Menu
Call
Contact
Blog

Were you hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence?

No matter what caused your injury, its costs can be devastating. Medical bills pile up, you miss time at work, and maybe you’re dealing with painful treatments and limited mobility.

When someone’s carelessness ends up causing you—physically and financially—the need for justice is heavy. You need legal help from Rock Hill personal injury lawyers to ensure you get maximum compensation for your personal injury claim.

You have enough to deal with. Let us take this off your plate.

Rock Hill Personal Injury Attorney Practice Areas

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there was approximately one traffic accident every three-and-a-half minutes in the Palmetto State in 2019. Of those accidents, there were over 38,000 people injured—more than 2,500 incurring severe injuries.

Car accidents account for a large percentage of personal injury cases in South Carolina. That’s why experienced personal injury lawyers are skilled at representing clients hurt due to another’s negligence on the road.

Every traffic collision is different, and personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the complicated road of establishing fault, negotiating a fair settlement, and getting compensated for your injuries.

Car Accidents

A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. It can lead to serious injuries, particularly if excessive speed, distracted driving, or impaired driving are factors. A car accident lawyer can ensure the at-fault party’s insurance company agrees to full and fair compensation.

Truck Accidents

When a collision involves a large truck, the results can be devastating. The incredible mass of these vehicles causes extreme impact and often catastrophic injury—not to mention total damage to the other car.

Due to the nature of the trucking industry, several different parties could be at fault, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the cargo loading company.

Motorcycle Accidents

Bikers are much more vulnerable than other drivers on the road. A motorcycle crash has a much higher chance of causing serious injuries or even wrongful death. That’s why a personal injury case involving a motorcyclist often leads to higher financial recovery.

Pedestrian Accidents

Similarly to motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents involve parties that are much more susceptible to debilitating and devastating injuries. Distracted or reckless driving is sometimes a factor in pedestrian accidents, often leading to large settlements and even punitive damages being ordered.

Common Personal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Dislocations
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Wrongful death

Possible Damages in South Carolina Personal Injury Claims

From minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic injuries, personal injury victims often experience financial or personal loss as a result of a car accident or other personal injury incident. Because of this loss, they are entitled to fair compensation, and a few different categories of damages can be claimed.

Economic Damages

Also called “compensatory damages,” economic damages refer to direct financial loss experienced by the injured party.

Economic damages can include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Vehicle repairs or replacement

Compensatory damages can often be proven in a personal injury claim using medical bills, wage statements, and car repair estimates.

Non-economic Damages

Since not all loss experienced after a car accident is directly financial, South Carolina courts often order personal injury awards that include non-economic damages, including:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional suffering
  • Reduced earning capabilities due to disability
  • Loss of enjoyment in life due to injury

While they’re more difficult to measure, non-economic damages often have the most significant adverse effects on accident victims.

Punitive Damages

The court may award punitive damages in some of the most severe car accident cases. These damages are intended to make an example of the at-fault party. They are reserved for egregious negligence that causes a high level of injury.

Applicable South Carolina Personal Injury Law

Personal injury attorneys are well-versed in the many facets of personal injury law, giving you peace of mind that your personal injury lawsuit will result in the best possible outcome.

Here are some relevant laws in South Carolina regarding personal injury lawsuits.

Modified Comparative Negligence

The Palmetto State determines fault in a car accident using a modified comparative negligence model. A percentage of fault is assigned to each party involved. A settlement can be ordered if one party is responsible for at least 50% of the fault.

However, keep in mind that your settlement amount may be reduced by the percentage of fault you share in the accident.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits

In South Carolina, a time limit is placed on filing a claim for personal injury matters. If you’ve been injured due to another person’s negligence, you have three years from the date you were injured to take legal action. After that point, no claim can be made, and you will not be able to seek damages.

Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Requirements

To protect drivers on the road from unfair personal cost, South Carolina requires that all drivers carry car insurance coverage with minimum coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person
  • Bodily injury coverage of $50,000 for all injured persons in a single accident
  • Property damage coverage of $25,000 in a single accident

Get in Touch with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Rock Hill, South Carolina

Injured in a traffic accident? You don’t have to walk the complicated legal road ahead of you on your own. Okoye Law is a law firm in Rock Hill, SC, that is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of our clients.

Contact our experienced law firm today to schedule an appointment and discuss your case.

WHY US?

Peace of mind

You will stress less and sleep better knowing we’ve got everything under control.

Quality legal help

We raise the bar by providing detail-oriented legal assistance that zeroes in on the client experience.

Tailored solutions

Every case we take begins and ends with your unique situation in our hearts and on our minds.

talk to a lawyer
Personal Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Slip & Fall

Arrested?
Stuck in a bad relationship?
Injured in an accident?

FAQ: Rock Hill Personal Injury

Q
When should you hire a personal injury lawyer after a car crash?
A

When you’ve been injured, it’s always a good idea to get a lawyer involved in your case. However, particularly if you’ve been seriously injured, experienced significant financial loss, or feel the insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, a personal injury attorney can help tremendously.

Q
How long do most personal injury cases take to settle?
A

There’s no set time frame for cases to be settled, and some factors can lengthen your case. For example, suppose the insurance company refuses to pay out your settlement. In that case, the case may go to trial and take a couple of years to complete.

Q
What should I do after being in a car accident?
A

To bolster your claim after a traffic collision, you can do a few things. Your first step should be to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. This will ensure your health is addressed and that your claim can be proven with medical evidence.

Immediately after the crash—if you can—take pictures of the accident scene, the damage to both vehicles and any surrounding property, and your injuries.

Collect the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver involved as well as the contact information of any witnesses.

Finally, reach out to a South Carolina personal injury lawyer to help you with your injury case.