Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer
When someone acts recklessly, carelessly, or with intentional malice towards someone else, they may bear financial liability in civil court for any injuries their actions caused. Often, this financial responsibility accounts for medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, and lost income related to an injury. Unfortunately, knowing someone else is responsible for your injury and proving them responsible are two very different things.
In situations like this, assistance from experienced legal counsel can make all the difference in achieving a successful case resolution that gets you the compensation you deserve. In addition to valuing your claim appropriately and building a comprehensive case, a Greenville personal injury lawyer can help you navigate around legal and procedural obstacles that could prevent you from financial recovery.
Determining a Personal Injury Claim’s Value
There is no absolute value for personal injury cases based on the type of accident that occurred, the specific people involved, or whether there are criminal charges levied against the defendant(s) separately from any civil proceedings. Instead, the compensation available to personal injury plaintiffs depends on the specific harm they suffered and the short and long-term effects those injuries have on their lives.
For example, if a driver’s misconduct causes an accident, any injured individuals involved in the crash could demand compensation for emergency medical bills, short-term lost wages, physical pain and suffering, and personal property damage. However, if the incident left someone paralyzed, a civil suit can compensate them for long-term damages like lost earning capacity, home modification costs, and reduced quality of life. A skilled attorney with experience handling injury cases in Greenville can determine the value of a claim and demand fair compensation for claimants injured in an avoidable accident.
Basic Rules for Pursuing Civil Compensation
Establishing fault for a personal injury is typically a matter of establishing negligence by the defendant(s) named in their claim. To demonstrate recklessness, legal representatives must:
- Establish that a defendant owed a plaintiff a duty of care
- Prove the defendant “breached” their duty through a careless act
- Connect that misconduct to a specific accident
- Show that the accident primarily caused the damages for which the injured party is demanding compensation
Several rules and restrictions can inhibit claims based on negligence. For example, court precedent in South Carolina allows civil courts to assign percentages of total fault to plaintiffs who contribute to their own injuries. In these cases, courts can reduce a liable plaintiff’s final damage award proportionately or bar them from recovery altogether.
Furthermore, the South Carolina Code of Laws §15-3-530 requires that all plaintiffs file a personal injury suit within three years of an accident that caused their injuries. To ensure that a claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe, it is vital to contact a local injury lawyer in Greenville.
Talk to a Greenville Personal Injury Attorney About Legal Options
No matter where, when, or how they happen, personal injuries can alter every aspect of your life and make it difficult to maintain financial stability. Fortunately, help is available from knowledgeable legal professionals with years of experience.
A Greenville personal injury lawyer at Price Benowitz can discuss your case with you, identify whether you might have grounds for legal action, and offer preliminary guidance about what the claim process might look like during a private consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
