Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer

At HawkLaw, our team of dedicated professionals will take the time to understand your unique situation while providing personalized and compassionate legal representation. Our goal is to ensure your rights are upheld and to work towards the most favorable outcome for your case. Contact us to explore your legal options and learn how we can make a difference in your personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me

Finding a personal injury lawyer in Greenville who is both skilled and conveniently located can ease the stress of navigating your case. Our office, situated at 3 Caledon Ct # A, Greenville, SC 29615, offers both convenience and accessibility. We have plenty of parking, and you can take the 509 bus to reach us, too. We’re just a stone’s throw away from some of Greenville’s most beloved landmarks, including the Greenville Zoo, Falls Park on the Reedy, and the Greenville County Museum of Art.

If you’re headed southeast on Pelham Road, turn left onto Caledon Court. Once you’ve made the turn, keep an eye out for our office on your right-hand side.

Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?

In the aftermath of a severe accident or injury, one of the most critical steps you can take is to contact a personal injury attorney. Working with a personal injury lawyer offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact the outcome of your case, including:

• Legal Guidance: A personal injury lawyer has a wealth of knowledge and experience in navigating complex legal procedures and documents related to your case.
• Maximized Compensation: Attorneys are skilled negotiators who will help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries, loss of income, and other related expenses.
• Efficient Case Management: Hiring a personal injury lawyer relieves you of the stress of dealing with various parties involved in your cases, such as courts, insurance companies, and medical practitioners.
• No-Win, No-Fee Services: Most personal injury attorneys use a contingency fee*, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This ensures your lawyer is motivated to secure the best outcome for you.

HawkLaw has a long history of providing personal injury legal services to our clients in Greenville County. Our knowledgeable attorneys have a combined experience of more than 100 years practicing law. The attorney-client relationship is important to us, and in every case, we fight to win! You can rest assured when you work with HawkLaw, our legal team will advocate for you and stand by your side every step of the way.

Client Testimonials

At HawkLaw, we take pride in providing high levels of customer service to every claimant in every case. The testimonials we receive demonstrate our consistent and unwavering commitment to our clients and to getting them the results they deserve.

Results

To date, our law firm has recovered over $200 million* for our clients. Here are some examples of our results:

• $3,000,000* for a trucking accident case
• $200,000* for a drunk driving case
• $575,000* in a reckless driving case
• $155,000* in a workers’ compensation case

Every case is different, and we’ll carefully calculate your economic and non-economic damages to come up with a fair claim to pursue.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a legal action taken by someone who has suffered harm due to another’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. This type of claim seeks compensation for the injuries and losses sustained. For example, if you’re injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s reckless behavior, or if you slip and fall due to unmarked hazards in a store, these situations could lead to a personal injury claim.

Central to these claims is the concept of “duty of care.” This legal term refers to the responsibility one has to avoid causing harm to others. When someone breaches this duty—whether it’s a driver on the road, a property owner, or a manufacturer of a defective product—they can be held liable for the damages caused.

The goal of a personal injury claim is not just to secure financial recovery for the victim, but to acknowledge the wrongdoing and, in some cases, prevent future negligence. It’s about holding parties accountable for their actions and ensuring that victims are compensated for their physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses resulting from the incident.

Types of Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims encompass a wide array of incidents, each with unique challenges and legal considerations. Understanding the types of claims can help you recognize when you might have a viable case. Common personal injury claims include:

• Truck Accidents: If you’ve been in a truck accident, you may have suffered severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicle. These claims can be complicated because they often involve both federal and state laws governing the trucking industry.
• Other Motor Vehicle Accidents: If you’ve suffered from a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident, you may have a case for compensation. These accidents often happen because of negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield.
• Work-Related Injuries: Some work injuries aren’t covered by workers’ compensation, leaving you in a tough spot. You may need to sue your employer for the damages you have suffered, which may be intimidating without help.
• Dog Attacks: Pets aren’t always man’s best friend. If you were attacked by an unprovoked dog, you will need to fight back and sue the owner for your suffering. They are liable for their dog’s actions, so do not hesitate to fight for your compensation.
• Dangerous and Defective Products: In some cases, an injury may come from a product defect. Whether your toaster caught fire or your airbag didn’t deploy properly, you’re now injured and suffering. Fortunately, you’ll have a chance to fight back when a product injures you under product liability law.

South Carolina Personal Injury Laws | Applicability in Greenville Injury Cases

You may have acted in time to secure your claim, but that does not guarantee the full compensation you deserve. Instead, you’ll need to act in time and protect yourself from accusations of fault.

South Carolina recognizes comparative negligence, which means that you might be held partly responsible for the accident. If you’re found partly at fault, your compensation will be reduced by that amount. If you’re more than 50 percent at fault, your claim will be dismissed.

For example, let’s say you were on government property when you slipped and fell, but you were on the phone during the accident. You might be found responsible for 10 percent of the accident, which means you will receive 90 percent of your compensation. While you will still be able to recover some damages in this case, we’ll focus on maximizing the compensation available for your recovery.

Unfortunately, getting compensation for your injuries is not as simple as proving that you were injured. Instead, personal injury claims in Greenville must also focus on the South Carolina laws that could get your claim dismissed. If you don’t follow these, you may not receive the full compensation you deserve, so be ready to take action to protect your claim.

South Carolina Statute of Limitations

Under South Carolina code §15-3-20, most personal injury claims have a time limit of three years, which means you’ll need to move quickly to file your claim after the accident. If you fail to do so, your claim will be dismissed, and you will be ineligible for compensation.

That means that if you don’t act quickly enough, you could be left holding the bill for the injuries someone else caused. Be sure that you’re paying attention to the time that’s passed, but also be sure you’re paying attention to all laws affecting your claim.

Given these constraints, hiring a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident is crucial. An attorney can begin gathering evidence, consulting with experts, and building a strong case on your behalf right away. Their guidance not only ensures that your claim is filed within the statutory deadline but also positions you more favorably for securing the compensation you deserve.

How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Greenville, SC

Filing a personal injury claim involves several critical steps, starting with a consultation and in some cases ending with a trial or an appeal. This process isn’t just a legal journey but also a partnership between you and your attorney. Maintaining open communication with your attorney on matters such as your health or a message you received from another party can greatly influence the trajectory of your claim. Here’s what to expect during the personal injury claims process:

1. Initial consultation: Your first step should be to schedule a consultation with a Greenville personal injury lawyer. This meeting allows your attorney to assess the merits of your case and provide you with an understanding of the legal path forward.
2. Investigation: If the attorney determines you have a good case, they’ll proceed to gather all necessary evidence related to it. This may include police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other documentation that can support your claim.
3. Settlement demand letter: Before officially filing a lawsuit, your lawyer might opt to send a settlement demand letter to the opposing party, outlining the damages you are seeking. This often opens the door to settlement negotiations.
4. Lawsuit filing: If a settlement is not reached, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. This step formally starts the legal process in the court system.
5. Pre-trial: After filing, there are numerous pre-trial steps, including discovery, where both sides exchange information to resolve or narrow down issues before trial.
6. Trial: Most personal injury cases settle before trial, but if yours proceeds to court, your attorney will present it to seek a favorable verdict. Throughout this process, negotiations can continue in hopes of reaching a settlement before the trial ends.
7. Appeal (if unsuccessful): You and your attorney can consider filing an appeal, which may lead to a higher court reviewing the decision. It depends on the exact circumstances of your case.

Each of these steps requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the legal process, emphasizing the importance of having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side. At HawkLaw, our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in these intricate procedures and dedicated to guiding you every step of the way. We fight for the compensation you deserve, while you focus on your recovery.

How Many Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial?

Statistically, only a small percentage of personal injury cases go to trial. This is largely because mutually agreeable settlements are often negotiated successfully outside of court. However, it’s still important to prepare for the possibility of a trial. A trial involves presenting evidence, witness testimony, and legal arguments before a judge or jury. The process is complex and can be lengthy, highlighting the importance of having an attorney who understands how to navigate trial proceedings effectively. Preparation ensures that you and your attorney are ready to present the strongest case possible.

How Are Damages Calculated in Personal Injury Cases?

Once your Greenville, South Carolina lawyer has discussed what laws you’ll need to remember for your unique claim, you’ll need to know what that claim is worth. There are different types of compensation to pursue in a personal injury claim.

Economic Damages

First, you can seek to pursue economic damages. These damages cover the financial losses you have suffered, which can be calculated by adding up the expenses you’ve accumulated. Your lawyer will also find the future costs if, for example, you need to return to the hospital for treatment or other care. These damages include any of the following:

• Current and future medical costs
• Current and future lost wages
• Property damages, including loss of use of property
• Loss of services
• Diminished value of property

Non-Economic Damages

Your non-economic damages, however, aren’t so simple. These damages cover the emotional and mental losses you’ve suffered because of the accident, which can also impact your life. Unfortunately, they’re also intangible, which means you cannot effectively calculate these on your own. Instead, speak to your Greenville personal injury lawyer about the worth of the following damages, among others:

• Emotional or mental trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement or loss of body member

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are a special type of compensation used in personal injury cases. This is money paid to an injury victim in addition to the compensation. The goal of punitive damages is to punish the defendant if serious wrongdoing is part of the case.

In South Carolina, injury victims must have clear and convincing evidence that “willful, wanton, or reckless conduct” of the at-fault party occurred. Also, the legal team can ask for punitive damages, but they cannot state how much they believe they should be. The amount will be based on the Noneconomic Damage Awards Statute, which lists many factors that the court will consider. During your free case evaluation,* your lawyer may offer thoughts on how much this might be, but only the jury can put a dollar amount on it.

Calculating Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death has some of the same types of damages as any other personal injury case, such as pain and suffering, but it has some unique categories as well. These include:

Cost of Medical Care

Before someone involved in an accident dies, medical teams often provide care to try to keep death from occurring. This care leaves behind costs for the victim’s family, and those costs should be part of the payment when seeking maximum compensation for the accident.

Funeral and Burial Costs

An unexpected funeral and burial can lead to thousands of dollars of costs that a family was not prepared to cover. Seeking legal services during this time can protect you from these unwanted costs during an already stressful time.

Loss of Companionship and Protection

When someone dies, the loss of companionship is felt deeply. Many verdicts in wrongful death cases cover payment for this emotional suffering, even though you may not be able to put a price tag on the loss of companionship. If the person had a protecting role in their family, such as in the loss of a parent, that also is part of the compensation.

Pain and Suffering

General pain and suffering of the surviving family members is another category in a wrongful death case. Again, putting a dollar value on this is not easy, which is why you will want to work with a qualified South Carolina law office that focuses on this practice area.

Common Accident Injuries

After your accident, you might not be thinking about a lawsuit. Instead, you are focused on your pain and the cost of your time at the hospital. Sadly, this situation can leave you struggling to overcome your accident.

A serious accident comes with serious injuries, and you’ll need to keep track of the injuries you’ve suffered. By doing so, you will have a better idea of their impact. You need to know how much they cost, how much of an impact they have had on your life, and how much pain you have suffered.

Your injuries will matter, so if you have not been keeping up with all of your medical details, it’s important to begin now. Personal injury cases involve various types of injuries. Your lawyer can help you use that information when you have suffered a severe injury, such as the following:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): TBIs can be caused by a forceful blow or jolt to the head. The severity of a TBI can range from a concussion to lifelong problems with thinking, speech, movement, and emotions.
• Back injury: Back injuries can be caused by slips, falls, and vehicle accidents. They range from strained muscles to herniated discs, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues that may hinder an individual’s ability to work or perform daily tasks.
• Whiplash: This neck injury is frequently associated with rear-end vehicle collisions and includes symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. It can disrupt daily life and might require prolonged treatment.
• Broken bones: Fractures can occur in any accident, from falls to sports injuries. The recovery process may involve surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work, with some fractures leading to long-term complications or disability.
• Burn injuries: Burns can be caused by fire, chemicals, electricity, or hot surfaces and liquids. Severe cases may result in scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma, significantly impacting a victim’s quality of life.
• Spine and neck injury: Injuries to the spine and neck can have devastating effects, including chronic pain and, in severe cases, paralysis. Such injuries require extensive medical treatment and can drastically alter one’s lifestyle.
• Spinal cord injury: Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt communication between the brain and parts of the body, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. The impact of a spinal cord injury is life-changing, requiring adaptive technologies and ongoing care.
• Paralysis: Paralysis, whether partial or complete, is a possible outcome of severe injuries, especially those affecting the spinal cord or brain. It represents a significant life alteration, often necessitating comprehensive medical, personal, and legal support to manage.

Hurt in Greenville? HawkLaw Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You Secure Fair Compensation

Dealing with a personal injury claim is difficult, and if you’re not careful, your claim could be dismissed. You are already dealing with enough after a vehicle accident or other injury-causing accident, and worrying about the legal side of things is stress you do not need. If you’re struggling to recover, you need a lawyer from HawkLaw, P.A. to help you fight back and get the full compensation you deserve.

If you need help and are unsure where to start, reach out to our Greenville personal injury attorneys. Our free consults* can help you understand what your claim needs and why our lawyers can help. We can help you get your bearings and start as soon as possible. We often work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury claims, which means you don’t pay unless we win.*

We proudly serve much of Upstate South Carolina, including Anderson, Columbia, Laurens, and Pickens from our Greenville law office.

Ready to get going on your claim? Reach out to a Greenville personal injury lawyer. Take advantage of our free consultations* by calling our firm at 888.HAWK.LAW or by filling out our online contact form below.

Disclaimer: None of the information presented on this page is a substitute for legal representation from a qualified law firm. It should not be taken as legal advice.