Columbia SC Personal Injury Lawyer
Attorney Bert Louthian
Bert Louthian has been practicing law in Columbia with his father, Herb, since 1985. Louthian Law, P.A. remains Family-Owned and Family-Focused. Attorney Bio
Attorney Herb Louthian
Seeking truth. Securing justice. Herb Louthian has used these words as a guiding force throughout his five decades of law practice in Columbia, SC. Attorney Bio
Personal Injury Attorneys in Columbia, SC
TOP 10 REASONS TO WORK WITH OUR ATTORNEYS
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1
80 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – ON YOUR SIDE.
Our attorneys have more than eight decades of experience helping regular people in Columbia, SC. Our experience can work to your advantage.
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2
WHEN LIFE GOES WRONG, OUR LAWYERS FIGHT FOR WHAT’S RIGHT.
If you are seeking the assistance of a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, it is almost certainly because you are facing the aftermath of a traumatic life event. Let our experienced legal professionals handle your case while you focus on what is most important – your health, your family and your life.
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HANDS-ON HELP. EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS.
You need an attorney who will work with you one-on-one to help you get results. Our Columbia, SC lawyers are very proud of our track record. You can find out more on our Representative Cases page.
WHY WORK WITH A COLUMBIA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?
HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IN COLUMBIA WILL GREATLY IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS.
Attorneys do the legwork of a client’s case. This means handling routine paperwork, corresponding with others and building a case on behalf of a client. But a skilled, experienced attorney goes further than simply handling the day-to-day processes of filing a claim.
At the Louthian Law Firm, our experienced injury attorneys investigate every aspect of your case, interview witnesses, consult experts, research relevant rulings and prepare presentations for the pre-trial and trial phase of your case.
We also deal with the insurance companies, so you can focus on your recovery. We always tell our clients that if they are contacted by an insurance company that is not their own, they should direct them to us. It is a key aspect of what we do – we are the front line for our clients in many different capacities.
It’s important to understand that if you’ve suffered serious injuries and have a viable claim, you will be best served by hiring an experienced, skilled attorney. Our legal system is complicated, and it’s likely that the people that will be opposing your claim will have years of experience combatting claims just like yours. Attorneys make sure your voice is heard, your case is made clearly and effectively, and your compensation is as substantial as possible.
Determining Whether
You Have a Claim
One of the first questions potential clients ask us is whether they have a viable claim. We offer free consultations so that we can hear the details of the case and give you a more informed opinion. However, we can tell you that you should ask yourself these two questions as a starting point...
1. Did you suffer a serious injury that has proven costly and burdensome?
2. Was the injury caused by a someone else’s carelessness?
If you answer yes to both of these questions, then you have good reason to explore your options.
REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW NOWHANDS-ON HELP. EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS.
THERE’S A TIME LIMIT ON PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS IN COLUMBIA SC
The "statute of limitations" is the period after an injury in which someone can file a claim. In Columbia, SC, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the time of the injury. It’s always in a person’s best interest to act quickly when considering taking legal action.
THE VALUE OF A CLAIM
"How much can I get in a personal injury claim?" is one of the first questions attorneys hear from potential clients. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple. Claims can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances of the case. The amount of money you’ve lost due to your injury (medical bills, lost income, property damage, etc.) plays a big role in how much you’ll seek in a claim.
You can also factor in "non-economic" damages such as pain and suffering. It’s difficult to put a price tag on these damages, which is why it’s helpful to speak to an experienced Columbia SC personal injury attorney who can give you a better idea of how to determine the value of your overall damages.
LOOK FOR THESE QUALITIES IN YOUR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
Searching for a personal injury attorney can be overwhelming. You might be wondering where to start. You should first make sure that an attorney is licensed to practice in Columbia, SC. You should then find out whether the attorney handles your type of case. However, that’s just the bare minimum, and you’ll be best served by applying more scrutiny in your search.
Finding the right Columbia personal injury lawyer for your case means looking for a lawyer who has experience with cases similar to yours and, preferably, has had great success in these cases. Many attorneys list verdicts and settlements they have achieved for clients on their website, and some offer client testimonials, too. Ultimately, you should schedule a consultation with an attorney to see if you feel comfortable with them handling your case.
What You Should
Do After Being Injured
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Seek medical attention immediately. Prioritize your health and see a doctor immediately. You’ll want to know just how badly you are hurt. You’ll also need to reduce the likelihood of your condition's worsening, which is much more likely if you go without medical care.
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Notify someone about your injury. If you were injured in a car accident, notify the police immediately so they can send an officer to the scene. If you are hurt on the job, tell your supervisor as soon as possible. Notifying someone in an official capacity establishes a timeline for your injury, which will be beneficial if you eventually need to file a personal injury claim.
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Keep all documents and bills you encounter in the days, weeks and months that follow. You’ll want to keep copies of any bills you receive following your injury. This will help you and your attorney determine the damages you’ll be seeking in a claim. Establishing a record of the costs you face can help your attorney make a stronger case on your behalf.
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Contact an attorney to consider your legal options. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in Columbia SC, we encourage you to contact the Columbia personal injury attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm to schedule a free consultation. We have the experience, resources and dedication needed to get you the compensation you deserve.
LEGAL FAQs
COMMON PERSONAL INJURY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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IF I WAS PARTIALLY AT FAULT, DO I STILL HAVE A CLAIM?
South Carolina is considered a “fault” state, meaning that the at-fault party is responsible for the costs of their negligence. However, because cases are not always black-and-white, responsibility for a crash might be allocated to the drivers based on several different factors. The allocation of responsibility is called modified comparative negligence, and it is a key element of personal injury lawsuits in Columbia, SC.
If you’re unsure of how much fault you carry for a crash, but know that another driver was at least partially responsible, you might consider talking to a Columbia personal injury lawyer.
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HOW LONG DOES AN ACCIDENT LAWSUIT TAKE?
A personal injury lawsuit can last anywhere from several weeks to several months or longer, depending on the circumstances of the case. Factors that determine the length of a claim include the complexity of a case and the number of parties involved. If you want to get a better idea of your case’s time frame, speak to a personal injury lawyer in Columbia so they can learn more about your situation and give you an estimate.
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IF I WASN’T INJURED IN THE WRECK, DO I STILL HAVE A CASE?
If you weren’t injured in a car wreck and suffered costs as a result, you should still be compensated for those costs if the crash was someone else’s fault. The damages in these cases won’t be as significant as they would if injuries were involved, but that doesn’t mean you have no right to pursue your legal options.
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WHEN YOU WIN MY ACCIDENT LAWSUIT, HOW MUCH DO I PAY YOU?
Our Columbia lawyers work on a contingency fee, which means we only charge clients if we are successful in their claims. If we win compensation, we will deduct a reasonable attorney’s fee from the award. To learn more about our contingency fee, we encourage you to reach out to our Columbia law firm.
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WHAT WILL IT COST?
It won’t cost you anything to discuss your injury lawsuit with us. In fact, you will never owe us a dime in attorney’s fees until you recover compensation on your claim. If we handle your case, our fee will be a set percentage of any money we obtain for you.
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WHO TO NAME IN A LAWSUIT – AN INTRODUCTION TO "FAULT"
Most lawsuits are filed against the person who was responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. This means they are “at fault” for those injuries and should pay the costs stemming from them. When attorneys investigate a case, they look at all the contributing factors and decide whether someone’s negligence – or carelessness – was the cause of the incident. Once an attorney knows who is responsible for their client’s injuries, they can advise their client who should be named in the claim.
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WORRIED ABOUT THE COSTS OF AN LAWYER?
Many people are concerned about hiring a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC because they believe it will be costly. At the Louthian Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we charge you nothing unless we win your case. If your case is unsuccessful, we carry the costs. We do this because we don’t want clients burdened financially if they don’t earn compensation, but we also work on a contingency fee because we believe in our team’s ability to deliver results.
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UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENTS AND TRIALS
When the person filing a lawsuit (the plaintiff) and the person being named in a lawsuit (the defendant) come to an agreement about how much the plaintiff will be paid, the two parties have reached a settlement. If a settlement isn’t reached, then the matter goes to trial where both sides’ cases are made before a judge and a jury.
While our Columbia, SC personal injury lawyers often resolve cases via settlement, we prepare every case to go to trial because we believe it leads to the best outcome for our clients. Ultimately, the decision to settle or go to trial is yours, and we will help you make the most informed decision possible.
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WHAT LEADS TO A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUIT?
From the perspective of an injury attorney, there is no substitute for hard work when it comes to getting the best possible results for clients. Personal injury lawyers must invest a significant amount of time and effort to achieve results that reflect the hardships their client has faced. This requires conducting thorough investigations, researching other personal injury cases and verdicts, interviewing witnesses, consulting experts, preparing for depositions, working with their own client and making sure that all paperwork is filed on time and without error.
LEARN ABOUT THE COLUMBIA SC PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS AT THE LOUTHIAN LAW FIRM
Since 1959, our primary goal is taking care of the needs of our personal injury and accident clients in Columbia, SC and statewide. Our attorneys handle each case on an individual basis and deal directly with our clients. When you retain our law firm you will always speak directly with Bert & Herb Louthian.
Don’t get lost in the shuffle with larger law firms. We are a Columbia, SC family-owned, family-focused law firm. Our attorneys assist clients across SC, including Columbia, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Charleston, Florence, Richland County, Orangeburg, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the coastal communities Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. Call to speak with one of our experienced injury lawyers today – for free: (888)311-6184.
Seeking Truth. Securing Justice.
In conference rooms and courtrooms, our personal injury lawyers do battle because we believe in the rights and power of hardworking people. We believe you deserve more than a chance – you deserve a voice. You deserve the truth. You deserve justice.
REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW NOWFROM OUR LEGAL BLOG
Kick Off Boating Season with Safety Checklist
May 14th, 2019
Spring is here, the weather is warming up, and South Carolinians in Columbia and throughout the state are ready to get out on the water. In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, which is May 18-24, and to help reduce accidents, it’s a good idea…
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USC Student Rideshare Tragedy Prompts Calls for Safety
May 1st, 2019The tragic death of University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson in late March has prompted calls from her family, state lawmakers and students to improve rideshare app safety. Josephson, who was 21 years old, got into a vehicle that she mistakenly believed was the…
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Railroad Safety is Becoming a Hot Topic – Here’s Why
April 16th, 2019A recent report on CBS’s 60 Minutes shined a big spotlight on railroad safety. The report highlights several crashes over the past few years that some experts say could have been prevented if positive train control had been in place. What Is Positive Train Control?…
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Highway 61 Hosts Far Too Many Deadly Car Accidents
April 9th, 2019Highway 61 may be scenic, but its beauty is sadly compromised by its danger. According to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, over the past 10 years, 52 people have lost their lives in car accidents on the approximately 65-mile-long road, which…
