At the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, we believe every person deserves dignity, fairness, and justice after suffering a serious injury. Whether you need an accident lawyer, a slip and fall lawyer, or a wrongful death attorney in Columbia, our team is here to stand by your side.
South Carolina allows injured individuals to seek compensation, but the process is often intimidating. That’s why hiring a local personal injury attorney is essential to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured due to negligence in South Carolina, contact our Columbia office to schedule a free injury consultation with our attorneys. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of your claim. Reach out to the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson toady to get the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit that holds negligent parties accountable when their careless actions cause harm to others. These claims arise from accidents or incidents where someone fails to uphold their duty of care, leading to injuries ranging from minor bruises to catastrophic lifelong disabilities. Victims pursue these cases to recover financial losses and regain stability after an unexpected event disrupts their lives.
Our Columbia attorneys can evaluate your situation to determine if negligence applies and begin to build a case focused on proving fault and damages.
How Personal Injury Law Works
Personal injury law operates on the principle of negligence, by proving the at-fault party owed you a duty, breached it, caused your injury, and resulted in measurable losses. South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence system, meaning you can recover damages even if partially at fault, as long as you're less than 51% responsible. This system encourages accountability while considering all contributing factors.
Common Causes of Personal Injuries
Negligence manifests in everyday scenarios where reasonable care is overlooked, turning routine activities into life-altering accidents. Many personal injury claims are filed simply due to someone else’s negligence causing harm. The most common causes of personal injuries include:
- Distracted Driving
- Unsafe Property Conditions
- Defective Products
- Medical Errors
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
South Carolina has one of the highest rates of personal injury claims in the country, with car accidents, slip and falls, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, dog bites, and wrongful death cases being the most common.
Car Accidents and Serious Injuries
Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in South Carolina, with tens of thousands of injury-causing crashes reported each year. These accidents often result from driver error, drunk driving, speeding, or distracted driving, and can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord damage.
Our Columbia motor vehicle accident lawyers are skilled at investigating these incidents, holding negligent drivers accountable, and helping you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Semi-trucks and commercial vehicles can cause significant harm due to their size and cargo loads, often involving fatigued drivers or brake failures. These crashes lead to severe injuries and high-value claims against trucking companies.
South Carolina highways see far too many of these preventable tragedies. We dig into logbooks, maintenance records, and federal regulations to build your case. Victims deserve full accountability from big rigs and their insurers.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents
Riders face heightened vulnerability on South Carolina roads, where lane-splitting, gravel, or turning cars create deadly risks. We counter helmet laws and bias to secure fair recoveries.
Motorcycle and bike crashes often leave riders with life-changing injuries despite taking every precaution. Jurors sometimes prejudge riders, but we use evidence and experts to shift the narrative. Our approach levels the playing field against biased insurers.
Pedestrian Injury Claims
Crosswalks and roadways turn dangerous when drivers ignore signals or speed through neighborhoods. Vulnerable pedestrians suffer fractures, TBIs, and fatalities from these lapses.
Pedestrians in South Carolina deserve protection. That’s why we work with accident reconstructionists to highlight these untimely encounters and to prove driver fault. No one should pay the price for someone else's inattention.
Slip and Fall and Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents are a major category of premises liability claims. These injuries often occur due to hazardous conditions like wet floors, icy sidewalks, or poorly maintained walkways. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe, and when they fail to do so, injured individuals may be entitled to compensation.
At the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson, we know how to hold property owners accountable for the dangers that should have known about. We can analyze security cameras and collect witness statements to back up your claims.
Workplace and Job-Related Injuries
Workplace injuries are common in South Carolina, especially in industries like construction and healthcare. Most employees are covered by workers’ compensation, which can help pay for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages.
However, our attorneys can help you assess your options and see if you qualify for a personal injury claim as well. Third-party negligence often opens additional recovery paths beyond comp benefits. We navigate both systems to secure full compensation for your injuries.
Injuries Caused by Negligence
Dog bites, defective products, and nursing home neglect round out frequent claims, each demanding specific evidence like photos, witnesses, and expert analysis. Animal owners, manufacturers, and facilities can't dodge responsibility for preventable harm.
These cases require quick action to preserve proof before it disappears. We match their defenses with targeted strategies every time. Your recovery comes first.
What Compensation May Be Available
Personal injury claims allow victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover out-of-pocket expenses, while non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses.
Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Future Care
Economic Damages:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage (in motor vehicle accidents)
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
South Carolina personal injury settlement amounts depend on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.
How Insurance Companies Handle Injury Claims
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Our experienced lawyers handle all negotiations with insurers, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found partially at fault for your injury, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Our attorneys will work to minimize any assigned fault while securing your recovery.
If you are found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced. Our attorneys can help you understand how comparative negligence affects your case and work to protect your interests.
Mistakes That Can Hurt a Personal Injury Case
Common mistakes that can derail your personal injury case include admitting fault at the scene, delaying medical care, posting accident details or photos on social media, and giving recorded statements to insurance reps without counsel.
Missing evidence deadlines, like securing repair receipts or witness contacts, further diminishes proof as footage vanishes and memories fade. Avoid these pitfalls by staying silent beyond basics, seeking immediate treatment, locking accounts private, and directing all talks to your attorney from day one.
What to Do After an Injury
If you suffer a serious injury, taking the right steps immediately can protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not show symptoms right away. Getting prompt medical care ensures your health is protected and creates a record for your claim.
- Document Your Injuries: Take photos of your injuries and keep all medical records. This documentation is crucial for your case.
- Report the Incident: If your injury happened in a public place or involved another party, notify the proper authorities and get a police or incident report if possible.
- Gather Evidence: Collect contact information from witnesses, take photos of the scene, and keep any relevant documents or receipts.
- Contact Our Law Office: Schedule a consultation with our Columbia, SC law office as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is committed to helping individuals hold negligent parties accountable and recover the compensation they deserve.
- Follow Medical Advice: Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s recommendations. Consistent care strengthens your case and supports your recovery.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Alone: Before discussing your case with any insurance adjuster, consult with an attorney to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.
For serious injury legal help, reach out to the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson today.
How Long You Have to File a Claim?
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of your accident or injury. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
If your claim involves a government entity, the deadline is significantly shorter with filing required within two years.
There are important exceptions to these time limits. For example:
- If you were a minor when you were injured, the clock does not start until you turn 18, and you then have three years from your 18th birthday to file your claim.
- If you have a mental disability that prevents you from taking legal action, the statute of limitations may be paused until you regain capacity.
For medical malpractice cases, the deadline is generally three years from the date of the act, or up to six years from when the injury should have reasonably been discovered.
For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also three years from the date of your loved one’s death. The personal representative of the deceased’s estate is responsible for filing the claim.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Our attorneys take a comprehensive approach to proving liability. We begin by gathering all relevant evidence, including eyewitness testimony, police reports, photographs, video footage, and medical records, to establish a clear connection between the defendant’s negligence and your injuries. We also interview witnesses and consult with medical experts to strengthen your case and ensure every aspect of your claim is thoroughly documented.
In South Carolina, you must prove your case by a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused your injuries and losses. Our team carefully analyzes the facts, identifies the elements of negligence, and presents a compelling argument to secure your compensation. We can also counter any claims of comparative negligence, ensuring your rights are protected and your recovery is not unfairly reduced.
Evidence, Negotiation, and Leverage
By documenting your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and emotional trauma, we help ensure that you receive fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Our goal is to present a strong, well-supported case that clearly demonstrates the impact of your injuries and the responsibility of the negligent party.
How the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson Helps Injury Victims
Our experienced attorneys provide comprehensive legal services, including:
- Advising you of your rights and legal options
- Handling all communications with insurance companies
- Filing necessary paperwork and obtaining medical records or police reports
- Representing you in negotiations or at trial
- Assisting families with wrongful death claims
No matter the nature of your injury, our team is dedicated to helping you obtain the financial recovery you need to move forward.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Not all personal injury lawyers have the experience needed to secure favorable results. Our attorneys are well-versed in personal injury law and have a proven track record of helping clients recover the compensation they need.
Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, suffered medical malpractice, or lost a loved one due to negligence, our team has the skills and dedication to handle your case. We are proud to be recognized as one of the best personal injury attorneys in Columbia for our client-centered approach and results-driven representation. Call the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson today at (803) 284-8573 to secure the compensation you deserve.
