Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC
Accidents in today’s world seem to happen all the time, and often, they happen out of nowhere. Even the most prepared individuals can be caught off guard when by someone else’s negligence. You could be out for dinner with your partner at the highest rated fine dining restaurant in Charleston and then, on the way home, you could be sideswiped by a speeding driver on their smartphone.
Victims in such scenarios are often left with the ability to earn money and provide for their families when they’re injured in car crashes and other personal injury cases. Without the guidance of a personal injury attorney in Charleston, SC, they give statements to insurance companies by mistake, which compromises settlement agreements. It’s only after they struggle that they realize they deserve much, much more than they received.
- Your Local Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC
- Get Personal Injury Results and Reliable Representation While You Recover
- What Makes Cobb Hammett a Top Personal Injury Law Firm?
- Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims in Charleston, SC
- Are You Eligible for South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
- Why Should You Hire a Workers’ Compensation Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC?
- Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win. Fight for Your Rights After an Auto Accident in Charleston, SC
- What You Should Know About Auto Accidents in Charleston, SC
- Experience the Cobb Hammett Difference
Have you been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault? Have you asked yourself any of the following questions, like:
- How will I pay for my hospital bills?
- Am I going to be terminated from my job because I can’t work?
- Will I ever be able to live an independent life again?
- Was the person who hit me negligent, and will I get the compensation I deserve?
- I’m scared about the future. What will happen next now that I’m injured?
Statistics show us that personal injury cases in South Carolina are quite prevalent, making up 36% of civil court filings. It makes sense, then, that injured victims have questions like those listed above. At Cobb Hammett, our collective hearts ache for these people, who must now suffer needlessly.
When you dig deeper, you realize that these victims aren’t just struggling to keep going because of being injured. They’re trying to put the piece back together mentally as well, all while trying to make ends meet to cover doctor’s visits, hospital expenses, and more. The good news is that South Carolina’s personal injury laws dictate that those deemed responsible for your pain and suffering have to pay for the aforementioned expenses. With Cobb Hammett leading the way, you’ve got a true shot at receiving substantial compensation – money that you absolutely deserve.
Get Personal Injury Results and Reliable Representation While You Recover
If you have sustained injuries in an accident in South Carolina, you are entitled to file either an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault. Should the insurance provider not present a reasonable settlement, it makes sense to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Charleston, SC.
At Cobb Hammett, we aim to assist accident victims in South Carolina in securing the highest amount of compensation possible for things like medical bills, recovery, pain and suffering, and more. To do so, we take an approach that assumes your case is unique. That’s why we adopt a customized approach for every case that we handle. We want to educate you and put you at ease, and that begins with a complimentary consultation and discussion with an experienced personal injury lawyer. In this first meeting, we will evaluate your accident, assess liability, and suggest the most suitable legal path for you.
Our personal injury lawyers specialize in a range of case types, including but not limited to:
Car Wrecks in South Carolina
Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina
Dog Bites in South Carolina
Trucking Accidents in South Carolina
Slip & Fall Accidents in South Carolina
Much More
What Makes Cobb Hammett a Top Personal Injury Law Firm?
Put simply, we put our clients’ needs first before anything, work tirelessly to protect their rights, and fight insurance companies that are intent on minimizing compensation.
Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyers
You can rest easy knowing your case will be handled by highly experienced and effective attorneys specializing in South Carolina personal injury law. We have years of collective experience and will put our expertise to work for you when it matters most. We collect NO FEES until you are compensated.
Cobb Hammett Works for YOU
Cobb Hammett Works for YOU Like the most popular monument near Charleston, we stand tall for you when you’re at your lowest. We’re dedicated to handling your personal injury claim – not one that has similar circumstances. After all, every case and situation is different and requires a nuanced, custom approach.
One-on-One Attention
We’ll speak with you one-on-one and keep our phone lines open when you have questions or concerns. We have the proper tools and training to oversee your case with confidence and expertise.
Now that you understand why Cobb Hammett is one of South Carolina’s premier personal injury firms, let’s dive into more info on workers’ compensation and car accident cases – two of the most common types of claims we help oversee.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims in South Carolina
With a reported incident rate of 1.9 personal injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023, it’s clear that unfortunate accidents happen on the job in the Palmetto State. In fact, in 2022, 132 fatal injuries occurred in the workplace. These injuries happen at many different companies. In fact, personal injury lawyers in Charleston, SC, have fought many big-name brands for personal injury issues, including:
Kapstone
Rober Bosch Corporation
Volvo
Boeing
BMW
Medical University of South Carolina
Roper Hospital
College of Charleston
Many More
Although there isn't a unified federal statute regarding workers' compensation, each state in the U.S. operates its own workers' compensation system. It doesn’t take a graduate from the largest university near Charleston to know that this program offers financial assistance to employees who suffer from job-related injuries or illnesses. Generally, an injured worker can obtain workers' compensation benefits without having to demonstrate their employer's negligence. In return, the employee relinquishes the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the employer.
Within the state workers' compensation framework, an injured employee will be compensated for all necessary medical care following a workplace incident. If the injury or illness results in more than seven days of missed employment, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly salary, subject to a maximum limit.
Workers may also be eligible for compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The highest compensation available for death or total disability is 500 weeks of benefits. Lifetime benefits are accessible in cases of quadriplegia, paraplegia, and traumatic brain injuries.
Are You Eligible for South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
In South Carolina, the majority of workers can receive workers’ compensation benefits if they sustain an injury or illness while on the job. Employees are not required to establish fault; they simply need to demonstrate that the injury or illness occurred at work or during activities related to their job. Unfortunately, there are certain exceptions outlined in the SC State Workers’ Compensation Act, indicating that some employers are ineligible for workers’ compensation coverage.
Restrictions may include:
- Casual Employees
- Small Businesses Employing Three or Fewer Workers
- Federal Employees
- Some Realtors
- Agricultural Workers
- Railroad Workers
- Corporate Officers
Employers covered by the SC State Workers’ Compensation Act are required to have the minimum necessary amounts of workers’ compensation insurance. If you’re working to recover after a workplace injury, reach out to Cobb Hammett today. Our personal injury lawyers will diligently strive to provide you with the assistance you need to restore your life.
Why Should You Hire a Workers’ Compensation Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC?
Many injured workers believe that they can cut costs by not hiring a personal injury attorney to manage their workers’ compensation claims. However, the reality is that many individuals end up losing money or they fail to receive the full compensation they deserve when they forego legal representation. If you've recently suffered an injury at work and are uncertain about whether to seek legal help for your case, consider these important points.
Insurance Companies Know Personal Injury Lawyers Create Risk
Skilled workers’ compensation lawyers create risk, which insurance companies dislike because it can lead to financial loss. An experienced lawyer develops strategies to maximize your benefits and gathers admissible evidence for hearings. Understanding your entitled benefits and how to prove your case can be complex, even for attorneys. This is why having professional help from a qualified lawyer is essential in workers’ compensation cases.
Personal Injury Lawyers Help Determine if You Have a Valid Workers’ Comp Claim
Injured people must file a workers’ comp claim to safeguard their rights and help ensure that they get compensated fairly. Despite that, many people submit claims before hiring a lawyer to determine if their claim is valid.
Reasons for this usually include:
- Job Termination Fear
- Existing Conditions
- Desire to Continue Working After Reporting the Injury to Management
It's important to understand that the decisions you make don’t automatically exclude you from filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is why partnering with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer is crucial. Skilled attorneys, like those at Cobb Hammett, will carefully evaluate your situation and help you determine if you have a valid claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Personal Injury Lawyers Help Determine if You Have a Valid Workers’ Comp Claim
Injured people must file a workers’ comp claim to safeguard their rights and help ensure that they get compensated fairly. Despite that, many people submit claims before hiring a lawyer to determine if their claim is valid.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win. Fight for Your Rights After an Auto Accident in South Carolina
Most drivers agree that getting in a fender bender is a huge headache, even when it’s not your fault. The police get called, the other driver gets angry, and insurance companies jump in to facilitate repairs. A small dent is one thing, but a serious car wreck is an entirely different story.
Could you imagine driving responsibly down the busiest highway near Charleston only to be sideswiped by a negligent motorist on their phone?
The impact of such an event can be traumatic and far-reaching, especially when serious injuries are involved. Auto accident survivors often experience PTSD, emotional distress, and many physical challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these horrible events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in Charleston, SC, can increase the chances of obtaining much-needed compensation.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Here’s a challenging reality to accept: Insurance companies typically strive to minimize their payouts. Fortunately, you can safeguard yourself from their strategies by obtaining appropriate legal assistance for your personal injury case.
When you notify an insurer about an accident, they will assign an adjuster to your situation. However, adjusters handle numerous cases and may not fully grasp the specifics of yours. If an insurance claims adjuster reaches out to you, proceed with caution. They are not prioritizing your best interests. It's common for adjusters to advocate for settlements that fall short of your claim's true value.
If you communicate with an adjuster, stick to the essential facts and do not give a recorded statement or consent to any settlement. Instead, hold off until after you've consulted with a personal injury lawyer. At Cobb Hammett, our group of car accident attorneys will evaluate the real value of your claim and safeguard you from being exploited by insurance companies.
What You Should Know About Auto Accidents in South Carolina
When you work with a personal injury lawyer in Charleston, SC, from Cobb Hammett, there’s no need to be an expert on South Carolina auto accident laws. That’s what we’re here for: to be a reliable source of knowledge, expertise, and action. We have the resources and experience to handle any auto accident case in the Lowcountry.
Our long-time auto accident lawyers are happy to oversee legal proceedings on your behalf and strive to provide peace of mind as we negotiate an acceptable resolution. With that said, knowledge is power. Keep these facts in mind so you can better protect your rights.
South Carolina’s “Fault” System of Insurance
South Carolina’s “Fault” System of Insurance Like other states, South Carolina functions under a "fault" insurance model. This system requires the driver deemed at fault for the accident to compensate the injured party for their damages.
The Statute of Limitations in South Carolina
You should be aware that there's a deadline, referred to as the statute of limitations, for submitting an auto accident claim in South Carolina. Generally, you must pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another involved party within three years of the accident. However, there are specific situations where you need to take action within two years. If you do not lodge your personal injury claim within the designated timeframe, you might lose your opportunity to file a claim permanently.
Comparative Fault Laws in South Carolina
If you find yourself in a car accident that results in a personal injury claim due to someone else's negligence, the court needs to establish that you (the plaintiff) are not more than 50% responsible for the incident. Should you be deemed more than 50% at fault, you will lose the ability to pursue compensation. In contrast, if it's determined that you are 50% or less at fault, you will be entitled to receive some compensation. However, your award will be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you.
How Does Negligence Affect Auto Accident Claims in South Carolina?
When drivers are on the road, they must be careful and attentive to their surroundings. This includes being vigilant about other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver decides to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they’re most likely acting negligently.
Negligence includes acting carelessly and often ends with other motorists getting injured or worse. Some other examples of negligence in South Carolina include:
- DUI
- Improper Lane Changes
- Speeding
- Failure to Yield
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
- Distracted Driving
- Much More
If you've been in a car accident and need clarity on local laws or how negligence applies to your case, don’t hesitate to set up a free claim assessment with Cobb Hammett today.
Understanding your rights and filing a claim promptly allows our lawyers to advocate effectively on your behalf. Our team of accident lawyers is committed to safeguarding your interests, regardless of the challenges posed by insurance companies and the complexities of South Carolina's legal system.
Experience the Cobb Hammett Difference
Whether you were just hurt badly in an auto accident or you’re struggling after getting injured at work, know that our team of personal injury lawyers is ready to help. As insurance claims experts, we employ effective strategies to negotiate with insurance companies, so you get the maximum amount of compensation available.
Unlike some personal injury firms, we never charge you unless we win and always prioritize compassionate service and hard work. That’s the Cobb Hammett difference. Contact our offices in South Carolina today so that we can fight for your rights tomorrow.
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Service Areas
- Your Local Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC
- Get Personal Injury Results and Reliable Representation While You Recover
- What Makes Cobb Hammett a Top Personal Injury Law Firm?
- Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims in Charleston, SC
- Are You Eligible for South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
- Why Should You Hire a Workers’ Compensation Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC?
- Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win. Fight for Your Rights After an Auto Accident in Charleston, SC
- What You Should Know About Auto Accidents in Charleston, SC
- Experience the Cobb Hammett Difference