We Obtain Compensation for Clients Hurt in West Columbia Accidents

At Hart Law, you’re the main concern. In West Columbia, accidents can throw life off balance, but we’re here to handle the legal side. Our mission is straightforward: secure rightful compensation for West Columbia, South Carolina residents facing unexpected injuries. We delve into the details, collecting evidence to fortify your case. From negotiation to trial, we’re by your side, ensuring accountability for those responsible. Let us manage the legal aspects; you concentrate on your recovery.

Common Personal Injury Cases We Handle in West Columbia, SC

In West Columbia, Hart Law Firm grasps the complexities of personal injury cases, from car accidents to slip and falls. We shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing. Our approach is thorough; we delve into the specifics of each case, whether it’s motor vehicle collisions or wrongful death. Our expertise spans the breadth of personal injury law.

  • Motor vehicle crashes. We can help anyone hurt in a car crash, truck accident, or motorcycle accident. Hart Law can negotiate with the defendant’s liability insurance carrier or your own uninsured/underinsured motorist insurer.
  • Hit and run accidents. It is against the law to flee the scene of an accident, but hundreds do it each year. We can help victims seek compensation, regardless of whether the police find the culprit who injured them.
  • Falls. Our clients fall after slipping or tripping on a hazard. Let Hart Law analyze whether you can bring a claim against the property owner. We seek compensation when the owner creates a hazard or fails to act reasonably to protect visitors.
  • Wrongful death. Our firm can represent family members in a wrongful death claim when a loved one perishes in an accident or from a criminal attack.

Trust us to navigate the complexities and secure the compensation you rightfully deserve for the unique challenges you’re up against. Contact us today.

Personal Injury Damages You May Be Entitled To

In West Columbia, Hart Law Firm is committed to your restoration after a personal injury. We provide guidance on potential compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and the impact on personal relationships. In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may be pursued. Attorney Chris Hart dedicates himself to exhaustively exploring all avenues for your complete and fair compensation, with a primary focus on your recovery.

A fair settlement should cover economic damages, including:

  • Past and future medical treatment. Serious bodily injuries require immediate treatment, and you might need ongoing rehabilitation or physical therapy. Serious brain and spinal cord injuries often require years of medical care.
  • Property damage. Was your car or motorcycle damaged in an accident? We can seek compensation for repairs or possibly to replace a totaled vehicle.
  • Lost wages. Accidents typically require some at-home recovery, which means missing days and weeks at work. We can demand compensation for lost income, wages, and benefits.
  • Loss of earning capacity. Major injuries also prevent many clients from ever returning to their former job. We can seek damages for loss of earning capacity when a worker can only find lower-paying work.

We also seek non-economic damages for pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Let us work to fully document the devastating impacts of an accident so that you receive fair compensation.

Reach out to a lawyer to discuss how much you can expect in a personal injury settlement. There are more factors to consider, including the defendant’s resources.

What Does The Personal Injury Claims Process Look Like For My Case?

Every case follows its own path. Different issues arise for each client, which must be tackled efficiently and in a timely manner. A simple case might settle in nine months, while more complicated injury cases take more than a year.

Here are common steps in most personal injury cases:

  • Evidence collection and medical treatment. Your case begins the moment you are hurt. Most of the evidence for a claim is at the accident scene, so try to get pictures and talk with witnesses who stop. Also, your treatment is a critical part of the claims process. You can document the injuries you suffered by going to the hospital, which is an important step.
  • Claim analysis. Your West Columbia personal injury lawyer will review the evidence to determine fault for the accident, while also calculating the value of your injuries.
  • Negotiation. After pinpointing the correct defendant, we can make a demand for compensation. Our policy is to be aggressive in negotiations, but the defendant will likely make a lower counteroffer.
  • Mediation. We sometimes attend mediation to discuss the dispute with a mediator. This process is sometimes helpful for breaking through any disagreements and finding solutions that benefit both sides.
  • Litigation and trial. Some cases end up in court, usually because the defendant refuses to pay a fair settlement. Chris Hart knows his way around a courtroom and can take whatever steps are necessary to seek a justified financial recovery.

Will You Have to Testify?

It’s possible if your case goes to trial. Chris Hart spent years in a courtroom watching South Carolina’s most experienced advocates. He can prepare his clients for any possible trial.

Most accident victims must give a deposition at some point in the case. This is an opportunity for the defense to ask a question, which you answer under oath. We usually hold depositions in a conference room with a court reporter, or the deposition is recorded. The purpose of a deposition is to give each side a chance to uncover helpful evidence.

Hart Law is not afraid of litigation, which gives us a leg up on insurance companies. They know we will gladly head into court to protect our clients’ rights.

What is the Statute of Limitations in South Carolina?

Currently, South Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations. This is the maximum amount of time an accident victim has to file a lawsuit. If you file within that deadline, then your lawsuit is timely. Go over the deadline, even by a day, and the defendant can ask a judge to dismiss the case. You lose the ability to hold the defendant accountable.

A shorter deadline might apply in certain cases, such as when you are injured by a negligent government agency or employee. Call our office. It is vital that our clients meet all deadlines.

How Comparative Negligence Can Undercut Your Claim

Many accident victims contribute to their injuries because of their own lack of care. For example:

  • A motorist who was distracted by a cell phone when they were hit by a speeding motorist.
  • A customer who was staring at their phone and did not see a puddle of water on the floor, so they fell.
  • A pedestrian who lunged across the street even though the “Do Not Walk” sign was illuminated.

In South Carolina, a person’s negligence will result in a reduced payout based on their share of fault. Someone who is 40% to blame for their accident will receive 40% less.

South Carolina law will also cut off the ability to receive any compensation if your share of fault is over 50%. That would mean you cannot force a defendant to pay anything, regardless of your disabilities. Contact Hart Law. We fully analyze all facts so we can confidently minimize our client’s negligence, if any.

FAQs by West Columbia Clients

Q. Are there limits on the compensation I can receive for my personal injury in West Columbia?

South Carolina does not have specific caps on compensation for personal injury cases. The amount you receive will depend on the circumstances of your case. A major factor is whether the defendant has insurance or other resources. An uninsured defendant without any money in the bank could be “judgment proof,” which means you can win a case but still not receive any money.

Q. Is there a deadline for notifying the at-fault party in West Columbia before filing a lawsuit?

South Carolina doesn’t have a specific requirement for notifying the at-fault party before filing a lawsuit. However, it’s advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to ensure you adhere to legal timelines. There are deadlines when a defendant is a government agency or worker.

Q. Can I file a personal injury claim in West Columbia if I was a pedestrian involved in a car accident?

Yes, pedestrians have the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by a negligent driver. Your claim may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Hire an attorney, because many drivers blame pedestrians for their collisions.

Injured In West Columbia, SC? Call A Personal Injury Lawyer At Hart Law!​

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in West Columbia at no fault of your own, contact us. We’re here to help. Have questions about your situation, or not sure if you need a car accident attorney to assist with your case? No problem. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so you have nothing to lose. Send our law firm a message online or give us a call.