Sumter Personal Injury Lawyer

Sumter Personal Injury Attorney

The field of personal injury law was created to help anyone who suffers injuries that were caused by another individual. These legal procedures aim to hold these parties accountable by paying for damages incurred by either their intentional acts of malice or negligence. This can provide much-needed relief to any individual struggling with the financial toll of their recovery. If you have been injured in Sumter, you need a Sumter personal injury lawyer to jumpstart the legal process.

At Charles T. Brooks, we have years of experience representing those who have been wrongly injured. Our team of personal injury lawyers is well-versed in personal injury law to present compelling cases that maximize compensation claims. We supervise the entire process to ensure that no one takes advantage of your rights or tries to minimize the extent of the case’s damages. Contact us as soon as you can to secure the accident relief you need and deserve.

What Elements Make up a Personal Injury Case?

While every personal injury case is unique to the individual filing the claim and the defendant who will need to respond, there are some core elements that span each case. These four main areas all need to be satisfied to pursue an official personal injury claim.

These areas include:

• Negligence and duty of care. One of the main factors that will need to be proved in a personal injury case is negligence. The concept of negligence is that someone has violated a social norm that puts others in the way of unnecessary risk. For example, someone who decides to drink and drive is not just disobeying the law. They are also jeopardizing the safety of everyone else on the road who may be struck when the individual under the influence loses control of their vehicle.
• Breach of duty. Once a duty of care has been established, a personal injury attorney must prove on behalf of their client that this duty of care has been breached. This can happen in a number of ways. In the case of drunk driving, breathalyzer results or the results of a field sobriety test can demonstrate how the defendant was not fit to be behind the wheel. In other cases, this could include a doctor who failed to diagnose a patient correctly and caused them extra unnecessary harm.
• Causation. Many people mistakenly think that just proving someone acted negligently is enough to resolve these cases. The law requires plaintiffs and their attorneys to go one step further by actually linking the negligent behavior to the specific injuries sustained. To prove this level of causation, an attorney will need to collect evidence to prove that the injury was unavoidable if it weren’t for the specific actions of the defendant.
• Damages. A personal injury attorney’s client will not be able to receive a compensation package unless the extent of the damages is proven. This can be in the form of physical, emotional, or economic damages. For example, the sum of an individual’s hospital bills and missed paychecks from work can demonstrate the financial toll the victim took as a result of the incident.

Non-economic damages can be more challenging to prove. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Because these are subjective experiences, evidence like medical records and testimonies from mental health professionals can be used to support the claim. Having an injury attorney can help quantify these non-economic damages and present a compelling case of their value in court or settlement negotiations.

FAQs About Sumter, SC Personal Injury Laws

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in South Carolina?

A: Anyone looking to file a personal injury claim has three years to officially file before the state’s statute of limitations has expired. If you miss this deadline, South Carolina courts will likely refuse to hear your case. To prevent losing the opportunity to seek compensation, connect with an attorney as soon as you have suffered damages from someone else’s behavior. There are some exceptions to the statute, so get in touch with an attorney to clarify your ability to start a case.

Q: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in South Carolina?

A: Personal injury attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid a certain percentage of a settlement’s final award if they win the case for their client. It’s an excellent motivator to put all their effort and resources into winning. This percentage commonly ranges from 30% to 40% of the final settlement. Some attorneys operate on different payment structures, like hourly rates and retainer fees, so be sure to clarify this upfront with your attorney.

Q: When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in SC?

A: As soon as you have suffered injuries, contact a personal injury lawyer. Securing prompt legal advice is crucial to preserving all your rights and making sure you meet all necessary deadlines within the confines of the statute of limitations. During this time, a lawyer will collect and preserve evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and guide you through each step of the process. You should always hire an attorney, even if your injuries seem minor.

Q: What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A: Anyone who has suffered an injury from someone else’s negligence can recover economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages. Economic damages are tangible losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages could include emotional distress, like PTSD. Punitive damages are awarded in cases of gross negligence or severe intentional harm. An attorney will assess your case and determine which are the most feasible to recover.

Contact Charles T. Brooks Today

If you live in Sumter, SC, and have been injured by the alleged actions of another individual, contact us at Charles T. Brooks today. We have a seasoned team of personal injury attorneys who have spent years refining their ability to secure the most compensation possible in these scenarios.

We understand the common tactics that a criminal defense team and insurance companies will employ to minimize the validity of your case. Connect with us to help keep this from happening, and secure as much compensation as you need to recover from these damages and move on with your life in peace.