Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer
Helping Clients Recover Compensation for Their Personal Injury Claim
When calculating the value of a personal injury claim, a skilled Greenville personal injury lawyer considers several factors, including the severity of the injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The attorney will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, such as whether the at-fault party exceeded the speed limit or drove under the influence. They will also assess the long-term impact of the injuries on the victim’s life, including any permanent disability or brain damage.
Insurance companies, property owners, and negligent drivers want to put this behind them as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Their first settlement offer may sound perfect as if it will cover all of your stacked-up bills. However, that settlement offer rarely takes the future into consideration, and these people know it. Working with a personal injury lawyer gives you the tools and knowledge you need to get the appropriate compensation you deserve.
The majority of personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are only paid if they successfully recover compensation for their client. By working with an experienced Greenville personal injury lawyer, injured individuals can focus on their recovery while their attorney handles the legal aspects of their claim.
Being injured in an accident can turn your entire world upside down. One moment, you’re living your life—and the next, you’re out of work, facing mounting medical bills, and fielding nonstop calls from insurance adjusters who don’t have your best interests at heart. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming. At Hammack Law Firm, we understand just how stressful and isolating this time can be. That’s why our approach is rooted in compassion, patience, and a deep commitment to guiding you through every step of the legal process. You’re not just another case to us—you’re a person going through one of the most difficult chapters of your life, and we’re here to help you regain control of your future.
What Should You Do to Protect Your Personal Injury Case?
After suffering a personal injury, such as a dog bite or a spinal cord injury from a road accident, it is crucial to take steps to protect your case. It is important to understand that your case doesn’t start when you hire legal representation. It starts at the moment of your accident. The following are important steps to support your health and physical recovery while helping to provide and protect evidence to support your case:
| Step | Description |
| 1. Seek Medical Attention | Prioritize your health and undergo the necessary treatment |
| 2. Document the Incident | Gather evidence, such as photos and witness statements |
| 3. Contact an Attorney | Consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options |
| 4. File a Claim | Your attorney will file a claim on your behalf and negotiate with insurers |
Seeking medical attention and following your treatment plan are two of the most important things you should do in your personal injury case. Defending attorneys attack the injured party, trying to discredit their claim by saying their injuries weren’t a result of their client’s actions or that their client’s injuries weren’t that bad because they failed to follow their doctor’s orders.
By taking these steps and working with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can protect your rights and seek the compensation you need for your injuries and losses.
Do You Need Help Dealing With the Insurance Companies?
After a serious accident, such as a premises liability incident or a drunk driving crash, dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize the value of your claim or even deny it altogether, leaving you without the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Insurance companies often use shady tactics to minimize the amount they will pay. They may approach you with a friendly “We’re on your side” attitude, trying to get you to slip up. They will almost assuredly tell you, “This is the best offer,” which is almost never true. They may even attempt to convince you that you are more liable for the incident than you are so they can pay you less.
In some cases, the negligent party’s conduct may be so egregious that punitive damages are warranted.
A skilled Greenville personal injury lawyer can handle communication with the insurance companies on your behalf, seeking to ensure that your rights are protected and helping you pursue the full compensation you need, whether through negotiation or by taking your case to trial.
Avoid Making Statements That Can Sabotage Your Personal Injury Claim
After a motor vehicle accident, it is essential to be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters, as they may use your statements to assert comparative negligence or downplay the severity of your injuries, such as whiplash or a neck injury. When an insurance company asks you to give an official statement, or they start asking questions that make you feel uncomfortable, say this line:
“I’ve hired an attorney to handle my claim. I will not make any statement or discuss the case with you. Please contact my attorney at Hammack Law Firm; their phone number is 864-766-7108.”
This is not only true for insurance companies. At the time of your accident, avoid giving the officer more information than they ask for. Never take responsibility for any part of your accident. Telling anyone who is making you uncomfortable about the details of your case to speak with your attorney is always the best thing you can do.
Your personal injury attorney can advise you on how to communicate with insurers to protect your claim and hold the at-fault party accountable for breaching their duty of care.
How Do We Prove Your Personal Injury Claim
Understanding the concept of negligence and the factors required to establish liability is essential to successfully proving a personal injury claim in South Carolina.
The Factors Required To Prove Your South Carolina Personal Injury Claim
To prove a personal injury claim in South Carolina, a plaintiff (the injured person seeking compensation from the other party) must demonstrate that the defendant’s actions or inaction directly caused their injuries, such as a catastrophic injury, burn, or psychological trauma due to an accident involving reckless driving. The plaintiff’s attorney will gather evidence to establish the defendant’s negligence, the extent of the plaintiff’s damages, and the impact on their health and well-being.
You and your attorney will need to establish the following factors in your personal injury case:
- Duty: The plaintiff must demonstrate the defendant had a duty of care to avoid harming the plaintiff.
- Breach: The plaintiff demonstrates the defendant failed to uphold their duty to avoid harming the plaintiff.
- Causation: The plaintiff must show that the defendant’s breach of duty led to the plaintiff’s injuries and losses.
- Damages: The plaintiff demonstrates the extent of injuries or losses for which they seek compensation.
A skilled personal injury attorney will gather evidence, such as witness statements, employment records, and wage information, to demonstrate the extent of the damages suffered by their client. A personal injury attorney will employ expert witnesses to prove your non-economic damages. They will present this information to the insurance company or, if necessary, to a jury to seek the compensation their client needs.
Understanding Modified Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
In South Carolina, negligence is the foundation of the majority of personal injury claims, which argue that the defendant’s carelessness in breaching the duty of care caused injuries and losses to the plaintiff. South Carolina follows a rule of modified comparative negligence, in which a plaintiff’s potential compensation award is reduced by their level of fault, and a plaintiff found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident is not eligible for any compensation at all. Comparative negligence can also reduce the amount of compensation the injured party can successfully seek. For example, if it is found that you are 20% liable for your accident, your settlement or court award will be 20% less.
People are often led to believe that if they are at all liable for the accident that led to their injuries, they are unable to file a personal injury lawsuit. Modified comparative negligence means you are still able to recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% responsible for your injuries.
What Damages Can Be Recovered?
Personal injury cases cover a broad range of circumstances. Whether your injuries are a result of a car accident, motorcycle accident, medical malpractice, or a property owner’s negligence, damages are generally sorted into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
This category of damages can be proven using medical bills, repair invoices, and anything else that is easily verifiable. They often include:
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Medical bills
Repairing damaged property
Non-Economic Damages
This category of damages is often more difficult to prove. They are often referred to as “intangible losses,” which most people tend to consider negligible. We understand that even if you can’t see these losses, they are having an impact on your life. They often include:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Disfigurement or permanent disability
Loss of companionship
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will be able to consider your entire case and all of the losses you have suffered and determine the maximum compensation owed to you.
How Can a Greenville Personal Injury Attorney at Hammack Law Firm Help?
A skilled Greenville personal injury attorney serves as a beacon of guidance, leading clients through every step of the journey toward justice and compensation. From the initial consultation to assess the merits of the case to the intricate process of filing claims and negotiating with insurance companies, an experienced attorney provides the skills and support necessary to ensure that the rights of the injured are protected at every turn.
Hammack Law Firm can help you with the following in your personal injury case.
A Free Initial Consultation to Assess Your Case
During a free initial consultation, our Greenville personal injury attorneys carefully listen to the client’s account of the incident to assess the merits of the case. We will gather essential details, review relevant documentation, and provide an honest evaluation of the case’s strengths and potential challenges.
Based on this assessment, we will offer personalized guidance on the right course of action, taking into account your unique circumstances and goals. We will explain the legal process, potential outcomes, and the steps required to pursue a viable claim.
Filing a Timely Claim
South Carolina law only allows three years to file your personal injury claim. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” Failing to file your claim within this time frame can result in you losing your right to file a claim. If the injured person is a minor, the timeline can be extended.
Three years may sound like plenty of time, but you should never wait to file. A delayed personal injury case may result in the negligent party’s attorney claiming your injuries occurred after the accident and were not caused by their client. Evidence may become inaccessible, and witnesses may move away or change their minds. Hammack Law Firm can help ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner, maximizing your odds of recovering compensation.
Filing Claims and Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Our Greenville personal injury attorneys handle the complex process of filing claims on behalf of our clients. We meticulously gather evidence, compile necessary documentation, and ensure that deadlines are met to strengthen the case.
When negotiating with insurance companies, our Greenville attorneys employ strong negotiation skills to advocate for fair compensation. We counter lowball offers, present compelling arguments, and tirelessly work to seek the maximum settlement for our clients. When you are tired of dealing with the insurance companies, tell them to speak with your personal injury lawyer at Hammack Law Firm.
Seeking Maximum Compensation Through Skilled Representation
Pursuing the maximum compensation for personal injury victims requires the knowledge of a skilled Greenville attorney who leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. By identifying the applicable sources of compensation and leveraging evidence to strengthen claims, our dedicated legal professionals fight tirelessly to help our clients seek the full financial recovery they need. Many settlement offers are insultingly low and don’t consider future medical bills.
Identifying The Possible Sources of Compensation
Our Greenville personal injury attorneys thoroughly investigate each case to identify each potential source of compensation. They examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the parties involved, and any applicable insurance policies to ensure that no avenue for recovery is overlooked.
By exploring various angles, such as third-party liability or underinsured motorist coverage, our Greenville attorneys seek the maximum compensation clients need. Did you know that in commercial truck accident claims, the truck driver, the company they work for, and the company hired to maintain their trucks could all be liable for a personal injury claim? We aim to address each relevant consideration and angle in our pursuit of justice and financial recovery for the injured.
Using Evidence to Strengthen Your Claim
Our Greenville personal injury attorneys diligently gather and preserve crucial evidence to build robust claims on behalf of our clients. We collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photographs to paint a clear picture of the incident and its impact on the victim’s life.
By meticulously organizing and presenting compelling evidence, our Greenville attorneys create a strong foundation for negotiations and legal proceedings. We utilize expert testimony, accident reconstruction, and other evidence to demonstrate the extent of the damages suffered and the liable party’s responsibility.
Gathering and presenting compelling evidence is a crucial aspect of proving a personal injury claim in Greenville. A skilled Greenville personal injury attorney understands the vital role that evidence plays in building a strong case and pursuing fair compensation for their clients. Our personal injury lawyers employ meticulous strategies to collect and leverage various types of evidence to ensure that no critical detail is overlooked in the pursuit of justice. This is a skill that only experienced personal injury lawyers have.
Gathering Documentation and Witness Statements
Our Greenville personal injury attorneys diligently gather essential documentation to support clients’ claims. They collect medical records, bills, and reports that detail the extent of the injuries suffered and the associated costs. Additionally, we collect police reports, accident scene photos, and any relevant correspondence to establish a clear timeline of events.
A personal injury lawyer will tell you exactly what you should be keeping track of. They may have you take progress pictures of your recovery. They may ask you to keep a journal where you write how the pain from your injuries has altered your life.
Witness statements play a crucial role in corroborating the victim’s account of the incident. Our Greenville attorneys interview eyewitnesses, record their statements, and seek their cooperation for future legal proceedings. We also gather statements from expert witnesses, such as medical professionals or accident reconstruction specialists, to provide authoritative insights that strengthen the case.
Utilizing Medical Reports to Quantify Injuries
Medical reports play a pivotal role in quantifying the extent and severity of injuries suffered by personal injury victims. Greenville attorneys carefully review and analyze these reports to establish a clear connection between the incident and the consequential physical, emotional, and financial damages.
By utilizing detailed medical documentation, including diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and prognoses, Greenville personal injury attorneys paint a compelling picture of the victim’s suffering and the long-term impact on their quality of life. This evidence forms the foundation for calculating fair compensation to address medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Determining When to Settle or Go to Trial With Your Injury Case
Deciding whether to settle or proceed to trial in a personal injury case is a critical decision that requires careful consideration and guidance from an experienced Greenville attorney.
Settling out of court is always ideal. It is cheaper and faster than going through the court process. That doesn’t mean it is always the right choice, and our legal team is not afraid of litigation.
By evaluating settlement offers against potential verdicts, weighing the risks and benefits of each option, and providing strategic advice tailored to the client’s unique circumstances, a skilled legal professional empowers injury victims to make informed choices that align with their interests.
Evaluating Settlement Offers Against Potential Verdicts
Our Greenville personal injury attorneys carefully evaluate settlement offers, taking into account the strength of the evidence, the extent of damages, and the likelihood of success at trial. They use their experience and knowledge of past verdicts in similar cases to assess whether the settlement offer is fair and reasonable.
When a settlement offer fails to adequately compensate the victim, our Greenville attorneys advise their clients on the potential risks and rewards of proceeding to trial. We provide candid guidance, empowering clients to make informed decisions that align with their unique circumstances and goals.
Our personal injury attorneys possess the local familiarity, legal knowledge, and unwavering dedication to fight for the rights of injury victims. We navigate the complex legal landscape, gather compelling evidence, and build strong cases to pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
How Do You Get Started With A Personal Injury Lawyer at Hammack Law Firm?
Hammack Law Firm represents clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, and wrongful death claims. We understand the devastating impact a serious injury or the loss of a loved one can have on a family. Our lawyers work closely with clients to understand their unique needs and goals, providing compassionate support throughout the legal process. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, Hammack Law Firm is prepared to take the case to trial and present a compelling case in court to fight for the compensation their clients need.
We offer free consultations to individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. During the consultation, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney will review the details of the case, including any police reports or medical records, and discuss the client’s legal options. We understand the stress and challenges that come with pursuing a personal injury claim and strive to provide compassionate, personalized support.
Do not wait — Gain a better understanding of your rights and the potential value of your claim. Contact one of our Hammack Law Firm team members by calling 864-766-7108 or filling out our online form today. Hammack Law Firm is committed to helping clients navigate the complex legal process and seek a positive resolution for their case. From motor vehicle accidents to slip and falls – we’ve got you covered.
We put the personal back in “personal injury.”