Tractor-Trailer Truck Accidents
Tractor-trailer truck accidents are different from car crashes. Many large trucks are subject to federal regulations that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. The driving rules are different, and so are the ways truck accidents happen and the actions you should take after a truck wreck. Whether the truck was registered in South Carolina or out of state, you may have the right to pursue a South Carolina truck accident case.
Dram Shop and Liquor Liability Cases
South Carolina does not have a dram shop statute, but a bar, liquor store, or other establishment may be liable for drunk driving accidents that happen after they serve minors or people who are clearly intoxicated. Additionally, social hosts may be liable for drunk driving accidents caused by minors who were drinking at their home or party. These dram shop and social host liability claims are in addition to any claims you may have against the drunk driver.
What Types of Injuries Happen in Myrtle Beach Accidents?
Your injuries are unique but may include one or more of the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a forceful impact or jolt to the head during an accident. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. If you've experienced a head injury in a personal injury accident, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem minor. Diagnosis and treatment of TBIs may involve various medical specialists, rehabilitation programs, and long-term care plans. Documenting your injury and its impact on your daily life is essential for any potential legal claims to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing care, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur when the spinal cord sustains trauma, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis below the injury site. These injuries can be life-altering, affecting mobility, sensation, and even organ function. Treatment for spinal cord injuries may involve surgery, rehabilitation therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing medical care. Your lifetime costs depend on your age and the severity of your injury. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the lifetime costs of living with a spinal cord injury can approach $5 million.
Broken Bones
Broken bones, or fractures, are common injuries in personal injury accidents, ranging from simple fractures to complex compound fractures. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area. If you suspect a broken bone after an accident, seek medical attention promptly to prevent further complications and promote proper healing. Treatment for broken bones typically involves immobilization through casts, splints, or braces to stabilize the fracture and facilitate healing. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to realign the bones or insert hardware for stabilization. Recovering from a broken bone may require physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and function. Keeping detailed records of your health care treatment and expenses can aid in seeking compensation for your injuries and related damages.
Amputations
Amputations involve the surgical removal of a limb or extremity due to severe injury or medical necessity. In personal injury accidents, traumatic amputations can occur as a result of crushing injuries, severe lacerations, or avulsion injuries. The physical and emotional impact of an amputation can be profound, affecting mobility, independence, and quality of life. Rehabilitation for amputations may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and prosthetic fitting to help restore function and adapt to life with limb loss. Living with an amputation can be challenging, but medical care, support, and access to resources can help you.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or internal organ damage, may not always be immediately apparent after an accident. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any signs of internal injury following a personal injury accident, seek medical attention promptly, as internal injuries can be life-threatening if left untreated.
What Does a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
A Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer may have an essential role in helping you navigate a personal injury claim. Our primary responsibility is to advocate for the rights and interests of our clients who have been injured due to negligence or wrongdoing by others by being prepared to provide the following services to our clients if necessary:
- Provide legal guidance
- Conduct thorough investigations
- Gather evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Represent our clients in court
- Help you avoid mistakes
Throughout the legal process, a personal injury lawyer should work to provide support and guidance, ensuring clients understand their rights and options every step of the way.
What Can I Recover in a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Case?
Every case is unique. While we can’t promise you a specific financial recovery, our Myrtle Beach injury lawyers consider all types of damages when working to value a case, including:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include all the costs associated with medical treatment, including hospital bills, doctor's visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation services. It's essential to keep detailed records of all medical-related costs incurred because of the accident so that you can seek reimbursement for these expenses in your personal injury claim.
Lost Income
Lost income refers to the wages, bonuses, raises, benefits, and self-employment income you lost due to an accident injury. If the accident has caused you to miss work or affects your ability to perform your job duties, you may be entitled to compensation for these financial losses. Documenting your lost income, including pay stubs, tax returns, and employment records, is crucial for accurately calculating and seeking reimbursement for this type of damage.
Property Damage
Property damage refers to the physical harm caused to your belongings, such as your vehicle, in a Myrtle Beach personal injury case. If your property was damaged in the accident, you may receive compensation for replacement or repair costs. This can include vehicle damage, damage to personal items inside the vehicle, or damage to other property involved in the accident. It's essential to document the extent of the damage and obtain repair estimates to support your claim for property damage in your personal injury case.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages in a Myrtle Beach personal injury case encompass the physical and emotional distress experienced because of the accident. These damages can include physical pain, discomfort, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. While these damages are subjective and challenging to quantify, they are an essential aspect of seeking full and fair compensation for the overall impact of the accident. Providing detailed accounts of your pain and suffering, along with supporting evidence such as medical records and testimony from health care providers and mental health professionals, can help strengthen your claim for pain and suffering damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded in rare Myrtle Beach personal injury cases to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or egregious behavior. Unlike other types of damages, punitive damages are not intended to compensate you but rather to deter similar misconduct in the future. To seek punitive damages, you must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence of the defendant's malicious intent or conscious disregard for the safety of others. While punitive damages can significantly increase the overall compensation awarded in a personal injury case, they are not guaranteed and are subject to the court's discretion.
When Should I Hire a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer?
It's important to consider hiring a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. The South Carolina statute of limitations gives an injured party a certain limited amount of time from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long to seek legal representation could put your financial recovery at risk.
Additionally, contacting a lawyer early allows for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident while evidence is still fresh and witnesses' remember what happened. A personal injury lawyer can provide guidance on documenting your injuries and losses from the outset, which can be imporant for building a solid case.
Furthermore, insurance companies may attempt to settle quickly and for less than you deserve, but having legal representation allows you to have someone advocating for your fair compensation.
What Should I Expect at an Initial Consultation With a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer?
You can expect a thorough and confidential discussion about your case during an initial consultation with a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer. The lawyer will listen to your account of the accident, including the circumstances leading up to it and the extent of your injuries. They may ask detailed questions to understand the situation better and assess the strength of your potential claim. Additionally, a lawyer might explain:
- Your rights and legal options
- Certain challenges of pursuing your particular personal injury case
- Their fee structure and any costs associated with legal representation
It's essential to be honest and forthcoming during the consultation. The information you provide will help the lawyer evaluate the merits of your case and provide you with personalized advice and guidance.
Questions to Ask During Your First Meeting With a South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney
- What is your experience handling cases similar to mine? While past experience does not guarantee future results, you can look at a personal injury lawyer’s case results to understand the kind of work they do.
- What is your approach to handling personal injury cases? Understanding the lawyer's approach can help you assess whether their style aligns with your preferences and expectations for pursuing your claim.
- How will communication be handled throughout the case? Clarifying communication expectations ensures that you stay informed about the progress of your case and have a clear channel for asking questions and receiving updates.
- What potential challenges do you foresee in my case? Identifying potential challenges upfront lets you understand the risks and complexities of pursuing your claim and prepares you for what to expect.
- What documentation or evidence do you need from me to support my case? This list will allow you to gather the requested information to help your case.
- What are the potential outcomes of my case, and what factors may influence them? Discussing potential outcomes and the factors that may affect them allows you to have a realistic understanding of the possibilities and make informed decisions about your case.
- How will fees and expenses be handled? Clarifying the lawyer's fee structure and any associated expenses ensures transparency and helps you budget for the costs of legal representation.
- Do you have references or testimonials from past clients? While past results do not guarantee future results and every case is different, it may be helpful to see what other clients think of the lawyer you are considering hiring.
