Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney in Rock Hill, SC

Being injured or losing a loved one as a result of another person’s careless actions can be devastating. Due to recklessness or negligence, you may now be facing high medical costs, lost wages, and the expense of replacing or repairing damaged property. You should not have to shoulder these expenses alone. A Rock Hill personal injury lawyer can help you fight for fair compensation so your life can return to financial stability and normalcy.

With experienced legal guidance, you gain a better understanding of your legal rights and options. This lets you focus on your healing while your attorney takes care of the complexities of your claim. Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, is here to help.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

It can be difficult to receive a fair settlement following a personal injury. You are often required to prove that your injuries were caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another person. The stress of fighting a legal battle can make the recovery process more difficult and overwhelming. An experienced attorney handles communications with insurance companies, gathers critical evidence, and builds a strong claim to support your case.

You need to hire a personal injury lawyer from Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, to represent your interests and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to under South Carolina law following an accident. This includes damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

Personal Injury Claims in South Carolina

A personal injury can come from any number of places. Common causes of personal injuries include traffic accidents, as either a motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian, workplace injuries, or accidents on public or private property.

In 2023, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 51,638 injuries caused in traffic accidents and 676 fatalities. Of those fatalities, 26 were bicyclists, and 187 were pedestrians. A total of 145,761 traffic collisions occurred, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and property damage in South Carolina.

Injuries sustained in the workplace also account for many personal injury cases. Information collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found over 3.1 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2024. Over half of these cases required days away from work, job restrictions, or job transfer.

If you have suffered a personal injury, you may have to file a claim in civil court to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Rock Hill residents can file in the Court of Common Pleas at the South Carolina 16th Judicial Circuit Court in York.

Types of Personal Injuries

Facing a personal injury case without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney can be challenging. Gathering evidence, communicating with insurance companies, and meeting legal deadlines while injured or overwhelmed can be difficult. You may feel pressured to accept a low settlement offer simply to move forward. Having strong legal representation helps ensure your rights are protected and that your claim is taken seriously.

Common personal injuries include:

• Car accidents. Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury claims and are often caused by distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence. Seeking medical care immediately and documenting all accident-related expenses is critical. You must also prove the other driver was at fault while demonstrating that you were not responsible for the collision.
• Truck accidents. Truck accident claims often result in large settlement offers, but they also have the potential to cause serious injuries. Life-changing injuries can occur due to how large and heavy commercial vehicles are compared with regular passenger vehicles. Truck accidents also have the potential to impact multiple drivers, especially when a jackknife or rollover accident occurs.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents often cause serious injuries, especially if the motorcycle rider isn’t wearing appropriate gear when riding. The stigma around motorcycle riders often makes it more difficult to receive fair compensation after an accident, as insurance companies are quick to blame the motorcycle rider for the accident.
• Rideshare accidents. These are often more complicated than similar car accidents. If your driver has not disclosed the fact that they drive for a rideshare service, their insurance likely won’t cover the accident, leaving you having to file a civil claim against them personally.
• Workplace accidents. Workplace accidents are covered under workers’ compensation benefits, but filing a claim for workers’ compensation can be difficult. Workers’ compensation should cover medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits in the event of a workplace death. You have to get approval from your employer before receiving medical treatment, as they have the right to choose which provider you see.
• Construction accidents. Construction accidents commonly involve falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-between accidents. Injured workers may pursue workers’ compensation and, in some cases, third-party claims.
• Premises liability claims. Property owners may be held liable when injuries occur due to unsafe conditions such as poor maintenance, unaddressed hazards, or inadequate security. These accidents are often preventable with reasonable care.
• Private property. Slip and fall incidents, pool accidents, and structural hazards on private property can lead to serious injuries. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions, including proper fencing and safety measures around pools.
• Dog bites. South Carolina follows a strict liability standard for dog bites, holding owners responsible regardless of prior behavior. Liability may also extend to injuries caused indirectly by a dog’s actions.
• A wrongful death. Wrongful death claims arise when a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence or recklessness. Common causes include vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, defective products, and medical malpractice. Surviving family members may pursue damages on behalf of the estate.

Many personal injury cases are straightforward. In these cases, someone behaves in a reckless manner that causes harm to others. However, some cases are more difficult to assign liability. When vehicles or other large machines malfunction, the responsible party could be a manufacturer or maintenance company. When an item malfunctions or is faulty, there could be multiple people or companies to blame for the defects.

Types of Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim

After experiencing a personal injury, there are several different types of damages you can seek to compensate for the expenses and trauma caused by the accident. You do not have to have a personal injury attorney when communicating with insurance agents and negotiating your settlement amount, but settlements are often higher when negotiated by an attorney. Your attorney can handle negotiations while you focus on recovering.

The amount of compensation available depends on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Common forms of compensation include:

• Special compensatory damages. This category of damages includes economic damages intended to compensate an accident victim for expenses related to the accident. Common economic damages include medical expenses, both current and future, lost wages, and the cost to repair or replace damaged property.
• General compensatory damages. This category is often referred to as non-economic damages, such as emotional, physical, or psychological trauma suffered as a result of the accident. Compensation is for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, or loss of life enjoyment.
• Punitive damages. Under specific circumstances, cases where injuries were caused by extreme recklessness or malice, a judge can award punitive damages as a punishment for the at-fault party and to deter others from acting similarly in the future.

Challenges of Determining Damages

Once you have proven that the accident was caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another person, you also have to provide evidence of how the accident affected you. You have to prove you suffered losses before you can seek compensation.

Some common challenges include:

• If you delay seeking medical attention, the insurance company could use that as evidence that your injuries were not as severe as you claim.
• Insurance companies may attempt to assign partial fault to reduce compensation under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule.
• Economic damages are easy to calculate, but you need to provide proof of how much you have paid in medical bills, the total amount of lost wages, and the actual cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.
• Non-economic damages have no set monetary value and instead are calculated by one of two typical methods. The multiplier method looks at the economic damages owed and multiplies them by a number based on the severity of injuries. The per diem method awards a dollar amount per day for the duration of the recovery.
• Non-economic and punitive damages have a cap on the amount that can be awarded, but that cap varies with the circumstances of the case.
• Claims have to be filed within the statute of limitations, or compensation can no longer be awarded.
• Your claim can be damaged if you post about the accident or your injuries on social media or discuss them with friends and family.

FAQs

What Are the Odds of Winning a Personal Injury Claim?

The odds of winning a personal injury claim can be relatively high. The most difficult part is proving who was at fault for the accident and demonstrating that you bear little or no fault for the accident. The majority of cases are settled through negotiations with the insurance company, but some cases require filing in civil court. Your awarded settlement can also be reduced by the percentage of fault you are responsible for in the accident.

What Not to Say to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Although you should be honest with your personal injury lawyer, there are some things you should avoid saying. When talking about the accident, don’t admit fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you. Don’t try to minimize the extent of your injuries, but don’t exaggerate or claim preexisting conditions are a result of the accident. Present the facts of the accident, but don’t speculate on causes or guess. If you don’t know the answer, just say so.

How Much Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?

Personal injury lawyers typically charge a contingency fee that is paid from the settlement amount awarded. There are usually no upfront costs, and you are not charged if you don’t receive a settlement. There is no standard fee, but the fee is usually lower if the case is settled through negotiations and is increased if the case is resolved in court. You can discuss the fee structure during your initial consultation.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

There is no single hardest injury to prove, but injuries that are not visually obvious, have varying symptoms, and those that are difficult to prove with scans or tests are difficult to prove and can cause problems when filing a personal injury claim. The insurance company requires extensive proof of injuries and is reluctant to offer compensation without clear evidence. Receiving medical care quickly and retaining documentation can help strengthen your claim.

What Is the Modified Comparative Negligence Law in South Carolina?

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence law when it comes to accidents. Modified comparative negligence allows you to recover damages after an accident as long as you are only 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your final settlement award is then reduced by your percentage of fault.

Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC

After experiencing a personal injury, it is important to secure a Rock Hill personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our team has extensive experience representing residents in North and South Carolina and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. 

We know how overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and the ongoing pain of your injuries can be. We’re committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process, ensuring you understand what’s going on and answering any questions you may have.

Our attorneys take time to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf so you can focus on recovery. Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, today to schedule your initial consultation with a Rock Hill personal injury lawyer to move forward with confidence and peace of mind.