Personal injury law is complex and requires an extensive amount of resources both before and during civil litigation. A South Carolina personal injury lawyer can provide you with exceptional legal representation. You can pursue financial compensation for your injuries, and you can benefit from having a knowledgeable attorney on your side throughout the entirety of your personal injury case.
Establishing the Four Elements of Negligence
To substantiate your legal claims, you must satisfy the four elements of negligence. These four elements are duty, breach, causation, and damages. Essentially, you must prove that the defendant had a legal duty not to engage in some type of negligent conduct and the defendant’s breach of this duty was the actual and proximate cause of your injuries.
A personal injury attorney in Cayce can help you achieve the results you want in your personal injury case. You will need to substantiate your legal claims with evidence to ensure that you satisfy the four elements of negligence. If you cannot prove all four elements, then you may not be able to pursue monetary compensation for your injuries.
South Carolina Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations period for personal injury actions in South Carolina is three years from the date of the accident. Speaking to a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Cayce will help you determine the deadline for filing your personal injury case. The sooner you begin gathering evidence for your personal injury case, the sooner you will be able to file a civil complaint that initiates a personal injury lawsuit.
If you do not file your legal claims within the statute of limitations period, then you risk losing the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries. It is vital that you pay attention to the statute of limitations deadline and ensure that a Cayce personal injury lawyer understands the exact date on which you suffered injuries. Some exceptions may apply in particular cases, but you cannot depend on these exceptions being applicable to your case.
The Benefits of Retaining a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you retain a Cayce personal injury attorney, you will have an advocate who can enforce your legal rights while helping you with every aspect of your personal injury case. You will be able to take advantage of attorney-client privilege and attorney-client confidentiality. You will also be more likely to reach a settlement agreement in your personal injury case if you have an attorney representing your legal interests.
A lawyer will be able to object if the other side attempts to obtain privileged information. During mediation, a lawyer will be able to speak to the mediator and represent your theory of the case. If your case goes to trial, a lawyer will be able to cross-examine witnesses and present your case to the jurors.
The Majority of Civil Lawsuits Settle Before Trial
Civil litigation is costly and time-consuming. Most defendants do not want personal injury cases to go to trial. Approximately 95% of all civil lawsuits are resolved through settlement negotiation, mediation, or arbitration.
These forms of alternative dispute resolution help save judicial resources and lower the number of cases on the dockets of judges throughout the United States. If you want to have the best chance of settling your case before trial, then you should speak to a legal advocate who can stand up to insurance companies and large corporations. You need to believe in your case and take the time to ensure that you do everything within your power to present your case with as much evidence as possible.
Do Not Speak to Insurance Claim Adjusters
You may receive telephone calls and letters from insurance claim adjusters after you are involved in an accident. Do not provide any information to an insurance claim adjuster before you speak to an attorney. Most insurance companies want to use your words against you and try to have you admit liability for the accident.
You may want to accept the first offer an insurance company presents to you. However, it is in your best interest if you seek legal representation and then determine the best way to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies do not want to share their profits with you, and it is possible that you will be offered a low settlement amount at the outset of your case.
The Types of Damages You May Claim in a Personal Injury Case
All personal injury cases are unique, and no two cases contain the same facts. Most injured victims seek general damages and special damages in personal injury cases. Sometimes punitive damages are applicable to a personal injury case, but only if the defendant exhibited conduct that was willful, wanton, or malicious.
General damages include loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering. Special damages include lost wages, medical bills, and automobile repair bills. Special damages are more subjective and are more likely to be quantifiable based on documentary evidence.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suffered injuries during an accident. Do not wait to seek out a doctor weeks or months after an accident. You may not believe you suffered serious bodily injury, but sometimes, symptoms may not become noticeable until weeks or months after the date of an accident.
Reaching Out for Help Is Easy
Personal injury cases can make you feel responsible for your own injuries. You do not have to let insurance claim adjusters tell you what to think about your injuries. If you want to learn about how you can stand up to the insurance company, then contact us today and learn about the benefits of legal representation.
Recovering from your injuries takes time, dedication, and patience. A skilled Cayce personal injury lawyer can walk you through the steps you need to take to make sure that your legal interests are protected. We understand how confusing it can be to deal with insurance companies, and you deserve exceptional legal representation.
