Anderson Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’ve suffered at someone else’s hands, it can be tough to completely recover. Accidents happen all the time, and some lead to serious injuries, including fatalities. If you’ve experienced harm because someone was careless or negligent, let the experienced team at HawkLaw take up the fight for you. Your personal injury lawyer serving Anderson will review your claim and help make sure you get the best possible compensation for your personal injury claim.

Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Personal injury lawsuits are complex. An attorney with knowledge and experience in personal injury law knows how to strategically present your case so you can maximize your potential recovery. A personal injury payout can help you get access to resources such as medical bills, prescription medicines, and more. An attorney can help calculate both economic and non-economic damages, and work hard to help make sure you are able to rebuild your life after an accident.

At HawkLaw, our legal team is deeply committed to serving the Anderson community and advocating for individuals injured due to negligence. Our dedicated injury law firm will stand by you throughout your case, keeping you informed every step of the way.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law centers on the concept of negligence, which occurs when someone fails to act with the care that a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances. To prove negligence, the injury victim or “the plaintiff” must establish:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff: A duty of care means the negligent party was legally required to act in a way that would not harm others. For instance, all drivers on the road are legally required to follow traffic laws.
• The defendant breached their duty of care: This means the defendant did not act in the way they were required to under the applicable law. Continuing our previous example, the negligent driver may have breached their duty by failing to stop at a stop sign.
• The defendant’s breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries: This means that the injuries were a foreseeable result of what the defendant did or did not do. If the driver ran a stop sign and hit someone, causing injuries, the breach of duty is directly linked to the resulting harm.
• The plaintiff suffered harm or losses due to the injury: The plaintiff must have suffered some losses, like physical injuries or property damage, due to the negligent party’s actions.

Negligence applies to a variety of accidents. For example, in slip and fall cases, property owners are expected to maintain a safe environment. Failing to address hazards like wet floors can be seen as a breach of duty. In construction accidents, employers and contractors must maintain a safe work site. If safety regulations are ignored, resulting in injury, this may constitute negligence.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Anderson, South Carolina

HawkLaw handles a variety of personal injury cases in Anderson, South Carolina. Car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents are a significant area of focus, demanding attention due to the high risk of serious injury or death. Our attorneys can handle a variety of personal injury cases, including:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents (with car accidents being the most common, including rear-end collisions, drunk driving incidents, and other forms of vehicular negligence)
• Premises liability (when property owners neglect to address safety hazards like broken stairs or flooring)
• Construction accidents (such as falls or equipment failures due to workplace safety violations)
• Dog bites (often the result of owner negligence and can cause serious physical and emotional harm to victims)

Personal Injury Claims Process in Anderson

Navigating the personal injury claims process in Anderson can be challenging. Here’s a breakdown of the step-by-step process:

• Initial consultation with an Anderson personal injury lawyer: This is your chance to present your case to a lawyer, ask questions, and understand the potential legal avenues available to you.
• Case evaluation and strategy: Once hired, your lawyer will dive deeper into the strengths and weaknesses of your case. This involves reviewing all available information and developing a strategy based on the specifics of the case.
• Gathering relevant evidence: Your lawyer will collect evidence to support your claim. This may include photographs or videos of the incident and various other forms of relevant documentation.
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit: If the insurance company does not offer you a favorable settlement, you may choose to file a lawsuit.
• Discovery: In this phase, your lawyer and the defendant will exchange evidence and information. This is a critical step that allows each party to gather what they need to strengthen their position.
• Trial preparation/settlement negotiation: As the trial date approaches, your lawyer will prepare by organizing evidence, identifying witnesses, and crafting arguments. Simultaneously, they may engage in settlement negotiations with the opposing party to potentially resolve the case without going to trial.
• Court proceedings, if any:  A judge or jury will decide the outcome of your case based on the information presented.

What Is the Statute of Limitations On Personal Injury Claims?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in South Carolina is three years from the date of the accident or injury. Missing this deadline can result in your claim being dismissed and your chance for recovery lost.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, when a minor is involved or if the injury only became apparent later, the time frame for filing may be extended. Claims involving the government can also involve different deadlines. It is advisable to consult with an Anderson personal injury attorney to understand filing deadlines.

What Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?

How much your personal injury claim is worth depends on the specifics of your case. Some factors that influence such value include the financial impact of your injuries, like medical bills. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, must also be carefully considered and strategically negotiated. Your personal injury lawyer will thoroughly assess all these elements to estimate a fair compensation amount. They may review previous cases with similar circumstances to gauge potential compensation.

Remember, insurance companies often use formulas to calculate settlement offers, which may not fully reflect your needs. Therefore, it is important to have a skilled lawyer by your side so you may have a chance to be compensated for the full extent of your injuries.

South Carolina Negligence Law

South Carolina’s negligence law can significantly impact your personal injury claim. The state follows a “comparative negligence” rule, meaning that the compensation you receive may be adjusted based on your degree of fault in the incident. If you are less than 51% responsible for the accident, you are eligible to receive compensation. For example, if you were 10% at fault in an accident with total damages of $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 10% and you would receive $90,000.

Get In Touch With HawkLaw’s Personal Injury Attorneys

When you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to fight back on your own. Instead, speak to a personal injury lawyer from HawkLaw, PA to help you fight back.

Our attorneys can help you get started with a free* consultation. We want you to know what you can expect from us and from your claim before you sign anything, so please reach out to discuss your claim as early as possible. Complete this online contact form to get started.