803-902-4583
Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyers
Fighting to Recover Maximum Compensation for Accident Victims
Accidents can often happen in the blink of an eye, and you may realize that you do not know what steps to take to hold the negligent party accountable. Should you seek damages? When do you need to file a claim?
Many accident victims suffer serious injuries that prevent them from returning to work and leave them with expensive medical bills that they cannot afford to pay. Additionally, insurance companies often try to argue that victims are to blame or partially at fault so they can pay less or deny claims.
Our Rock Hill personal injury lawyers serving South Carolina can answer your legal questions and guide you through the claims process. At Schiller & Hamilton, our attorneys have the experience to handle complicated cases so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
If you have suffered a personal injury caused by another person’s negligence, contact Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm immediately to schedule a free consultation so we may evaluate your case.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal case you can open after you or your family have been harmed by another person’s negligence. Some of the most common accidents caused by negligence that result in personal injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Medical negligence
- Slip and fall accidents
- Product liability
- Dog bite
In some situations, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. If this is a factor in your case, working with personal injury lawyers in Rock, Hill, SC, is crucial. They can fully evaluate the situation to help you understand the fine details.
It is important to remember that even if you have been injured in an accident, there are specific legal criteria that must be met to file to secure compensation. Because personal injury law is overly complex, hiring an attorney to represent you is best.
When you come to Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm for help, you can consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your claim and determine your legal options.
What are Common Examples of Personal Injuries Experienced By Accident Victims?
If you have been injured in an accident, you may have suffered various injuries depending on the incident in question. For example, individuals injured in car accidents may suffer bone fractures, whiplash, or internal injuries.
However, individuals who work on construction sites often suffer catastrophic injuries that can leave them permanently disabled. Injured workers who fall from heights may suffer spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. Other catastrophic injuries include organ loss, amputations, or severe burns.
Serious injuries can affect your life for several years after the accident. In some situations, you or your family member could experience impairments or disabilities affecting your ability to work and live independently. A severe accident could result in death.
Rock Hill personal injury lawyers understand the deep impact these injuries can have on your life. Our team works hard to alleviate your situation and hold the negligent party accountable.
If you are ready to begin a personal injury case, contact our team to set up a free consultation. Our experienced attorney will gladly review your case and help you understand your legal options.
How Can Your Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyers Help Me?
Personal injury cases usually involve several factors that can complicate your claim. An accident can leave you and your loved ones with severe injuries and steep medical bills. Our attorneys take care of the complex aspects of a claim to make the situation as easy as possible for you.
One of the most essential benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer is they can professionally assess your situation. The team at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm knows that your case may have additional factors you were unaware of that include:
- Injuries that worsen over time
- Expenses to repair or replace a damaged vehicle
- Lost wages from missed days of work
Our Rock Hill, SC, personal injury attorneys know how to work with medical experts to determine the full impact of your injuries on your life, both now and in the future. Our knowledgeable legal professionals have the resources to gather the evidence necessary to demonstrate liability.
Our legal team can review your entire situation so you know what to expect with your case. Contact our law firm today to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced attorneys, who will gladly assess your case.
Why Do I Need Legal Assistance to Deal With the Insurance Company?
Insurance companies typically contact you soon after the accident occurs. The common assumption is that the insurers will handle the whole situation with your best interests in mind. However, most insurance companies want to resolve your case immediately and protect their bottom line.
In Rock Hill, SC, our personal injury lawyers understand how insurance companies handle personal injury claims. Many insurers may not initially offer a fair settlement, and it could take several rounds of negotiation to reach one that accurately reflects the severity of your situation.
Studies show that accident victims who hire attorneys to represent them in personal injury cases generally receive more compensation than those who handle cases independently. That being the case, our team works hard to ensure your case receives the fair and accurate representation it deserves.
We communicate with your insurance company so you can focus on your recovery instead of worrying about the complex claims process. Whether you need help with medical malpractice, workers’ compensation claims, motor vehicle accidents, or other personal injury issues, our attorneys know what it takes to obtain a favorable outcome for your case.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Rock Hill Personal Injury Case?
South Carolina law allows injury victims to seek financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages. The type of damage and compensation you may recover will depend significantly on the accident’s severity.
Economic damages refer to expenses that can be substantiated with bills, receipts, or bank statements and include:
- Property damage costs
- Medical expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost income
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate injury victims for intangible losses that do not have a fixed monetary value and may include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
South Carolina uses a modified comparative system to determine the amounts you could receive. This system assesses liability. Rock Hill, SC, personal injury attorneys carefully review your case to determine relevant damages and prove the other party’s negligence.
Our Rock Hill injury attorneys fight hard to recover compensation that meets your current and future financial needs.
How Can Catastrophic Injuries Affect a Personal Injury Claim?
Even though accident victims can sustain various physical injuries, some are left to deal with life-altering catastrophic injuries. Generally, catastrophic injuries leave victims permanently disabled and require ongoing medical care.
However, insurance companies are hesitant to settle claims involving catastrophic injuries, as they typically result in large payouts that can affect their profitability. Sadly, even when an accident victim has suffered permanent injuries, insurers will often look for ways to deny or lowball claims.
One method that insurance providers often try to use is to argue that the victim is partially or totally to blame for the accident. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine, meaning that if an accident victim is found to share any blame for the accident, any settlement they receive can be reduced by their percentage of fault.
However, our highly-trained Rock Hill personal injury attorneys are familiar with insurance company tactics and will gather evidence substantiating your case. Our injury attorneys will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that the insurance company treats you fairly.
Who May Be Entitled to Recover Punitive Damages in Personal Injury Cases?
In South Carolina, accident victims who are harmed by another person’s gross negligence may be able to recover punitive damages. An individual may be guilty of gross negligence if they have completely disregarded others’ safety and showed reckless disregard for the potential consequences of their actions.
A plaintiff may request punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit. However, the plaintiff has the burden of proof and must present clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is guilty of gross negligence.
Punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded or $500,000, whichever is greater. Compensatory damages include compensation for economic and non-economic losses such as medical bills, emotional distress, and property damage.
However, unlike compensatory damages, which are meant to reimburse personal injury victims for their losses, punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoers for their behavior. Punitive damages also act as a warning to others not to repeat the same negligent actions.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims in South Carolina?
If you want to file a personal injury claim, you have limited time to open a case. The South Carolina statute of limitations is three years on personal injury claims. The statute of limitations ensures that legal action is brought in promptly, evidence is readily available, and potential defendants do not fear lawsuits years later.
The timeline to file a claim starts from the day you incur your injury. Although three years seems like ample time to file a claim, life events can easily prevent or delay you from pursuing compensation. Instead, it is always best to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney familiar with the intricacies involved.
If you fail to file your claim within the set time limit, your case will most likely be dismissed. Under state law, insurers are not legally obligated to honor a claim filed after the statute of limitations expires. However, there are a few exceptions to the law, including:
- The victim is a minor: The statute of limitations clock starts again once the minor turns 18, after which they have a year to file a compensation claim.
- Absence of the defendant: If the defendant flees the state before time expires, the time of their absence does not count against the law.
- Date of discovery: The statute of limitations may be extended when an injury was or should have been reasonably discovered.
Do not delay in pursuing compensation for your injuries. Contact Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm today to get started.
Why Choose Your Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyers to Handle My Claim?
At Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, our clients are our top priority. Our attorneys know that personal injuries take a physical and emotional toll on your entire family. For the past 20 years, our team has worked to obtain favorable results, making this challenging time stress-free so you can focus on your family’s well-being.
If we agree to take your case, we will be by your side throughout the legal process. We aim to safeguard your legal rights and help you recover the fair compensation you deserve. Our dedicated team will also fight to ensure you receive proper care for your injuries and secure compensation for other costs.
Our Rock Hill injury attorneys will use their extensive experience in personal injury law to obtain a fair settlement offer that will give you the peace of mind you need to face the future.
Personal injuries can upend your life in unforeseen ways. If you need to relocate to another area of the state while you recover, our attorneys can assist you in your new location. Our South Carolina injury law firm has branches across the state in cities that are convenient for you.
Contact our Rock Hill personal injury attorneys by calling 803-902-4583 to schedule a free case evaluation so we may determine what legal strategies meet your needs.