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    Filing a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina involves multiple stages, each crucial for the outcome of your case. While not all cases go through every step, it’s essential to understand the process to navigate it effectively. Generally, personal injury claims in South Carolina are governed by the negligence standard, meaning the at-fault party can be held liable for damages. This could include individuals, businesses, property owners, insurance companies, or even the government. Consulting with an experienced South Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident is vital. Here’s a detailed look at the early stages of the personal injury claim process:

    Do Not Delay Medical Treatment

    The first and most critical step after sustaining an injury is to timely seek professional medical treatment. Your health should be the top priority, as adrenaline can mask injuries immediately after an accident. A prompt medical exam is essential, as some injuries may not be immediately obvious. Medical documentation serves as important evidence in every personal injury case, and it will be a crucial piece of evidence for your claim.  Failing to timely seek medical treatment may also bring into question the proximate cause of your injury, and create an obstacle to achieving a fair and reasonable resolution.

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    Consult with a Lawyer

    After addressing your immediate medical needs, it’s in your best interest to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. An initial consultation allows the lawyer to review your case in detail. At Joye Law Firm, we offer free consultations with no hidden fees or strings attached. This initial discussion is the foundation for building your case. If you don’t need a lawyer, we will be upfront with you and help you find the resources you need to handle your case on your own. However, if you suffered injuries, it’s likely that you will need an attorney.

    What Happens During a Free Consultation?

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    Notify Your Insurance Carrier

    South Carolina operates as a fault state, meaning the driver responsible for an accident—and their insurance company—are liable for covering the victim’s medical expenses, property damage, and other related costs. The state applies a “modified comparative fault” rule, which assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved. If a plaintiff is found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, they cannot recover any compensation.

    In South Carolina, you are legally required to report accidents that result in injury, death, or significant property damage. At the scene of a crash, the responding officer will give you an FR-10 insurance verification form. This form must be submitted to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident. Failing to do so can result in penalties and complicate your claim process. Always ensure you report the accident to the police, even if it seems minor at the time.

    It’s important to notify your insurance company after an accident if you’ve sustained injuries or property damage. Having an attorney handle this for you can help delay providing any recorded statements to the insurer until you’ve had the chance to discuss your case with legal counsel.
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    Case Investigation

    Once you’ve hired legal representation, your attorney will begin investigating the accident. Your attorney will gather your medical records and begin collecting other evidence to support your claim, such as photos of the scene, property damage, and your injuries, they will request your receipts for treatment, and your first-hand account of how your life has been changed by the collision.

    During this process, your attorney will investigate the details of the incident to understand how the injury occurred, the severity of your injuries, and the associated damages and costs. This includes contacting the at-fault party’s insurance company and their legal counsel if they’ve hired one. While your attorney manages these tasks behind the scenes, your primary focus should be on following your treatment plan and keeping your lawyer updated on your progress. Your goal during this time is to heal and work towards regaining your pre-accident health while your attorney handles the legal investigation.

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    Case Valuation

    One of the unique ways our law firm maximizes potential recovery for our clients is through regular case evaluation meetings. Each week, our attorneys come together to review pending cases and assess their settlement value. These meetings ensure that every client benefits from the expertise and insights of our partners and senior attorneys. By giving each case the focused attention it deserves, we’re often able to secure results that exceed initial estimates, providing our clients with the best possible outcomes.

    Demand Letter

    As your case proceeds, your lawyer will begin by drafting a demand letter to the at-fault insurance company. The demand letter summarizes the facts of your accident, your allegations against the at-fault party, the legal basis for your claim, and, most importantly, a demand for just compensation for your injuries and losses. This letter is typically not submitted until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and the full extent of your injury-related costs can be accurately calculated.  The defendant will then respond within a reasonable time period (the time period depends greatly on the complexity of the case), the response may admit or deny the allegations, and/or accompany an offer of settlement.
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    Settlement Discussions

    Lawyers will engage in settlement talks as soon as the at-fault party responds to the demand letter.  Generally, the more time your lawyer has to negotiate the better the result will be for you.  Productive settlement discussions can sometimes resolve the claim before a lawsuit is even filed. However, for severe injuries and high damages, filing a lawsuit is often necessary to recover full compensation.
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    Settlement Reached

    In many instances, especially when the proximate cause of an injury and liability are clear, settlement negotiations result in a fair agreement, resolving the case. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, only 4-5% of personal injury cases go to trial, with about 95-96% being settled before reaching that stage. Even if your case progresses to the point of filing a lawsuit, there’s still a strong likelihood it will settle before trial. In fact, it’s common for the most favorable settlement offers to be made just days before the trial is set to begin.

    Is it better to go to court or take a settlement?

    Filing a Lawsuit

    If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will discuss the option of filing a lawsuit and proceeding to court. It’s important to remember that a settlement can still be reached even after a lawsuit is filed.

    All personal injury lawsuits begin with a complaint. This is a statement of your allegations against the at-fault party. The complaint does not include all the evidence or information you may present at trial. Rather, it serves as a brief overview of the facts of the case and identifies the specific legal basis on which the defendant (or defendants) may be liable for harm caused to you, the plaintiff.

    Once a complaint is filed and served, the defendant will file a responsive pleading known as an answer. The answer usually contains a series of statements admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint. The answer may also include one or more counter-claims against the plaintiff. For example, if you are in a two-car accident and sue the other driver for negligence, they may turn around and file a counterclaim alleging you were responsible for the accident.

    However, depending on the facts of the case, sometimes, the defendant will defer filing an answer and instead move to dismiss your complaint. This can lead to an extended back-and-forth process where the plaintiff will file briefs and one or more amended complaints. Eventually—assuming the judge does not dismiss the case—the parties will file their final pleadings, which define the exact factual and legal issues for the court to resolve.

    It’s crucial to note that South Carolina’s statute of limitations requires filing a personal injury lawsuit within three years of discovering the harm caused by the accident.

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    Discovery

    Discovery is the stage where both sides seek information relevant to the case. This process involves exchanging written questions (interrogatories), document requests, and admissions of fact.

    It can also include taking oral depositions from the parties and other witnesses. Depositions are conducted under oath, which means that all parties are sworn to give truthful testimony under penalty of perjury. Deposition testimony may also be introduced at trial to challenge the credibility of a party or witness who might have changed their story.

    Another element of discovery is the introduction of expert witnesses. Many times, the testimony of the parties and eyewitnesses alone is insufficient to establish (or disprove) liability. For instance, in a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff will produce one or more experts to explain how the defendant’s actions departed from the accepted standard of care. Even in a car accident lawsuit, a technical expert can help reconstruct the events leading up to the accident.

    During discovery, either party may ask the judge to grant summary judgment in its favor. A motion for summary judgment means that there is no genuine factual or legal dispute for a jury to resolve. The judge considers a summary judgment motion by looking at the available facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. In other words, if the defendant moves for summary judgment, the judge will only grant the motion if, looking at the facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, there is no question that the defendant is entitled to prevail as a matter of law.

    What To Expect in the Discovery Phase of a Lawsuit?

     
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    Mediation or Arbitration

    Every case that is filed in South Carolina must go through mediation—an alternative dispute resolution method that brings both sides, their attorneys, and a neutral third party together. The mediator, an individual with legal expertise, serves as a neutral intermediary, facilitating negotiations between the parties. In private sessions, the mediator can offer insight into the advantages and disadvantages of reaching a settlement. Mediation provides an opportunity to resolve the dispute outside of court, avoiding the formalities and unpredictability of a jury trial.  Mediation normally takes place at the end of discovery.

    Arbitration for Personal Injury Cases

    Trial

    Once discovery is completed—and assuming the judge does not grant summary judgment to either side—the case can finally proceed to trial. Both the South Carolina and U.S. constitutions guarantee the right to demand a trial by jury. However, the parties can also agree to allow the judge to try the case without a jury. In the case of a jury trial, the attorneys for both sides will question potential jurors in a process known as voir dire. This process ensures that the jurors are impartial—that is, they do not have any advanced information about the case and are not biased for or against either party.

    Whether the case is tried before a jury or a judge alone, the trial proceeds in a similar manner. Anyone who has ever watched a courtroom drama on television knows how this works: the attorneys for each side make opening statements, witnesses are called and questioned, and exhibits are introduced. Following closing statements, the judge or jury will render a verdict.

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    Appeal

    After a verdict, the losing side may appeal the decision. The appeals process starts with motions before the trial judge, possibly asking to overturn the verdict or for a new trial. If unsuccessful, the losing party can seek review from an appellate court. Appeals focus on legal errors made during the trial rather than re-examining evidence. The appellate process involves filing written briefs and can extend for over a year. Final appellate review may go to higher courts, such as the South Carolina Supreme Court, but once exhausted, the case concludes unless further trial court proceedings are ordered.

    Learn more about the Appeals Process

    Get the Legal Help You Need to Win Your Personal Injury Claim

    Navigating a personal injury claim in South Carolina can be complex and time-consuming, but understanding the process is key to protecting your rights. Whether your case is resolved through settlement, mediation, or going to trial, having the guidance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is invaluable. An experienced South Carolina personal injury lawyer can guide you through each stage, protecting your interests and striving for the best possible outcome.

    At Joye Law Firm, we have a proven track record of delivering results for our clients, evidenced by over half a billion dollars secured in settlements and verdicts. With decades of experience, top-tier credentials, and a dedication to personalized service, our team is ready to fight for you.

    If you’ve been injured, don’t wait—contact us today at (888) 342-3100 for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.

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