Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer

The Peace Law Firm has been handling personal injury cases in Greenville and surrounding areas for over two decades, and we understand the value of zealous and committed legal representation. Our team is determined to secure fair compensation for every client we serve. If you or someone you love has been injured because of someone else’s actions, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Greenville, SC with your best interest in mind. 

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury is a legal term that pertains to injuries sustained because of someone else’s negligent behavior. This could be an individual person or party such as a business, government entity, organization, or other group. Injuries do not have to be just physical to be compensable. They can also be mental or emotional. It is important to seek counsel from a personal injury attorney in Greenville, SC, who has a detailed understanding of this area of law. Common examples of personal injury claims include:

• Car collisions,
• Slip and fall accidents, 
• Pedestrian or bicycle wrecks, 
• Motorcycle accidents, 
• Dog bites, 
• Traumatic brain injuries, 
• Truck accidents, 
• Medical malpractice, 
• Product defects, and 
• Wrongful death

If you or a loved one has experienced a personal injury that does not fit into one of the case types listed, be assured that there are countless situations that constitute a personal injury case. Your Greenville personal injury attorney can help you determine if your claim falls under this type of law.

Do I Have a Valid Claim For Personal Injury In Greenville?

All personal injury cases are centered around the legal principle of negligence. If the injury you sustained was caused by the negligent action or inaction of another person or party, it is highly probable that you have a personal injury claim. There are four legal elements that define negligence, and each of them must exist in your situation to have a valid claim. 

• Duty of care – You must have been owed a reasonable duty of care by the at-fault party. In the example of a car accident, all drivers owe other drivers (and pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) the duty to drive attentively and obey all traffic laws. 
• Breach of duty – You must be able to prove that the duty was breached. In the car accident example, if the at-fault party hit your vehicle when they flew through a red light, drove under the influence, sped, or committed any number of traffic violations, it is likely that they breached their duty. 
• Cause of injury – The breach of duty must have caused the injury, meaning that if the breach had not occurred, neither would the accident. 
• Actual damages – The injury must have resulted in actual compensable damages. It is possible that someone could have caused an injury, but if it was minor and required no treatment, there is nothing to be compensated for. 

Your Greenville personal injury attorney can help you walk through these elements and ensure they exist in your case before taking any legal action. 

Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Most personal injury cases settle out of court, so litigation can often be avoided. Personal injury cases usually start as insurance claims, although every situation is unique. It is important to know that you do not have to accept an unfair settlement offer from an insurance company. If you do accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for additional funds later. In some cases, the policy may not cover the expenses associated with your injury, or the insurance provider may deny the claim. 

A skilled Greenville personal injury lawyer will be able to negotiate on your behalf and advise whether you should pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If a lawsuit turns out to be the best legal strategy for your situation, our team will file all the necessary paperwork and prepare to present your case in court.  

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury extends three years from the day the injury occurred or was made known. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, you will be barred from legal recovery. 

Claims brought against a government agency or employee at the state, county, or municipal level must be filed within two years. The sooner you can file a claim, the better your chances at preserving valuable evidence, like paperwork or witness testimony, as things may get lost and memories fade with time. 

How Much Compensation Will I Receive for My Personal Injury Case?

Each case is unique, so there is no way to determine the value of your claim without careful analysis of the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Understanding the value of your claim is a crucial component of getting the compensation you are entitled to. A thorough personal injury attorney in Greenville, SC, will conduct an independent investigation into your case to understand its full value. In most cases, you will be eligible to receive both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damage

The actual costs incurred because of the accident are considered economic damages. It is important to keep a record of all expenses, paid and unpaid. These may include medical expenses like doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and medications. Lost wages because of your injury are also compensable. If your injuries are long-term or permanent, it is important to take future expenses into consideration. 

Non-economic damages

Your physical, mental, and emotional damage is also relevant. Though harder to assign a dollar amount to, your Greenville personal injury attorney can help you walk through how the injury has impacted your life, and though no amount of money can take back what you have been through, it is compensable. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. 

Contact a Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer

The team at the Peace Law Firm is ready to help you pursue justice and meaningful compensation. We obtained multiple million-dollar case results for injured victims and their families. And though case values differ, we are committed to helping you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation.