How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in South Carolina?

If you believe another party is responsible for causing a recent injury, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your losses. But how much does a personal injury lawyer cost in South Carolina? Many people believe legal representation to be prohibitively expensive, but this isn’t necessarily true, and the legal representation you need may be more accessible than you think.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

If you are already struggling with the financial impact of your personal injury, it is natural to hesitate to contact an attorney to help you because you may believe that the cost of legal representation is simply too high. The reality is that most personal injury lawyers accept these cases on a contingency fee basis to make legal counsel more accessible.

Some attorneys charge hourly rates and retainer fees, but the majority of personal injury lawyers use contingency fee billing because they know that the average person is unlikely to have the financial flexibility required to pay for expensive hourly rates. Instead, a contingency fee agreement ensures that the client will only pay their attorney a fee if and when the attorney wins their case, and the fee will be a percentage of the total compensation recovered for the client.

The attorney can explain their billing policy at the outset of the case, before any contracts are signed, ensuring that all parties involved know exactly what to expect in terms of legal fees. Attorneys who offer contingency fee billing are unlikely to accept cases they don’t think can win; their fee hinges on their ability to recover compensation for their client. If a prospective attorney offers to take your case on contingency, it is a good sign you have a strong case.

The exact percentage of the contingency fee will vary based on several factors. For example, an attorney may charge between 25% and 40% of the client’s final settlement or trial verdict award, leaning toward the lower end in a simpler case or charging a higher percentage for a high-value and/or extremely complex case. It is important that you fully understand the details of an attorney’s billing policy before agreeing to their representation.

If you are hesitant to accept legal counsel on a contingency fee basis, remember that you are likely to secure more compensation even after accounting for the contingency fee than you would likely be able to obtain on your own. Even if your case appears straightforward at first, the average person is likely to make mistakes if they try to navigate strict court procedures on their own. Having trustworthy legal counsel is an invaluable asset for any personal injury case.

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III offers personal injury counsel with a fair billing policy. We know that you are struggling in the aftermath of your personal injury and have no desire to add to your financial concerns in this difficult situation. If you believe you have grounds for a claim, contact our firm right away, and we can explain the legal services we provide as well as the cost of our representation.

FAQs

What Percentage Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Take?

The percentage a personal injury lawyer takes in the state will vary based on several factors. With a contingency fee agreement, the attorney takes a percentage of the total compensation they win on their client’s behalf at the end of their case. An attorney may increase their usual percentage when a case is particularly demanding, but the percentage must be decided at the outset of the case.

How Much Is a Personal Injury Case Worth in South Carolina?

The value of a personal injury case can vary based on multiple factors. The main goal of a personal injury case is for the plaintiff to recover full compensation for their damages, and these may include immediate and future medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. Your attorney can review the details of your case and help you determine the total possible value of the claim.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Personal Injury Case?

In a personal injury case, pain and suffering are typically calculated based on the overall severity of the victim’s injuries. State law does not place a limit on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, nor is a plaintiff required to use a specific formula to calculate these damages. Generally, the more serious the victim’s injuries, the more they are likely to secure in pain and suffering compensation.

Will I Win More Compensation if I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You are likely to win more compensation if you hire a personal injury lawyer than you could expect to secure if you tried to handle your case without an attorney. Not only are you more likely to succeed with your case with an attorney’s help, but you are also more likely to resolve your case quickly and secure far more compensation than you may have realized you could claim at first. It is always worth investing in legal counsel you trust for a personal injury case.

Will I Need to Go to Court to Resolve My Personal Injury Case?

You may need to go to court to resolve your personal injury case if you are unable to settle the case privately outside of court. There are potential benefits and possible drawbacks to both settlement and litigation; your attorney can explain the pros and cons of either option. For example, settlement is often faster than litigation but may result in less compensation for the plaintiff. Litigation takes longer, but the judge or jury has the final say on the outcome.

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III has years of professional experience handling personal injury cases for clients throughout the state, and we can put this experience to work for you in your impending personal injury suit. You have a limited time in which to build and file your case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney to learn how we can assist you.