Columbia, SC
Personal Injury Lawyers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What’s the legal definition of personal injuries?

  Personal injuries can encompass a wide range of harm. Physical, mental, and reputational harm are all examples of personal injuries. Personal injury cases in Columbia, South Carolina, can also damage someone’s property or assets. 

  Speaking with a Columbia SC personal injury lawyer can help you understand what harms may apply to your situation.

• What should you do after a personal injury happens?

  The most crucial action after a personal injury is seeking medical treatment. This step is even more critical than contacting a personal injury law firm. Receiving medical attention lets a medical expert professionally inspect the extent of your injuries. You can also begin a treatment plan.

  The body’s adrenaline often kicks in after an injury. This bodily response can reduce your level of pain, which sounds great. The downside of a dampened pain response is falsely believing you’re in better shape than you are. 

  Seeking medical treatment after getting injured documents the true extent of your pain and suffering. It can often help strengthen the validity of personal injury cases in Columbia, SC.

• How do I begin a personal injury case?

  Before anyone has the potential to get a personal injury settlement, they must complete their claim. Personal injury claims involve many steps.

  These steps can include:

  • Gathering Evidence
  • Preparing Legal Documents
  • Filing Papers Promptly
  • Negotiating With Other Parties

  Establishing a post-injury case is typically much more accessible with help from a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC. A lawyer helps you navigate the often complex process of creating and filing personal injury claims. 

  Additionally, a personal injury law firm understands and follows South Carolina’s legal guidelines. Doing things by yourself could mean unknowingly violating state regulations.

• What are the three main categories of personal injury damages?

  You must establish valid damages to receive a personal injury settlement in Columbia, South Carolina. 

  Types of damages include:

  • Economic Damages
  • Non-Economic Damages
  • Punitive Damages

• What constitutes a severe personal injury?

  We know injuries happen in many ways. Some cases involve severe injuries.

  Serious personal injuries can include: 

  • Broken Bones
  • Severe Burns
  • Losing a Limb
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

  A few shallow cuts might be treatable with a small bandage. A TBI would take significantly more time, effort, and money to recover from. The more severe your injuries are, the more advisable it is to contact a Charleston personal injury lawyer.

  Serious personal injuries can also go beyond causing someone physical pain. Personal injury survivors may find themselves dealing with long-term mental and emotional ailments.

  An experienced personal injury lawyer in Charleston or Columbia, SC, can review your case-related documents. This research enables a lawyer to understand the severity of your injuries.

• What is the average payout for a personal injury claim?

  Unfortunately, personal injury settlements are impossible to predict. That’s why you’ll see varying average personal injury claim ranges. This amount depends on the extent and severity of your injuries. Many times, the starting point for the value of your claim is the amount of medical bills you incur as a result of the car accident or slip and fall. However, there are sometimes aggravating factors such as drinking and driving that could increase the settlement value of your case.

  We recommend scheduling a consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC. This helps you obtain a potential payout estimate.

• How much money should I ask for in a personal injury settlement?

  It depends. Typically, cases involving multiple or severe injuries have a better likelihood of achieving higher settlement amounts than ones involving one or a few minor and non-life-threatening injuries. The amount of your medical bills is a very important factor – the higher your bills, the more likely you are to receive a higher settlement. Also, the amount of available insurance is also a significant factor.

  Remember, the totality of your injuries may include physical pain, mental suffering, and damage to your property. Determining your settlement’s worth takes work. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC, understands how to take an in-depth look at your injuries and their effect on your life and those of your loved ones.