Personal Injury Attorneys in Camden, SC
In the United States, over 50% of people live paycheck to paycheck—and that’s before you account for any unexpected expenses. A car accident, dog bite, or slip and fall is enough to leave many people struggling to pay their bills. If you’re injured because of someone else’s negligence or malice, you shouldn’t be left shouldering the financial burden. That’s where we come in.
A personal injury claim can help you recover lost wages, medical expenses, and other related costs after an accident in Camden. Ready to learn more about your legal options and move forward with a personal injury claim? Call Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370 to set up a consultation now.
Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim?
You have to meet specific criteria before pursuing a personal injury case. First, you have to prove that the other party was negligent and that you deserve compensation. This involves showing that the other party had an obligation to keep you safe. Every driver on the road has an obligation to drive as safely as possible. The owner of a business must keep customers safe as they shop.
Next, you have to show how the other party failed to fulfill that obligation. In a car accident, you’d point out how they swerved into your lane or hit you while texting. If you slipped and fell in a retail store, you might report that the store had a leaky ceiling that caused you to fall.
That failure to fulfill an obligation must be linked to the injuries you suffered as a result of the accident. If the other party did something wrong and you suffered injuries for an entirely separate reason, you can’t seek compensation from the first party.
That ties into the last requirement. You must have measurable damages. There’s a misconception that you can file a personal injury claim against someone simply for being negligent, even if their negligence did not lead to actual damages.
Consider, for example, an OB/GYN who waited too long to decide to perform a C-section. The family might want to file a claim because the doctor’s negligence could have led to a birth injury for the baby, but the law does not deal with possibilities. You can only file a claim against a negligent party if their behavior causes you harm.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
At Peake & Fowler, we have extensive experience in a wide range of personal injury cases. Our goal is to help every single client get full and fair compensation for their injuries. Over the years, some of the cases we have handled include:
- Car, truck, motorcycle, and other motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents involving a third party
- Defective products
- Slip and fall injuries
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Nursing home abuse
- Serious and catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Choosing the right attorney for your case is crucial. You’ll want to work with an attorney who spends most of their time on personal injury claims, rather than one who does personal injury work in addition to several other areas of practice. By working with someone with specialized experience, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands.
Proving Liability in Camden, SC
If liability is the cornerstone of a personal injury claim, how do you prove that someone else caused your injuries? It all starts with the right evidence. It’s difficult to think clearly in the aftermath of an accident, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. However, spending a few moments gathering your thoughts can help you figure out what evidence to gather.
After a car accident, you may want to take photos of the crash scene, connect with eyewitnesses, and protect any dashcam footage you have. If you’re injured after a slip and fall, take pictures of the obstacle that caused you to trip, look for any damage to your clothes, and check to see if there are security cameras near you.
From there, you will also need to prove the extent of your injuries to get a full and fair settlement. It’s recommended that you seek medical attention right away. This creates a link between your injuries and the accident. Additionally, it allows you to catch serious injuries early and get them treated before they cause permanent damage. Consider going to a local hospital, such as Kershaw Medical Center, Three Rivers Hospital, or Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital to get checked out.
As you gather evidence, make copies and backups for your attorney. This will be helpful when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company.
Getting the Compensation That You Deserve
You know that you’re not to blame for your injuries, but how do you get the compensation you rightfully deserve? Choosing the right attorney is a big part of building the strongest case possible. Most personal injury settlements are not paid out by individuals—they are paid by insurance companies.
If you have a successful auto accident claim, the other party’s insurance company will have to pay up. If you slip and hurt yourself in a place of business, their business or general liability insurance should cover your expenses. For that reason, you’ll want to work with a lawyer who has plenty of experience negotiating with insurance companies.
Insurance companies do everything they legally can to avoid giving accident victims a full and fair settlement. This often means gathering information they can use against you (including your own words), looking for a way to place the blame on you, or ignoring the evidence you present. They may even just ignore your calls and hope that putting you off often enough will make you give up.
An aggressive attorney will build a case they can’t ignore and hold them accountable during negotiations. If negotiations are unsuccessful, your Camden personal injury lawyer must be ready to go to court.
The compensation varies widely, based on the severity of your injuries. Settlements often include compensation for:
- Medical bills and related expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
When you meet with the team at Peake & Fowler, we can get the details of your case and give you a better idea of what to expect from your claim.
Trust Peake & Fowler with Your Camden Personal Injury Claim
It’s important to move quickly if you want to file a personal injury claim in Camden, as you must gather evidence and file before the statute of limitations is up. We’re here to help as you recover physically and mentally from your injuries. Set up a meeting with us now by calling us at 803-788-4370 or reaching out online.
