Personal Injury Lawyers in Charleston & Summerville

Charleston Injury Attorney Protecting the Rights of the Injured in South Carolina

If you are involved in an accident and suffer damages, you may be legally entitled to compensation from the negligent and responsible parties or their insurance carriers. Although it may be tempting to fight insurance companies on your own, the simple truth is that they do not have your best interests at heart. In fact, their ultimate goal is to protect their own bottom line, which means adjusters are incentivized to deny claims or diminish their value.

This is where a Charleston personal injury attorney can help. You deserve compensation for your injuries and damages. You need to be confident that you are receiving effective legal representation to work toward your desired result in a personal injury accident claim.

Injured in South Carolina? Contact our personal injury lawyers in Charleston at (843) 790-0083 now to discuss your legal options and the potential value of your personal injury claim.

Let Our Injury Lawyers Help You Navigate the Complexities of Personal Injury Law

Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A. helps individuals who have been injured through no fault of their own and due to someone else’s negligence. Our Charleston personal injury attorneys fight back against insurance companies to make sure that the victim’s voice is heard.

Our Charleston personal injury attorneys handle cases involving:

• Automobile Accidents
• Slip, Trip and Falls
• Products Liability
• Premises Liability
• Dog Bites
• Nursing Home/Elder Abuse
• Wrongful Death
• DUI Auto Accidents
• Dramshop/Bar Fights
• Trucking Accidents
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Fireworks Injuries
• Trip and Falls
• Watercraft/Boating Accidents
• Construction Site Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Defective Vehicles
• Dangerous Roadways

Seeking Compensation for Accident-Related Damages in South Carolina

If you are in an accident, no matter what kind, you might sustain an injury. However, many people are not immediately aware that they have suffered harm and do not feel pain or other effects until hours or days later. It can be difficult to know what to do after being involved in an accident where you thought you weren’t harmed, only to realize later that you were actually injured. You may also have expensive bills associated with being harmed, which could include the costs of emergency medical services, emergency room visits, the expense of a follow-up doctor or specialist, or physical therapy and prescription medications. If these costs come out of your pocket, receiving compensation can be one of the only ways you will be able to regain financial security.

Returning to normal life after such an event can be challenging. At a confusing time like this, the last thing you will likely want to deal with is paperwork for your claim. Do not let an accident that could have been prevented or was not your fault cause you any additional turmoil. Leave the heavy lifting to us.

Why Hire a Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer?

A professional personal injury lawyer can thoroughly investigate your accident, make sure that the information on any accident-related paperwork is accurate, meaning that rejection of a claim is less likely. Thus, it is important to seek the services of an experienced Charleston accident attorney as soon as possible – preferably before you begin dealing with an insurance provider or adjusters. Your lawyer can protect your rights, preserve your best interests, and fight to maximize the value of your claim.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim Without a Lawyer?

Filing a personal injury claim without the help of an attorney can leave you at a serious disadvantage. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and they will often try to minimize the amount of compensation their clients receive for their injuries. They may also be more likely to challenge liability or attempt to deny payment altogether if the claim is not presented in a timely manner or with sufficient evidence. An experienced lawyer, on the other hand, understands how to best negotiate with insurance companies and ensure that victims get the fullest possible compensation they are entitled to.

An attorney can also provide invaluable legal advice throughout the process and ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly. In addition, attorneys have access to resources such as medical experts who can testify on behalf of their clients and provide evidence to back up the claim. Furthermore, an attorney can explain the legal implications of any settlement agreements that may be offered by the insurance company.

Finally, an attorney has experience dealing with a variety of personal injury cases and understands how to best represent their client's interests. By having an experienced lawyer on your side, you can rest assured knowing that you are likely to receive a fair settlement for your injuries. Without such support, you may find yourself in a much weaker position when attempting to navigate the complicated process of filing a personal injury claim.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in South Carolina?

In accidents involving personal injury, time is of the essence. Retaining legal representation immediately is crucial because of the filing deadlines set by state law and insurance companies. The longer you wait to file a claim, the harder it will be for you to provide all the information necessary to prove your case.

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. This means that after that three-year time limit elapses, victims will forfeit their right to pursue compensation. If the statute of limitations ends, it will be nearly impossible to receive compensation for the losses and damages you have suffered, so do not wait to get in touch with our firm.

A competent and experienced Charleston injury lawyer will know these deadlines and the statute of limitations associated with your case. They will be able to prepare the lawsuit and claim to tell your side of the story and make your voice heard.

Can You Get Compensation If the Accident Was Your Fault?

Despite sharing blame in causing an accident, you may still be able to collect monetary damages. In South Carolina, the modified comparative negligence rule is used to determine how damages should be awarded in personal injury cases where both the plaintiff and the defendant share some degree of fault for the injury. Under this rule, the plaintiff's damages award is reduced by their percentage of fault, but they can still recover damages as long as their degree of fault is not greater than the defendant's.

Specifically, if a plaintiff is found to be 50 percent or more at fault for their injuries, they are barred from recovering any damages from the defendant. However, if the plaintiff's degree of fault is less than 50 percent, their damages award will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 20 percent at fault for their injuries and the defendant is found to be 80 percent at fault, the plaintiff's damages award will be reduced by 20 percent.

Keep in mind, South Carolina follows the doctrine of modified comparative negligence with a "51-percent bar rule," which means that a plaintiff can only recover damages if their degree of fault is less than or equal to 50 percent. If the plaintiff's degree of fault is greater than 50 percent, they are barred from recovering any damages.

Overall, the modified comparative negligence rule in South Carolina is designed to ensure that damages are fairly apportioned between the plaintiff and the defendant based on their respective degrees of fault.

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston, SC?

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, consider hiring a Charleston personal injury attorney immediately. In personal injury cases, it is vital to have an injury lawyer in Charleston on your side. If you have sustained an injury due to the negligence of another person or business, have suffered emotional trauma after an accident, or are facing complex medical bills, it may be in your best interest to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your case and protect your rights throughout the process.

Injury Attorneys in Charleston with Over 200 Years of Combined Experience

Personal injury matters are complex. Getting ready for a lawsuit is hard work, and it is better accomplished with experienced help. Witnesses and statements must be collected to bolster your case. Also, documentation of the accident must be provided with a description and/or photographic evidence of the site's conditions and environment.

If you have suffered damages or injuries in an accident in South Carolina, document as much as possible and record anything you think might be important. After retaining an experienced personal injury accident lawyer, turn this evidence over and allow them to build a compelling strategy for your claim.

With more than two centuries of combined experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and resources it takes to prove your case and get you the money you deserve.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Charleston Today for a Free Case Evaluation

Don't wait to get in touch with our firm. Contact our Charleston personal injury attorneys today at (843) 790-0083 for a free initial consultation if you would like to discuss the merit of your case with an experienced accident attorney.

*We do not collect a fee in personal injury cases unless we recover compensation for the claim. The attorney fee will be a percentage of the total recovery, and it will be computed before any expenses are deducted from the recovery. Unless otherwise noted in the fee agreement, the client will not be responsible for costs if no recovery is made.