Being injured in a car or truck accident can be a harrowing experience. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, you may also face expensive medical bills and lost wages from time missed at work. You may be entitled to money damages or other benefits if you’ve been in an accident. Our Bluffton personal injury attorneys can give your case the best chance of success by working quickly and efficiently to get the money you deserve. Don’t wait. Contact a Bluffton personal injury lawyer today!
We understand that dealing with a personal injury can be overwhelming. You may be facing mounting medical bills, missed time at work, and the stress of not knowing what the future holds. Our experienced Bluffton injury attorneys are here to help. We will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Whether you are injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or as the result of someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer in Bluffton, SC, can help. Don’t negotiate with insurance companies without legal representation. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to help you get your life back on track.
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Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Bluffton
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. This requires the injured party to show that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused them harm.
For example, drivers are negligent if they run red lights and hit other cars. Another common basis for personal injury claims is intentional acts. This occurs when the defendant intentionally does something that results in injury to the plaintiff. For instance, if someone gets into a fight and is punched by the other person, they may have grounds for an intentional tort claim.
Finally, some personal injury cases are based on the doctrine of strict liability. This applies when the defendant is automatically held liable for any damages, regardless of fault. An example of this is a defective product causing injuries.
As you can see, there are many types of personal injury cases that a Bluffton personal injury attorney can bring to civil court. Each one has specific requirements that must be met for the plaintiff to succeed.
Auto Accident Injury
Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury cases in the United States. When an accident happens, it is usually because someone doesn’t follow the rules of the road or is not driving as carefully as they should. In most cases, a careless driver can be held responsible for injuries stemming from a car accident.
South Carolina follows a fault-based system. Under this system, those injured in car accidents can pursue claims against the at-fault driver. To do so, they must first prove that the other driver was more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If they are successful, they can recover damages for their injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages. While the fault-based system may require more work upfront, it ultimately gives accident victims more options for recovering damages.
If you are in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced Bluffton personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options. Whether you suffer an injury or need to litigate a wrongful death claim in Bluffton, South Carolina, our law firm can help.
Slip-and-Fall Claims
Slip and fall claims are common forms of personal injury cases. Property owners (or, in some cases, even those renting property) have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe and free of hazards so that people on the property do not become injured.
Of course, not all injuries occurring on the property lead to liability. A landowner’s legal duty varies depending on the situation and South Carolina law.
For example, visitors injured because of dangerous conditions may be able to sue property owners for injuries. This requires the property owner to know about and fail to remedy the hazard. However, the property owner may not be held responsible if the dangerous condition was unknown or could not have readily been uncovered.
If you are injured due to a slip and fall on someone else’s property, speak with an experienced Bluffton personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a valid claim.
Medical Malpractice
A medical malpractice claim can arise when doctors or other health care professionals provide treatment falling below the appropriate medical standard of care, and patients are injured as a result. The standard of care is what a reasonable and prudent health care professional would have done under the same or similar circumstances.
If the health care professional deviated from the standard of care and the deviation resulted in injury to the patient, the health care professional may be liable for medical malpractice. To win a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must prove that the health care professional was negligent and that their negligence caused the injury.
If you think you may have a medical malpractice claim, you should contact an experienced Bluffton personal injury attorney to review your case and advise of your legal rights.
Types of Personal Injury Damages
When someone is injured due to the negligence of another, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. Two general damages types are awarded in personal injury cases: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages have a clear monetary value, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Non-economic damages are less tangible but can also be assigned a dollar amount, for example:
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Consortium or Companionship
- Loss of Quality of Life
In some cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish the negligent party and deter others from similar behavior. When deciding how much damages to award, juries consider the plaintiff’s age, health, income, and other factors.
Contact our Bluffton personal injury attorneys for a free case evaluation. Our team can also explain possible monetary damage awards in your case.
Bluffton Personal Injury Attorneys
We at Charleston Personal Injury Lawyers believe you deserve the highest compensation after experiencing catastrophic accidents and injuries. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible representation.
We have a team of experienced and compassionate Bluffton personal injury attorneys passionate about helping our community members obtain the justice they deserve.
If you or someone you know is involved in a catastrophic accident, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. We’ll work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
