.
If the victim can prove that a party was responsible for their injuries and losses, they may be eligible for compensation.
The issue is that most personal injury cases are not straightforward and involve many elements that may be confusing to the victim. That’s where the skills and experience of a personal injury lawyer become invaluable. They can help the victim protect their rights and seek the justice they deserve.
The team at McDougall Law Firm in Bluffton, SC has decades of experience in personal injury, so if you or a loved one need help, don’t hesitate to call 843-438-4386.
You only pay our no win no fee personal injury lawyers if we recover compensation for you.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
People who have sustained injuries in accidents that were not their fault may understand that they have a claim and are eligible for compensation, but they don’t know whether legal representation is necessary. A lawyer becomes important in the following situations:
Suffered Severe Injuries
If you’ve experienced severe injuries, seeking assistance from a personal injury attorney is paramount. Serious injuries can lead to hefty medical bills, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation, and a lawyer can help you get a settlement for all these damages.
Suffered Permanent Injuries/Disabilities
If you have sustained permanent injuries or the accident led to a disability, it’s important to hire a lawyer. They will work with medical professionals in order to determine the extent of the injuries, as well as their long-term impact on your life and those around you.
Unclear Liability
In the state of South Carolina, you are required to prove negligence and liability in order to receive damages. However, if liability is unclear or disputed, a lawyer with extensive experience in personal injury becomes crucial. They will do a comprehensive investigation of the accident and gather the necessary evidence to prove who is at fault.
Claim Denial
If your claim is denied or you’re offered an insufficient settlement, hiring a personal injury attorney becomes necessary. A seasoned lawyer has the negotiation skills required to come to an agreement with the insurance company that ensures fair compensation.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
There are several types of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury claim in Bluffton, SC. Each lawsuit is different, and so the damages you recover depend on the circumstances of your case.
Medical Expenses
These are expenses that entail the past, current and future medical costs arising from the injury. They can be payment for doctor or hospital bills, medication costs or rehabilitation expenses. They may also include payment for assistive equipment like hospital beds, wheelchairs and lifts.
Long-Term Care Expenses
A severe injury like spinal cord trauma that leaves one paralyzed may necessitate nursing and long-term care. As such, it may call for awarding damages for services like cleaning, bathing, cooking, transportation, etc.
Lost Wages & Earning Capacity
Some accidents and injuries render people unable to resume their previous position in work or even their line of work entirely. This can put a huge financial strain on the victim, especially if they are the primary supporters at home.
That said, there’s an option to claim compensation for lost income and the ability to earn. This calculation is usually done depending on the type of job, age, severity of the injury and career potential.
Physical & Emotional Distress
Financial strain is not the only effect brought about by an injury. You may also experience pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of social life and loss of life’s pleasures, among others. All these can be factored in when determining the settlement amount.
Punitive Damages
While these are not common in personal injury cases, they can be awarded when the liable party is found to be grossly negligent or intentional. The damages are designed to punish such individuals for their actions and discourage repeating them.
Acts of violence are a great example of situations where punitive damages may be awarded.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Personal injury is a field that covers many cases. The most common examples of personal injury cases we handle include:
Auto Accidents
Car accidents are among the major causes of injuries in the state. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, one person dies in a traffic accident in South Carolina every nine hours.
Every 13 minutes, a wreck injures someone else. On average, over 1,000 motorists die, and roughly 58,400 sustain injuries each year. With such numbers, it is not surprising that auto accidents are some of the common personal injury cases we handle.
Motorcycle Accidents
Bike riders are at a substantially high risk of being injured in an accident. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not provide any solid physical protection to riders. In most cases, drivers fail to see the motorcyclists or fail to adhere to traffic rules and end up hitting the rider.
A motorcycle accident can lead to serious injuries and even death.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for individuals who enter their premises. As such, they can be held liable for hazardous conditions, such as slippery floors, uneven walkways, inadequate lighting, or defective equipment.
Product Liability Cases
Product manufacturers and suppliers are similarly obligated under the law to ensure that the products they sell to the end consumer are safe for use. If a faulty or dangerous product has injured you, a personal injury lawyer can help you hold the liable party responsible.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Animal attacks are pretty common and can be deadly. Any pet owner with a dangerous pet needs to ensure that it is properly restrained and doesn’t pose a threat to other people.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A brain injury can turn your life upside down. From car accidents to slip and fall incidents, McDougall Law Firm is here to help you seek justice. Our traumatic brain injury attorneys understand the unique aspects of TBI cases. We’ll fight to secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, so you can focus on moving forward after a serious injury.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?
How long a personal injury case takes can vary significantly. The personal injury claim process might last anywhere from several months to a couple of years. If both sides can settle quickly, the case might be over in a few months, but if there’s a lot of back-and-forth or a trial, it could take much longer. Various factors influence the timeline, including how long medical treatment takes and how complex the case is.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in South Carolina is three years. This means you generally have three years after the accident or injury to file a lawsuit.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Being injured due to the fault of another party is unfair and can leave you suffering in many ways. With the right representation, however, you can make a lawsuit that not only seeks justice but ensures you are fairly compensated.
Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers are committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our personal injury lawyer at 843-438-4386 for a free initial consultation and learn more about your legal options.
