Hurt in a serious accident and now your bills are piling up? Seek out a Columbia personal injury lawyer to learn how you could make a full recovery.

A serious injury will take a lasting toll on your life and cause permanent health issues, financial hardship, and emotional trauma for you and your loved ones. You may have been wronged by someone’s carelessness. But how do you seek compensation for that? 

If you were hurt by another person’s careless actions, the lawyers at Louthian Law Firm, P.A. can help you get your life back on track. We will represent your claim, no matter how serious, working tirelessly to win you the compensation you deserve. 

Types of Columbia Personal Injury Claims

When you’re considering legal action, you need to know your claim type. Every claim is different, and one claim may be impacted by state laws when another may not. For example, you may be dealing with insurers if you were the passenger in a car accident, but that may change if you were hurt because of a doctor’s mistake. 

Because your claim type will impact how we approach your claim, it’s important to understand the difference before proceeding. Below are just a few of the claim types we can help you pursue: 

• Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles 
• Medical malpractice 
• Wrongful death 
• Slip-and-fall accidents 
• Defective products 

Who’s Liable for My Injuries? 

When you’re seriously injured, you need to know more than your claim type. You also need to know who caused your injuries, and who’s financially responsible for those losses. But that can get a little confusing—you may be unsure who caused your injuries, and they’re not always the person who will pay for your injuries. 

For example, you may have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident. You fell in a store because a store employee didn’t clean up or warn you about the slippery floor. The employee may have been responsible for your fall. But that doesn’t mean they’re financially liable for it. 

Often, liability falls on the property owner, who is responsible for keeping the premises safe. But they may not have been present when the accident happened. Because of this, you may need to speak with your Columbia personal injury lawyer about determining who’s at fault and, more importantly, who’s financially liable. 

Dealing with Insurance Companies After an Injury 

In some situations, you may deal not with the at-fault party directly, but with their insurance company. This is especially true when dealing with car accidents, though other cases may involve insurance policies. 

Insurance should make your financial recovery easier. The company should pay for the losses you’ve suffered and help you make a full recovery. But often, these companies are more focused on their own profits. That means they may use bad-faith tactics to avoid paying for your injuries. 

Worried about facing the insurance company yourself? Your Columbia personal injury lawyer will help you seek a fair settlement, or they can help you file a lawsuit for bad-faith tactics if the insurer refuses to act in good faith. 

Compensation for a Personal Injury Claim

After your injury, you need funds to help you recover from your injuries. But determining what your claim is worth is no simple addition. You may be unsure what your losses caused by the accident, or damages, are worth. Without the right tools, it’s easy to make a mistake, which is where an experienced attorney is key. They have the tools and experience to calculate for all losses, including the intangible. 

Below are some damages you may be eligible to seek because of your injuries:

• Economic Damages – When you’re injured by someone’s negligence, it can be costly. You may have medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and other financial losses that need coverage. 

• Non-Economic Damages  – Not all your losses are financial. You may have suffered mental and emotional loss, like pain and suffering. Your Columbia personal injury lawyer will help you calculate these intangible losses and get compensated. 

• Punitive Damages – Rather than compensating you, punitive damages are supposed to punish the at-fault party for wanton negligence or intentional harm. These damages are meant to deter Columbia residents from repeating such actions in the future. 

Columbia Personal Injury FAQ 

When you’re hurt, it’s hard to get the answers you need for your claim. Luckily, your Columbia personal injury lawyer is here to answer your most important questions. Look at some of our most commonly asked questions below for a sample of what we will do to help you. 

Need more? We also offer free consultations to discuss the personal details of your personal injury claim. 

I think I’m partly at fault for my accident. What are my options? 

Many accidents aren’t the fault of one person alone. It may be the fault of both parties to some degree. But taking the blame for your injuries can hurt your claim. South Carolina residents may lose part or all their compensation if they’re found partially at fault for the accident. Because of this, your lawyer may focus on proving you weren’t at fault for your injuries, rather than taking the blame. 

What if my child was injured in an accident? 

If your child is a minor, it can be difficult for them to get compensated without help. They may not be old enough to take legal action alone. But that doesn’t mean they’re not due compensation. As a parent, you have two options. You can wait for your child to turn eighteen when they may pursue compensation as a legal adult. Or you can take action now with a lawyer’s help and file a claim on their behalf. 

I didn’t know I was injured right away. Has my time run out? 

In some cases, you may not have discovered the injury for some time after the fact. For example, you may have felt sick for a few years, but only recently discovered that your doctor made a health-impacting mistake. In some cases, the time limits for your claim may not start until the injury is discovered, not when it happened. 

How do I choose the right personal injury lawyer for my claim? 

When you’re hurt in a Columbia accident, you may be at a loss on where to start with your claim. You’re hurt, you’re inexperienced, and you don’t know what to do. Luckily, you can discuss your situation with our lawyers during a free consultation. 

What if I can’t afford an attorney? 

Personal injury lawyers don’t work by the hour, like many criminal defense lawyers or divorce attorneys. When you agree to work with us, we work on a contingency fee, which is set before we begin. Your contingency fee is a set percentage of your claim if we win, which is regulated by state law. But it’s contingent on your claim’s success—if you don’t win, you don’t pay a dime. 

Get Help from a Columbia Personal Injury Attorney Today 

When you’re hurt by someone else’s carelessness, you don’t have to deal with the fallout and losses alone. You may need help getting your life and your family back on track, especially when the at-fault party isn’t willing to pay. 

At Louthian Law Firm, P.A., we understand how important your claim is to your future. That’s why we’re ready to fight tooth and nail to win you the compensation you need. Start with a free consultation to discuss your claim and how we can help when you call 803-454-1200 or fill out the online contact form below.