After a serious accident, the stress of dealing with insurance companies, sorting through medical bills, and gathering evidence for a personal injury claim could be overwhelming. A Charleston personal injury lawyer may be able to intervene and handle the logistics of your claim while you focus on physical recovery.
An experienced personal injury attorney understands that each personal injury claim is unique and requires a fresh approach. By carefully analyzing the facts in your case in terms of the applicable law, a knowledgeable attorney may be able to build a comprehensive personal injury claim on your behalf.
Charleston Personal Accident Claims
Many accidents may give rise to personal injury claims if they occur as a result of another person’s negligence. Accidents that could necessitate a personal injury claim include the following:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Dog bites
- Slip and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Premises liability
- Defective products and drugs
For a personal injury claim to be successful, a plaintiff must prove that a party was at fault for the accident in question and that they themselves suffered quantifiable damages as a result of that accident. A skilled Charleston attorney could help prove responsibility in a personal accident claim.
Seeking Damages Through Personal Injury Claims
Two types of damages may be awarded in this type of case: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic losses are relatively easy to quantify, which may make them more readily attainable in personal injury actions. Potential economic damages that people injured may be able to pursue include the following:
- Loss of current and future income and earning capacity
- Property or motor vehicle damage
- Medical bills for ongoing treatment and care
- Hospital costs, surgical expenses, and rehabilitation costs
Non-economic damages are more subjective and thus not as easily quantifiable. Examples of non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, mental distress and anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Although no amount of money can restore injured plaintiffs to their previous physical or emotional state, financial compensation can act as both an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a means of financial support. A skilled attorney in Charleston could help determine what damages for which someone might be eligible in a personal injury claim.
Time Limits for Accident Claims
Every state establishes legal deadlines for persons filing personal injury claims; this deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Under state law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the incident.
South Carolina law provides some exceptions to the statute of limitations, but generally, complainants who fail to file their claims within the statute of limitations may lose their ability to file a claim. A personal accident attorney in Charleston could help protect the rights of injured people and promptly file the necessary paperwork for a claim.
Contact a Charleston Personal Injury Attorney Today
A Charleston personal injury lawyer may be an integral part of a successful and productive personal injury claim. The claims process can result in a damages award for various expenses related to your injuries from the accident, such as medical expenses and loss of income.
Attempting to handle insurance claims, legal filings, and medical bills while you recover from physical and emotional trauma could be difficult or impossible. Contact an experienced attorney today.
