Following a personal injury, it can be challenging to adapt to the new physical restrictions of your recovery. You may have hospital or doctor’s bills—a financial stressor made worse by time away from work. Finally, dealing with the emotional consequences of knowing your accident was caused by the carelessness of another can leave you despondent. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer can help you take action. By filing a civil suit against the at-fault party, you could recover damages for your injuries. The process can be challenging, however—between investigating your case, filing paperwork on time, and even negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company. Let our Columbia SC personal injury lawyer review your case.
Personal Injury Claims: The Fundamentals
Personal injury covers the full scope of physical damages that may be sustained in an accident. Often, personal injuries are minor; at other times, severe. Injuries are also often referred to as temporary or permanent, or total and partial, in light of the new limitations these may impose on your ability to earn a living or care for yourself. Examples of personal injuries are:
- Back, spinal cord, or lumbar injury
- Brain injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- And others
Personal injury law, also called tort law, is a form of civil law aiming to protect you when you or your property is affected by another person’s action, and in some instances, inaction. At the core of personal injury law are negligence and damages: filing a legitimate claim will need you to prove that another party behaved negligently, thus resulting in damages.
Columbia SC Personal Injury Lawyer
And what does initiating a claim do for you? As the plaintiff or an aggrieved individual injured by another, filing a claim enables you to pursue economic compensation, also known as damages, from the at-fault party or parties. The amount of damages you may be able to claim in a personal injury action is heavily dependent on the severity of the damages you have sustained. Over the years, personal injury plaintiffs have had success in securing claims for losses of both economic and non-economic nature. Here are a few examples:
- Loss of income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical bills, including emergency fees and bills for ongoing treatment
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Punitive damages
In many cases, it can be tricky to assess the worth of your personal injury claim. For this reason, consulting with a trusted doctor can not only assist you in seeking treatment for your injuries but also give you a clear picture of your medical costs. With that figure as the cornerstone, your case can be substantially enhanced by hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the process of civil discovery.
In addition to taking on cases in Columbia, our firm has a personal injury law office in Charleston, SC. Contact our legal team today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys.