When you are injured in an accident, the damage done often extends far beyond the accident scene. Repercussions from a serious injury can last a lifetime. In order to minimize the damage, it is critical to recover fair compensation. The best way to maximize your chances of receiving the money you need is by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.
The Thumbs Up Guys have helped countless clients get their lives back on track after an accident. Contact us today so we can get started working for you. One of our Knightsville personal injury lawyers will review your case and advise you of your legal options.
What Does a Personal Injury Attorney in Knightsville Do?
After an accident, you likely have a lot on your plate. A Knightsville personal injury lawyer can help shoulder the burden. Your Knightsville personal injury attorney can help ensure that your financial situation is sound, while you focus on healing from your injuries.
At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to potential clients. We will advise you of your options and answer any questions you may have. If you choose to retain our services, one of the first actions we will take is to launch an independent investigation into your accident.
Likely steps in this inquiry will include:
- Visiting the scene of the accident
- Speaking with potential witnesses
- Consulting with an experienced Attorney
- Reviewing any official accident reports
- Looking over your medical history as it relates to your injury
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
After completing our investigation, your personal injury lawyer will calculate the total value of your claim. Depending upon how you choose to proceed, your attorney will either file your claim with an insurance company or file a lawsuit with the court. If you are pursuing a lawsuit, your attorney will then begin the pre-trial process.
Throughout each step, your attorney will negotiate with legal counsel for the opposition. Your attorney will bring you any offers made by opposing counsel and advise you as to whether or not the deal is fair.
If you cannot reach an agreement on a settlement, your attorney will fight your case in court.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Knightsville Charge?
The cost of hiring a personal injury attorney is usually less than zero dollars. That’s not to say that your attorney will be paying you directly to work for you. Rather, those who hire personal injury attorneys generally end up in a significantly better financial position, than those who attempt to represent themselves.
There are multiple reasons for this. For starters, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they only get paid if you receive compensation. There is no risk in hiring these lawyers because you will never pay a penny out of pocket. Instead, they get paid as a percentage of your final compensation package.
Additionally, since lawyers working on a contingency fee basis make more money the more they earn for their clients, they tend to do everything in their power to ensure the highest possible settlement.
Experienced lawyers are also in a much better position to negotiate. That is because they have a better understanding of the true cost of your claim and the tactics that the opposition will use to try to minimize your compensation.
Our Practice Areas
We can help you recover compensation in a variety of situations. Our practice areas include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workers’ compensation
- Dog bites
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip & fall
- Wrongful death
- Traumatic brain injury
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective drug
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
All of these practice areas fall under the umbrella of personal injury.
Damages You Can Claim After an Accident Resulting in Personal Injury in Knightsville
After an accident, you will likely be eligible to claim a wide variety of damages. The specific damages you can claim will depend on the particulars of your case. Common compensation claims include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain & Suffering
- Mental anguish
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
All of these things can be divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the losses you suffer that have a direct financial impact, like lost wages and medical bills. Compensation for these losses is meant to directly replace the money you have lost or that you will lose in the future.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are far more complex. Things like pain & suffering and permanent disability may not have a financial impact but instead, diminish your quality of life. Since there is no way to properly make up for these irreplaceable losses, the money awarded tends to be quite significant. Non-economic damages usually make up the bulk of a compensation package.
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible to recover punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are different from those listed above in that they are not compensation for a loss suffered by the victim. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party if their behavior was criminally negligent and carried out with wanton disregard for public safety.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the injury. However, it is always best to get started as soon as possible. Under certain circumstances, the window to file can be reduced significantly.
Even when the filing period is not affected, delays can still hurt your case. Witness testimony becomes less reliable over time, and delays in gathering evidence can cause you to lose your chance to do so.
By talking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident, you can feel confident that you won’t miss any deadlines and that everything will be handled efficiently.
Finding the Right Knightsville Personal Injury Lawyer for You
It’s important to not only find an experienced personal injury lawyer but also one with whom you feel comfortable. At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we have a proven track record of helping our clients recover fair compensation and get their lives back after an accident.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation. We will walk you through all of your options, answer any questions, and advise you on the best course of action. There is no obligation to retain our services after your consultation, so feel free to contact us risk-free.