What Types of Cases Do your Columbia, South Carolina, Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Our Columbia, South Carolina, personal injury lawyers represent clients for a wide range of personal injury matters. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of cases we handle in Columbia:
Auto Accidents
As the capital city of South Carolina, it’s no surprise there’s a lot of traffic in and out of Columbia. With more and more cars on the road, the risk of accidents also increases. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to help you work through the challenging claims process and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident victims typically have far more severe injuries when compared to occupants of passenger vehicles. Motorcycle riders have less safety equipment, and their bodies often directly impact the other vehicle. They may be left with permanent injuries and require expensive ongoing medical care.
Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large commercial trucks can be deadly and often involve multiple vehicles. Pursuing a claim in a truck accident is typically complex, as you are pursuing multiple defendants. Truck drivers and their employers are also subject to strict federal laws, which is why you need an attorney who understands how these claims work.
Wrongful Death
If a family member passed away from injuries sustained in a Columbia personal injury accident, you could have the legal right to bring a wrongful death claim. While financial compensation won’t bring your loved one back, it can help with unexpected expenses, funeral costs, etc.
Workers Compensation
If you were injured at your job, our legal team can assist with your Columbia workers’ compensation claim.
Medical Malpractice
At our Columbia office, we have the attorneys and legal support staff to properly evaluate your medical malpractice claim.
Other Types of Cases We Handle
In addition to the types of cases mentioned above, we also routinely handle:
- Dog Bites
- Swimming Pool Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Ride-share Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Boating Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Defective Products
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There isn’t any law that requires you to hire a Columbia personal injury lawyer, but it’s certainly in your best interest. At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., our top priority is to protect your rights. We will handle all communications with the other party’s insurance company and defense lawyers. The other side is looking for anything they can use against you to place blame on you, preventing them from having to pay your claim.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
The type of damages available in your case is dependent on the type of personal injury claim you’re bringing and what your injuries are. There are two main types of damages available in personal injury claims — compensatory and punitive.
Compensatory damages consist of both economic or non-economic damages.
Economic damages consist of items such as:
- Medical expense to date.
- Future medical expenses.
- Loss of earnings.
- Future loss of earning capacity.
- Property damages.
- Rehabilitation and future care.
Non-economic damages are more subjective in value when compared to economic damages, and they include things like:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish.
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of enjoyment of activities.
In limited scenarios, you might have the right to receive punitive damages. These are reserved for cases where the defendant’s actions were intentional or grossly negligent. The idea behind punitive damages is to “punish” the defendant, serving as a deterrent against similar future behavior. Examples of cases where punitive damages may be awarded include:
- Road rage accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective product cases
South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state. That means you could still collect financial compensation for your injuries, but your percentage of fault will reduce the amount you receive. That is why you need a strong liability argument to recover the maximum compensation possible. When you have a personal injury lawyer representing you, we will prepare the strongest case possible to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to after being injured by a negligent party.
What Is My Case Worth in Columbia, SC?
There is no definitive amount that your case is worth in every situation. No two accidents are exactly alike, and neither are their overall values. When you schedule a free consultation with us, we will evaluate your case and give you an honest opinion of what we believe your case value is. We will look at the strengths and weaknesses of your case and go over everything with you, so you understand how we reached this value.
Insurance companies are always looking to place additional blame on you to reduce their potential payout. The more liability they can attribute to you, the less they are responsible for. Don’t let yourself fall victim to insurance companies and their aggressive practices. When you retain a personal injury lawyer, we will protect your rights and keep the insurance company from unfairly placing additional blame on you.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Claim in Columbia, SC?
You only have a limited amount of time to bring a personal injury lawsuit in Columbia. In general, you have three years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within the deadline, the court could dismiss your case, and you will not recover any compensation for your injuries. When you hire an attorney early on in your case, you can relax knowing we will file the lawsuit in a timely manner and preserve the statute of limitations.
What Are the Main Steps in a Columbia Personal Injury Claim?
Once you hire an attorney, we will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s insurance company. If negotiations fail, the usual process is:
- File a lawsuit and serve a summons and complaint on the defendant.
- The defendant will hire an attorney and file an answer on their behalf.
- Discovery starts, which is where we begin gathering evidence, requesting documents, and asking the other side questions. Negotiations will be ongoing in most cases.
- Engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques such as mediation or arbitration to try and resolve the case.
If your case has still not been resolved, we will continue to prepare your case for trial.
What Are Your Firm’s Standard Fees in a Personal Injury Case?
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., we work on a contingency basis. What that means is we don’t bill you by the hour or ask for large payments upfront. Instead, we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation in your case. Personal injury lawyers then take a percentage of any settlement or court award to cover fees and costs.
Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys in Columbia, SC
If you need assistance pursuing a claim for damages in a Columbia, South Carolina, personal injury accident, let the skilled team at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., help. Contact our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
