Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina?

When you are dealing with pain and suffering, it can be difficult to make decisions or know what to do. A personal injury attorney is someone you can turn to at a time when you want guidance and support. Your attorney can also serve as the buffer between you and insurance companies, as the insurance adjusters are not looking out for your best interests. Since personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, you likely will not pay anything unless we win your case.

What is the Statute of Limitations on a Greenville, South Carolina Personal Injury Case?

S.C. Code § 15-3-530(5) (2024) stipulates you have three years to file a personal injury case. It may be helpful to pursue a free case evaluation as soon as possible for your claim, as it takes time to gather evidence and build a solid case.

How Long Does a Greenville, South Carolina Personal Injury Case Take?

It is difficult to give a definitive answer as to how long it takes to settle a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. Every case is different, and how long a case takes will depend on the level of injury, type of medical treatment required, liability disputes, and other factors. Some cases can reach a settlement in months, but other cases will take years. In the event your case goes to court to receive a verdict, this can prolong the case. Court or no court, our attorneys have experience in many different injury practice areas.

What Should I Be Preparing Before a First Consultation?

If your injury is due to the actions of someone else, you can seek financial compensation from the at-fault party. Before your initial case review with a Greenville personal injury lawyer, you can prepare by taking the following steps. Research the law firm and attorneys you will be meeting with; you want to find a legal team that has experience in the practice area of your specific injury. Gather and assemble all essential documents relating to the accident; this might include the police report, photos, videos, medical reports, medical bills, insurance correspondence, and anything else pertinent to your case. Make a list of any questions you want to ask. Be mindful that you will need to talk about specifics relating to your accident, including how it happened, your injuries, and other details. Your attorney will need to gather all the information to determine how to handle your case. Talking about a traumatic experience can be difficult, but it is a necessary part of the process.

Will I Have to Go to Court to Settle My Claim?

The majority of South Carolina injury cases can reach a settlement without having to go to court to receive a verdict. In the event you do have to go to court, you want an experienced trial lawyer by your side.

Is Settlement Money Taxable for Personal Injuries in South Carolina?

As stipulated under IRC Section 104, any damages you receive from personal injuries are not considered to be gross and taxable income.

Can Someone File a Personal Injury Claim on My Behalf?

In some cases, victims of catastrophic injuries are unable to file a personal injury claim themselves. With this scenario, the State of South Carolina does permit other individuals to file a claim on an injury victim’s behalf, so long as they have the legal authority through a power of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship appointment.

How is Liability Determined in Greenville, South Carolina Cases?

To win a South Carolina personal injury case, you must prove the at-fault party’s negligence and that this negligence directly led to your injury. An attorney with legal experience in the type of accident you suffered may be helpful in proving that your injuries are due to the negligence of someone else.

Protecting People in the Upstate

Greenville, South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney

WRITTEN BY:

Rusty Patrick

November 22, 2024 | Blog

Table of Contents

Types of Personal Injuries Our Firm Handles
Types of Damages in Greenville Personal Injury Cases
Why Choose Patrick, Lewis, & Watts
Here to Help Greenville Residents with Their Personal Injury Needs

Types of Personal Injuries Our Firm Handles

Many different types of personal injury accidents occur in South Carolina. The most common ones our Greenville SC law office sees include the following:

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Drunk driving crashes
Catastrophic injuries
Dog bites
Medical malpractice
Product liability (including defective products)
Premises liability (Slip or Trip and Fall)
Wrongful death

These and other types of personal injury accidents can result in life-altering injuries, including but not limited to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, paralysis, internal bleeding, and facial injuries.

If you sustained an injury due to the negligence of others, contact our law firm today to see how we can help with your case.

Types of Damages in Greenville Personal Injury Cases

In South Carolina personal injury accident cases, damages you might be eligible to receive are broken down into three categories.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are financial awards intended to cover all economic and non-economic damages associated with your injuries and losses. This type of award will reimburse you for any medical expenses and lost wages burdening you after an accident, along with compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-calculable losses. Damages can range from thousands to millions of dollars.

Punitive Damages

Sometimes a court will award an injury victim punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for their reckless and egregious behavior that led to the accident. The amount is usually high to prove a point to promote justice and deter others from taking such actions causing injury to others.

Nominal Damages

Nominal damages are small sums of money given to injury victims to demonstrate the injury victim won a civil court personal injury claim. It does not demonstrate the victim has an entitlement to significant sums of financial compensation.

Why Choose Patrick, Lewis, & Watts

The attorneys at Patrick, Lewis & Watts bring years of experience to our clients. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in South Carolina injury laws, and we stand with our clients every step of the way through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim.

Our law firm is in the people business, not the numbers game. We bring compassion, honesty, integrity, and transparency to your case. When you hire us for legal representation, you will never feel like a case number. Our legal team believes in providing personalized attention to each and every client.

Our experienced Upstate personal injury lawyers are all about helping you and your family.

Here to Help Greenville Residents with Their Personal Injury Needs

The caring Greenville personal injury lawyers at Patrick, Lewis, & Watts are dedicated to helping injury victims receive the financial compensation they deserve.

Our legal team is here to help you, our neighbor. We will sit with you, listen to your story, and make decisions based on your unique circumstances. You can count on our experienced personal injury attorneys to be transparent and prepare a case tailored to your needs. The attorney-client relationship is of the utmost importance to us.

To schedule your free consultation, call Patrick, Lewis, & Watts at 864-240-5500 or, if you prefer, fill out our online contact form, and a member of our legal team will get back to you.

Written By Rusty Patrick

Attorney

Rusty is licensed to provide that service in South Carolina courts and in the federal District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, the Greenville County Bar, and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Profile

A Team You Can Trust

We’re Here to Help!

With over 100 years of combined service, our team at Patrick, Lewis & Watts has encountered situations similar to yours, and we possess the experience to adeptly guide you through the challenges you are facing.

Get Help Now