A Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer Shares What You Need to Know After an Accident

What Happens at Your Initial Consultation With a Derrick Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyer 

Your initial consultation with a Charleston personal injury lawyer is an opportunity to discuss the details of your case, ask questions, and determine if you want to proceed with legal representation. During this meeting, you can expect:

• A thorough discussion of the circumstances surrounding your accident and injuries. Our lawyers need to understand what happened to you and how it has impacted your life so that we can advise you about possible next steps.
• An explanation of your legal rights and options, as well as the potential challenges and outcomes of pursuing a personal injury claim. We want you to know what to expect if you decide to pursue an accident case.
• An overview of the lawyer's experience, approach, and fee structure. Every case is different, but we are happy to share some of our clients’ testimonials with you. 
• The opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns you may have. We understand that hiring a personal injury lawyer is an important decision. We want you to be comfortable with your choice, and we are happy to answer all of your questions and address all of your concerns.

Honesty and transparency are crucial during this initial consultation, as the information you provide will help your lawyer evaluate the merits of your case and develop an effective strategy.

Know What You’re Fighting for After a Personal Injury Accident

All of our clients suffer unique injuries, including but not limited to:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Internal Injuries
• Amputations
• Other injuries

If you suffer one or more of these injuries, you are likely suffering physically, emotionally, and financially. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to fight for your fair recovery of:

Health Care Costs

Health care expenses include things like hospital bills, doctor’s appointments, surgical procedures, prescription medications, and rehabilitation services. Even with health insurance, these costs can add up quickly. 

Lost Income

Your accident injuries may prevent you from working. Lost income includes wages, bonuses, raises, benefits, and self-employment income you could not earn because of your injuries. Accurate documentation of lost income, including pay stubs, tax returns, and employment records, is essential for effectively calculating and seeking reimbursement for your damages.

Property Damage

If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in an accident, you may be able to recover for the repair or replacement costs in a personal injury lawsuit.

Emotional and Physical Suffering

It’s hard to put a monetary value on your physical pain and emotional suffering. However, your pain and suffering damages are real. If you experience physical pain, anxiety, depression, or other psychological issues, you should speak to your personal injury lawyer about your options. We have experience quantifying these subjective damages and fighting for our clients’ fair compensation. 

Punitive Damages

Exemplary damages are possible, though infrequent, in Charleston personal injury cases. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse you for losses incurred, punitive damages penalize the defendant for particularly egregious and reckless behavior and serve as a deterrent against similar misconduct in the future. To pursue punitive damages, you must present compelling evidence demonstrating the defendant's malicious intent or blatant disregard for the safety of others. 

Now Is the Time to Contact a Charleston Accident Attorney

The South Carolina Statute of Limitations generally gives you three years to file a Charleston accident lawsuit but there are exceptions.

South Carolina law, however, does not require you to wait that long to contact an attorney. Instead, there are benefits to contacting a lawyer quickly. Evidence may be more readily available soon after your accident.