Duties Property Owners Have in Rock Hill, SC
Under South Carolina law, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors. This includes maintaining the property reasonably safe and repairing any dangerous conditions. Property owners, often through managers and staff, have a duty to:
- Inspect the property regularly for hazardous conditions
- Fix any unsafe conditions in a timely manner
- Give adequate warnings about dangerous conditions that can’t be immediately fixed
- Ensure their buildings and grounds are safe for legal visitors
If you have been injured in an accident on someone else’s property, contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will investigate your case, evaluate your losses, calculate your damages, and build a solid claim so you can recover the maximum compensation available to you.
Five Important Steps to Take If You’ve Been Injured in an Accident on Someone Else’s Property in South Carolina
An accident can happen anywhere. You may get hit by a falling object off a shelf in your local grocery store, have a slip-and-fall accident at your doctor’s office, or trip on a cracked sidewalk outside your apartment building.
At the moment, it can be difficult to know what to do. But there are five important steps you should take if you’ve been injured in an accident on someone else’s property:
- Report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible
- Get medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. For example, if you fell and hit your head, you may feel fine, but you could have a concussion.
- Document the accident scene as much as possible. This includes taking photos of any hazards that caused your fall, getting the contact information for any witnesses, and writing down your recollection of what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind.
- Save all receipts of your accident and injuries, including medical bills, prescriptions, and lost wages.
- Call a premises liability lawyer in Rock Hill as soon as possible. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of recovering full and fair compensation for your losses.
Time is of the essence if you’ve been injured due to someone’s negligence. Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Rock Hill premises liability lawyers. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Premises Liability Claims?
Premises liability claims can cover a wide range of injuries, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling debris accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Whether you’re injured in your local doctor’s office or at a friend’s house, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. It all depends on the circumstances of your accident and whether the property owner was negligent in maintaining their property.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents?
The most common causes of premises liability accidents include:
- Slippery floors
- Uneven sidewalks
- Potholes
- Broken stairs
- Poor lighting
- Defective elevators and escalators
- Lack of security
These are all examples of negligence on the part of the property owner. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by one of these hazards, contact a premises liability in Rock Hill as soon as possible to discuss your case.
What Are the Statutes of Limitations for Premises Liability Cases in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, you must file a premises liability claim three years from your accident. This may seem like a long time, but it’s important to start working on your case as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear over time, and witnesses’ memories can fade. The sooner you get started, the better your chances of recovering full and fair compensation for your losses.
Why You Should Wait to Talk to the Insurance Company If You’ve Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property
The insurance company’s primary focus is on its bottom line, not ensuring you’re fairly compensated for your injuries. The insurance adjuster may try to get you to settle your case quickly and for far less than it’s worth. They may ask you for a statement, but you should never give one until you’ve talked to a lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you, and it’s best to have an experienced attorney by your side when dealing with the insurance company.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our liability lawyers have a combined over 100 years of experience handling personal injury claims. We know how to handle insurance companies and protect our client’s rights.
Holding the Property Owner Responsible for Their Negligence
Holding the property owner responsible for your injuries involves proving they were negligent in maintaining their property. To establish negligence, four things must be true:
- The property owner had a duty to keep the property safe.
- The property owner breached that duty by failing to fix the hazard or warn of the danger.
- You were injured as a direct result of that breach.
- You suffered damages as a result of your injuries.
For example, grocery store owners are responsible for keeping their property safe. This means mopping up spills as soon as they happen and putting up signs to warn customers of the hazard. If the owner or manager fails to do this and you slip and fall, you may be able to file a claim against the store.
Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries in a Rock Hill Personal Injury Claim
If you can prove the owner’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact a personal injury lawyer in Rock Hill today to discuss your case if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property. The initial consultation is free, and you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win your case.
How Much Do You Charge for Your Services?
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. We believe everyone should have access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances.
What Happens if the Property Owner Was Negligent, but My Injuries Weren’t Serious?
It doesn’t matter how severe your injuries are; if the property owner was negligent, you might be able to file a claim. Even if your injuries are relatively minor, you may still incur significant medical bills and miss time from work.
You may also be able to recover damages for pain and suffering, but these are more difficult to quantify. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Rock Hill, SC, will be able to help you determine the value of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Premises Liability Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor’s team of personal injury lawyers has over 100 years of combined experience handling premises liability claims. We understand how daunting it must feel to handle the insurance company and deal with your injuries, but we’re here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property. We’re here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
