After a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is a potentially long and drawn-out court case. Between keeping track of insurance companies and scheduling doctors’ visits, you begin to lose time at work, adding to financial stress. For this reason, most people dealing with personal injury claims turn to an experienced attorney. At Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re happy to provide you with top-tier legal advice so you can make the best decision for your case. Here are three crucial things you should know about personal injury cases.
You Only Have a Limited Time to File a Lawsuit
The time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit varies from state to state. The South Carolina statute for civil cases is either 2 or 3 years depending on the defendant. This is why it is important to take time to speak with a Greenville personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Pain and Suffering Can Mean a Few Different Things
Accidents can result in life-altering changes, including pain, suffering, and mental distress. When calculating personal injury lawsuit settlement amounts, pain and suffering are typically calculated using the total amount of medical bills multiplied by the severity of distress decided on a scale of 1 to 5.
Personal Injury Cases Can Take Time
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court; however, in some cases, to get the full amount, our attorneys must take it to court. Settlement checks for personal injury cases can take anywhere from four to six weeks to arrive after the case is settled. You should speak with one of our attorneys if you hope to learn exactly how long it may take to receive your settlement check.
Contact One of Our Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury and want to find out if you’re entitled to compensation, contact us at Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers. We offer free, in-person consultations and are happy to answer any of your questions.
FAQs
When is the best time to contact a personal injury lawyer about my case?
If you’ve been involved in an accident because of someone else’s negligence, you should contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible. The time period in which legal action is allowed may begin at the time of injury, which is why you should call a lawyer immediately to ensure you receive compensation for your case.
How much is my case potentially worth?
Before investigating the extent of your injuries, medical costs, emotional suffering, and lost wages, it is impossible to know what kind of settlement to expect. If an attorney tries to give you a value or dollar amount for your case right away, you should trust it.
What is a “contingent fee”?
A contingent fee means that a lawyer will only charge you a fee if they win your case. Payment is “contingent” upon the success of your case. The fee is taken as a percentage of the settlement obtained for you.
