Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer

Columbia Personal Injury Attorney

Suffering an accident and subsequent injuries can be a life-changing experience – especially when the accident occurs due to someone else’s negligence, and there’s nothing you could have done to prevent it. Thankfully, if you find yourself in the aftermath of such an accident, you have the right to receive compensation. Experienced Columbia personal injury attorneys can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable.

Attorney Brian Steed Tatum at the Tatum Law Firm, can help you file a personal injury claim and seek the recovery of the damages you’ve suffered. Before filing, however, it is wise to speak with a trusted attorney who can guide you through this complicated legal process and do whatever they can to help you reach the positive outcome you deserve.

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case may be filed when the plaintiff’s injuries were caused by, or were the result of, another person’s negligence or wrongful intentions. For instance, a car accident that occurred due to someone driving under the influence could be considered a personal injury case, as it was the direct result of the drunk driver’s negligence.

Personal injury cases can be complex and overwhelming, especially when trying to prove the negligence of the party at fault. A litany of factors can come into play in these cases, and successfully filing a claim can be a difficult task to accomplish on your own. That’s where the Tatum Law Firm comes in.

How a Columbia Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You

Retaining the legal counsel and representation of a Columbia personal injury lawyer can be vital when building a strong, detailed case. You deserve someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to fight for your rights and advocate for justice to be served.

Fortunately, the lawyers at the Tatum Law Firm have the experience required to make a strong case for your injury claim. We can investigate your case thoroughly, collect the necessary evidence to support your assertions, and negotiate with insurance companies or the defendant’s legal team so that you can focus on what’s most important: your own rest and recovery.

Insurance companies will do whatever they can to prevent you from receiving compensation, and they may use anything you say to try to prove fault on your part. The Tatum Law Firm can help establish the defendant’s fault and be prepared to argue against the opposing team’s claims of your liability.

If you’ve suffered from someone else’s negligent or wrongful behavior, the personal injury lawyers at the Tatum Law Firm are prepared to seek the settlement you deserve. We have a full understanding of all the legal matters involved in these cases and can employ that knowledge to fight for what you deserve.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Columbia, SC

Personal injuries can occur in many ways. The most common types of personal injury cases we see are the result of car accidents. Others may include:

• Trucking accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Wrongful death cases
• Construction injuries
• Defective products or product liability
• Medical malpractice or negligence
• Elder or nursing home neglect or abuse
• Slip and fall accidents

At Tatum Law Firm, we’re passionate about fighting for justice on behalf of our personal injury clients. Our attorneys have more than 20 years of litigation experience and are committed to handling every personal injury case with savvy representation and care.

How to Establish Fault in a Personal Injury Case

The most important piece of any personal injury case is establishing and proving fault. Damages can only be recovered if the plaintiff can show that the other party was responsible for the accident that resulted in the injury. The Tatum Law Firm is prepared to make the case that the defendant holds full responsibility.

In order to prove this fault, or liability, the defendant’s behavior must meet the following criteria:

• Duty of Care: This element shows that the defendant owed the victim a specific level of care in terms of safety. It must be shown that the defendant’s behavior caused harm instead of reducing any risk to the victim, as was their duty.
• Breach of Duty: It must be determined that the defendant breached their duty to act carefully in the situation in which the injury was caused. The defendant’s actions and those they should have taken both need to be proven.
• The Injuries Were Caused by the Breach of Duty: Lastly, your attorney needs to prove that the defendant’s breach of duty led to the injuries you sustained.

While this might seem like an overwhelming amount of information required to prove your case, it is vital to obtaining a positive outcome. However, with the Tatum Law Firm by your side, we can do the hard work necessary to prove fault on the part of the defendant.

Common Injuries and Consequences Involved in a Personal Injury Case

The attorneys at the Tatum Law Firm have handled cases involving many types of injuries. Accidents can result in simple injuries like bruising or abrasions or severe conditions like brain injuries or damage to the victim’s spinal cord. Other injuries associated with cases we’ve handled include:

• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Paralysis
• Injuries that cause internal bleeding

No matter what your injuries may be, you deserve justice. Don’t undervalue the losses you’ve experienced. Even things like emotional distress, loss of consortium, or pain and suffering merit fair compensation. The team at the Tatum Law Firm is here no matter what you’ve suffered and can dedicate our time to retrieve the judgment you are owed.

Damages Available in Personal Injury Cases

In personal injury cases, the compensation you seek is referred to as damages. Your attorney must show that the damages you are pursuing are directly related to the injuries sustained, just as they must prove the fault of the opposing party. It is essential for your attorney to show that this fault extends from the breach of the defendant’s duty through the accident, the resulting injuries, and the costs incurred because of those injuries.

Generally, these damages can come in the following two forms:

• Economic Damages: In the case of personal injury, many types of medical bills can occur. These bills can include medications, surgeries, hospital visits, diagnostic exams, various treatments, and rehabilitation. Often, the victim also misses work and loses wages due to these injuries. Economic damages can also include any future medical bills or lost earnings. In addition, if there was any harm done to personal property, you may be able to seek compensation for this.
• Non-Economic Damages: These damages account for anything that may not have a direct bill or receipt. These can include pain and suffering, mental or emotional anguish, or the loss of enjoyment of life. Often, these are the only damages available in personal injury cases. However, if your lawyer can prove that the negligent behavior of the defendant was done with malice or in an intentional or fraudulent manner, you may be able to seek punitive damages.

What to Do Following Your Personal Injury

If you find yourself in the aftermath of a personal injury, there are certain things you can do to benefit from any future claim. Remember, whatever you do or say in the moments following an accident can be used against you by the opposing legal team, so be careful. You will also want to gather whatever evidence you can if you are physically capable of doing so.

The following are important steps to keep in mind should you ever experience a personal injury accident:

• Call the Police: The first step you should take following an accident is to contact the police. This will benefit your case because an officer will file a report of what they observed at the scene, which can be used to prove your claim. Keep in mind, however, to be careful about what you say. No matter the circumstances, don’t admit to even partial fault, as this may affect the success of your claim.
• Seek Medical Attention: After assessing the physical state of yourself and any passengers, it is wise to seek medical attention. Even if no injuries are detected and no one is suffering pain, medical professionals will be able to examine you and determine if you have any internal injuries. There is always the chance that you could be in shock and not experience the full symptoms of your injuries right away. After an accident, it’s wise to see a doctor, even if your injuries didn’t require you to be hospitalized. If you don’t, the opposing legal team could argue that your injuries weren’t severe or occurred as a result of a separate accident.
• Gather Any Evidence: One of the most crucial things you can do following an accident is to document everything. You can do this by taking photos and videos of the scene, the injuries sustained, and anything else you might deem relevant to your personal injury claim. You will also need to keep track of all medical paperwork, such as bills, receipts, summaries of diagnoses, and office or hospital visits. The more documentation, the better. There is no such thing as too much documentation in a civil case, and your attorney will be able to sort through it all and determine what is necessary to prove your claim.
• Collect Contact Information: The second most crucial thing you can do for your claim is to collect the contact information of everyone involved in the accident. This could be the defendant, their insurance company, any other parties involved, and any eyewitnesses.
• Contact an Attorney: Lastly, the sooner you get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC, the better chance you’ll have for a positive outcome. The Tatum Law Firm is here to negotiate with the defendant’s legal team and insurance company and can help you determine the correct course of action to take.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Personal Injury Claim in South Carolina?

A: In the state of South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from when the victim sustains the injuries. One exception might apply if there is a delay in the discovery of the injury. If this is the case, the three years begin when the victim should have reasonably noticed their symptoms.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in South Carolina?

A: In the state of South Carolina, the statute of limitations regarding wrongful death claims is three years from the date of the victim’s passing. If the case is not filed within that time frame, the court will most likely refuse to hear your case, and you will not be able to seek fair compensation.

Q: Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina?

A: In a wrongful death claim in South Carolina, money is divided between beneficiaries. The spouse of the victim is entitled to half of the monetary compensation, while the other half is given equally between the children of the victim. If the victim passes without children, the surviving spouse receives the money in full. If the victim dies without a spouse but is survived by children, they receive everything.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim in South Carolina?

A: In the state of South Carolina, it is difficult to estimate the exact amount of time it might take to resolve a personal injury claim. Each claim is unique. Factors such as the injuries involved, the cooperation of the defendant’s insurance company and legal team, and the amount of compensation you are seeking all play into the timeline of your case.

Let the Tatum Law Firm Be There for You

Whatever the circumstances of your case may be, if you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation. To reach a positive outcome for your claim, working with a trusted Columbia personal injury attorney is essential.

At the Tatum Law Firm, we have what it takes to build a strong, solid case. Contact us today, and let us review your claim to determine the most effective course of action.