Personal injury law deals with cases where one person is harmed by another party’s negligence or intentional actions. Common examples of personal injury claims include car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and medical malpractice. If you’re looking for a reliable personal injury lawyer in Beaufort, SC, contact McDougall Law Firm.
Our team handles many different types of personal injury cases. We are dedicated to helping clients in Beaufort, Hilton Head, and across South Carolina win the fair compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation!
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury case is a legal action where an injured personal seeks compensation after suffering harm due to someone else’s negligence or intentional acts. Personal injury law encompasses a broad range of scenarios. Common types of personal injury cases include car accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, and product liability claims.
In most personal injury cases, fault is based on the concept of negligence. This means the at-fault party failed to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to the injured person. The “reasonable person” standard is used to evaluate whether the defendant behaved as a prudent individual would have done under similar circumstances. If their behavior deviates from this standard, they may be deemed negligent.
In addition to negligence, some personal injury cases involve intentional harm such as assault and battery. These cases are known as intentional torts.
A personal injury lawyer will fight to recover fair compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
South Carolina courts may also award punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-32-520, the plaintiff must prove their injuries were caused by the defendant’s “willful, wanton, or reckless conduct” to obtain punitive damages. Examples of personal injury cases that qualify include drunk driving accidents and intentional torts like assault and battery.
Common Examples of Personal Injury Cases
Our team at McDougall Law Firm handles many types of personal injury cases, including the following.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases, often resulting in severe physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens for victims. At McDougall Law Firm, we assist individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by another driver’s negligence, including speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
After a car accident, gathering evidence from the accident scene, including photos, witness statements, and police reports, is critical to building a strong claim. We handle dealing with car insurance companies and fight for the compensation victims deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Truck Accidents
Truck accident victims usually suffer severe injuries due to the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles. Trucking accidents can involve multiple parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and even manufacturers of faulty equipment. Determining liability in such cases can be complicated.
Our personal injury law firm identifies all liable parties and helps clients seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. These cases frequently involve traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. McDougall Law Firm represents motorcycle accident victims, ensuring their rights are protected when they face mounting medical bills and challenges in securing compensation from at-fault parties or their insurance companies.
As experienced personal injury attorneys, we work diligently to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the financial compensation our clients need to cover medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses.
Uber Accidents
Uber accidents and other rideshare accidents have become more common as ridesharing grows in popularity across South Carolina. Uber accidents present unique challenges, as responsibility may fall on the driver, the rideshare company, or other parties. Victims often face challenges when dealing with rideshare companies and their insurance providers.
McDougall Law Firm has extensive experience handling these complex cases and will fight for the justice you deserve.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents are frequently caused by distracted driving, failure to yield, or reckless driving. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in traffic accidents, often sustaining serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. We are committed to holding drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care accountable.
Our personal injury lawyers help bike accident victims navigate the claims process with car insurance companies and fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation, allowing clients to focus on their recovery.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are some of the most devastating personal injury cases, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or even death. When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the lack of physical protection leaves them highly vulnerable. We are dedicated to helping injured pedestrians and their families seek justice. Whether the accident was caused by distracted driving, speeding, or failure to yield at a crosswalk, our team works tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable.
Boating Accidents
Boating accidents are common in South Carolina’s Low Country, given the region’s extensive waterways and warm climate. These accidents can result in severe injuries, emotional distress, and costly medical care for victims. At McDougall Law Firm, we handle personal injury claims involving boat operator negligence, equipment failure, and violations of boating laws.
Whether the boat accident was the result of impaired operation or inadequate safety measures, our team works to hold negligent parties accountable and secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common examples of personal injury cases. Premises liability cases like these arise when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, causing injury to visitors or patrons.
Slip and fall accidents often involve hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting. At McDougall Law Firm, we help clients prove that property owners or managers neglected their duty to provide a safe environment, leading to their injuries.
Dog Bites
Dog bites can lead to infections, nerve damage, and disfigurement, requiring extensive medical care. Victims often face emotional distress and trauma, particularly in cases involving children. Our team negotiates with insurance companies and fights for justice for dog attack victims and their families. We work to build strong personal injury claims that hold irresponsible dog owners accountable.
Medical Malpractice
Victims and families can file a medical malpractice case when medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or surgeons cause harm to patients through negligence. These cases include surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or failure to provide appropriate medical care. At McDougall Law Firm, we fight to ensure that healthcare providers are held accountable for their mistakes.
Medical malpractice claims often involve complex legal and medical issues, requiring experienced representation. We understand this complex area of personal injury law and will fight for the maximum compensation.
Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious issues affecting vulnerable seniors in care facilities. Examples include failure to provide adequate medical care, financial abuse, and physical harm. Families trust nursing homes to care for their loved ones, and when that trust is broken, the results can be devastating. Our legal team is dedicated to pursuing justice for victims and their families.
Wrongful Death
When a person’s life is lost due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions, surviving family members face overwhelming grief and financial hardship. At McDougall Law Firm, we provide compassionate representation to families in wrongful death claims. These cases often involve motor vehicle accidents or medical malpractice.
Wrongful death claims aim to recover damages for funeral expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and the loss of companionship caused by the untimely death. Our attorneys work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable while supporting grieving families through this difficult time.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace accidents are a common occurrence across various industries. Common examples of workplace injuries include machinery accidents, slips and falls, and repetitive stress injuries. At McDougall Law Firm, we represent workers injured on the job, ensuring they understand their rights under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws.
Workers’ compensation benefits can provide coverage for medical care, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages. Some workplace accidents involve a negligent third party, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer, whose actions or products contributed to the injury. In these situations, injured workers may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits. McDougall Law Firm has experience handling both types of claims.
Contact a Low Country South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. At McDougall Law Firm, we understand how challenging life can become after an accident. Our dedicated legal team is here to help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law.
McDougall Law Firm provides compassionate yet aggressive legal representation for clients in Beaufort, Hilton Head, and across South Carolina. We have experience handling many common types of personal injury cases. We handle every case with the utmost care, conducting thorough investigations and advocating tirelessly on your behalf. From negotiating with insurance companies to taking your case to trial if necessary, our Beaufort personal injury lawyers will fight for the maximum compensation.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Call 843-438-4386 or contact us online today to schedule your free case review. You pay no out-of-pocket costs when you hire our no win no fee personal injury lawyers. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you.