There’s nothing as disruptive as getting injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another party.
Accidents involving auto vehicles, defective products, work injuries, slip and falls, medical malpractice, pedestrian injuries, dog bites, motorcycle injuries or other egregious incidents can be extremely traumatic and result in severe injuries and unexpected costs, such as medical bills, loss of income, and vehicle repairs.
South Carolina law protects you if you’ve sustained an injury due to the misconduct or negligence of somebody else and provides legal grounds for you to seek damages from the responsible party.
At McDougall Law Firm, our Hilton Head personal injury lawyers empathize with your situation and understand the frustration, confusion, and anger you may be experiencing. Our injury attorneys don’t believe that you should be left with the financial, emotional and physical burden that comes with suffering a personal injury.
Getting compensation for injuries is usually a lengthy and complex process, as it often becomes a scenario of your word against the other party’s word. And when you include the insurance company of the at-fault, things get more complicated.
Our Hilton Head personal injury lawyers are committed to aiding accident victims and their families in Hilton Head, SC, to get justice and recoup maximum compensation for damages or losses suffered. Our experience allows us to take on all types of personal injury claims.
Whether your case is settled out of court or proceeds to trial, you can count on us to offer aggressive representation and superior service. To learn more about how our accident attorneys at McDougall Law Firm can assist with your case, contact us at 843-438-4386 to schedule a no-cost initial consultation and case review.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There is no definite deadline or guideline as to when you should enlist a personal injury lawyer. As a general rule, it is essential to retain the services of a personal injury attorney immediately after getting involved in an accident on public or private property.
Do not attempt to take on the claims process alone, as research indicates that individuals who hire injury attorneys are in a better position to recoup more damages.
Also, contacting an accident attorney right after allows you to rest easy knowing that somebody is watching out for your interests. If and when you find yourself faced with any one of the following scenarios, it’s time to consult with a personal injury attorney.
Uncertain Whether Compensation Is Available
If you’re not sure whether you meet the qualifications to get compensation or the amount you may be entitled to, it’s best to reach out to an attorney for clarification. A skilled injury lawyer will evaluate the circumstances surrounding your case to establish if you are eligible to recover compensation.
They will look into the available damages on offer, lost earnings, out-of-pocket expenses, property loss, and other hidden costs while singling out all potential defendants in the claim.
Substantial Medical Bills
Getting involved in a personal injury accident can result in exorbitant medical expenses. You may qualify to receive coverage for some or all of these medical costs depending on the nature and severity of your injuries.
Hiring an experienced injury attorney guarantees that you will receive compensation for current and future medical costs, lost earnings for time missed working, pain and suffering, and more.
An attorney will ascertain that the injuries you suffer are properly diagnosed and classified. They will obtain medical records documenting the extent of your injuries and the treatments provided. Catastrophic injuries, for instance, will be worth more financial compensation compared to an injury categorized as minor.
Low Settlement Offers
The goal of insurance providers is to safeguard their bottom line. This implies that they will do everything in their power to try to deny or devalue your claim by lowballing the settlement offer.
A personal injury attorney will review the case details, determine the worth of your injuries and losses, and compare whether their calculated estimates match with the insurer’s settlement offer. Make sure that you carry out negotiations with a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer to ensure you are fairly reimbursed.
Liability is Disputed
Personal injury victims must definitively show how the other party’s wrongdoing, errors, or negligence resulted in the victim’s injuries.
For instance, if you cannot meet the four elements of negligence in an auto accident, you’re not eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. If liability for the accident is disputed, call a Hilton Head, SC, Personal Injury attorney right away.
Our lawyers will carry out an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case to find out exactly how the accident occurred and determine the party responsible. We will acquire the requisite evidence and formulate a legal plan to prove the elements of negligence and liability.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Although every personal injury claim varies, in South Carolina, there are mainly three types of damages you can recover in personal injury cases.
- Economic Damages: These damages can be measured in monetary terms. They include medical costs, lost earnings, property loss, rehabilitation and therapy bills, loss of earning capacity, and household expenses.
- Non-economic Damages: These damages reimburse you for losses suffered that cannot be given a monetary value. They include mental distress, loss of consortium, pain & suffering, diminished enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement.
- Punitive Damages: These damages are seldom awarded in South Carolina and depend on the conduct of the defendant. They are awarded in addition to (or separate from) if the defendant is found to have acted egregiously and with utter disregard for others’ safety. They act as a punishment and deterrent.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle?
Our Hilton Head Personal injury attorneys at McDougall Law Firm have expansive experience handling a range of personal injury cases. Here are some of the different cases our skilled attorneys handle:
Car Accidents
Auto accidents are the most common type of personal injury in South Carolina and can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. At McDougall Law Firm, we can advocate for victims of car accidents and can help you get justice and compensation following the car accident.
Truck Accidents
Big rigs, 18-wheelers, semi-trucks and other trucks usually result in more catastrophic injuries and fatalities compared to any road accident. If you’ve been the victim of a truck accident in Hilton Head, our attorneys at McDougall Law Firm have experience handling truck accident cases and can help you recover maximum compensation.
Premises Liability
Our legal team at McDougall Law Firm can help you recover compensation for persons physically injured as a result of a breach of duty by a property owner or landlord. Entities or persons that are aware of or create the danger and fail to address it are culpable for their disregard.
Dog Bite
Dog bites can lead to serious physical and emotional trauma to the victim, including PTSD. At McDougall Law Firm, we can help you hold the dog owner accountable for their negligence.
Every case is different, so we will check whether the dog was off their leash, had rabies, or was intentionally let loose to attack you. Regardless, we will help you recoup damages.
Reach Out To McDougall Law Firm To Get Expert Representation
If you or somebody close to you has been hurt due to another party’s careless, intentional, or negligent actions, you have rights that should be upheld, and it will be in your interest to hire an experienced and skilled personal injury attorney.
South Carolina personal injury cases can be complicated due to the contributory negligence doctrine. Additionally, you can expect the responsible party and their insurance provider to use every possible loophole to discredit and dismiss your case.
The aggressive and dedicated personal injury lawyers at McDougall Law Firm won’t allow you to be taken advantage of and will fight relentlessly to ensure you receive fair compensation. We have helped injury victims in Hilton Head recover millions in compensation and can help you get back on your feet.
Contact our law offices today at 843-438-4386 to arrange a no-cost initial consultation.
