West Ashley Personal Injury Attorneys

South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Serving West Ashley and Communities Throughout the Charleston Area

West Ashley has grown steadily since its early days. Today, it is home to over 83,000 Charleston residents and is also home to reviving business districts, Citadel Mall, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, and many other venues. 

More people and businesses create a more vibrant community. Yet they also increase the risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a West Ashley accident, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney today. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm can help.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in West Ashley

Personal injuries can occur in many situations. Common personal injury scenarios in West Ashley include vehicle collisions, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, work-related injuries, and premises liability injuries.

Vehicle Accidents

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) recorded 16,104 vehicle collisions in Charleston County in 2022. Charleston County had the highest crash total of any South Carolina county in 2022. The county had the fourth highest total of fatal traffic collisions and the highest total of injury collisions as well. 

Drunk driving remains a common cause of vehicle collisions and injuries. The SCDPS estimates that in 2022, 33 people died in Charleston County crashes that involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Other common causes include distracted driving, speeding, and failing to follow the rules of the road. 

Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Motorcycle Accidents

Charleston County saw multiple pedestrian accidents in 2022. Common intersections for these accidents included:

• S-475 at SC-642 (Dorchester Road): 3 pedestrian deaths and one injury.
• S-106 (Saint Philip St.) at S-404 (Calhoun Street): 3 pedestrian injuries.
• S-13 (Remount Rd.) at US-52: 1 death and two injuries, including one serious injury.
• SC-171 (Folly Road) at Cty-2684 (Arctic Avenue): 2 injuries, including one serious injury. 

In total, 17 pedestrians died and 21 experienced a serious injury in Charleston County collisions in 2022. Bicyclists, motorcyclists, and moped operators also experienced serious crashes in Charleston County. In 2022:

• 3 bicyclists died and 14 suffered serious injuries.
• 1 moped operator was killed and 10 suffered serious injuries.
• 9 motorcyclists died and 32 suffered serious injuries.

Work-Related Injuries

Work-related injuries in South Carolina continue to interfere with workers’ ability to stay on the job, earn their wages, and support their families. In 2023, over 30,000 South Carolina workers suffered an injury on the job. Approximately 12,200 workers had to take time off work to recover from their injuries. In about 6,800 cases, workers had to accept a less demanding job or restrictions on their role to compensate for their injuries.

Employees injured on the job in South Carolina can typically seek workers’ compensation benefits. Yet it can be difficult to get benefits. Employers and insurers may delay your claim or deny you benefits. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get workers’ compensation. An attorney can also help you file a claim against any other party at fault for your injuries. 

Premises Liability Claims

A premises liability claim occurs when the owner of a home or business fails to keep the place reasonably safe for others to visit or to warn them about hidden dangers. Navigating these claims can be challenging, as the applicable rules depend on the type of venue and the status of the injured person. 

The most common premises liability claims are slip and fall claims. Between 2018 and 2022, Charleston County residents experienced unintentional falls at a rate of 2,459.2 people per 100,000 residents. Unintentional falls are among the most common causes of death for elderly Americans. They can cause serious injuries at any age. 

Other injuries in premises liability claims can result from inadequate lighting, broken fixtures or railings, inadequate security, and similar issues. 

Consequences of Serious Injuries

Accidents caused 4,827 deaths in South Carolina in 2022, according to the CDC. Accidents were the third leading cause of death in South Carolina that year. 

Both fatal and non-fatal accidents come with significant costs. A study in the journal Injury Prevention determined the average costs of serious and fatal injuries. 

Fatal injuries cost $6,880 per emergency department visit and $41,750 for patients admitted to the hospital, on average. The average one-year cost of non-fatal injuries per person was $6,620, although the studied injuries ranged from $1,698 to $80,172.

These numbers do not include non-medical costs of a serious injury, which can be catastrophic. Lost wages, damaged property, ongoing medical bills, and other losses can continue to drain a family’s resources long after the accident occurred. 

If you’ve been injured and suspect someone else’s negligence is to blame, talk to an experienced West Ashley personal injury lawyer today. 

Common West Ashley Personal Injuries

A personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for many common types of serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Damage to the face, neck, and back
• Muscle and soft tissue injuries
• Nervous system injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Amputation and crush injuries
• Burn injuries
• Electrocutions

Your claim can also seek compensation for the physical pain and suffering you experience, as well as for the mental and emotional anguish that may be connected to your injuries.

West Ashley Personal Injury Lawsuit Basics

For many injured people and their families, a serious injury is the first time they’ve considered seeking legal help or filing a lawsuit. Speak to an experienced West Ashley injury lawyer to learn more about your rights and options. Understanding the basics of these claims can help you make informed decisions. 

Should I File a Lawsuit If I Was Injured in an Accident?

Pursuing a personal injury claim has several benefits. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. An attorney can help level the playing field by advocating for your rights and ensuring you seek full and fair compensation for your losses. They handle communication with insurance adjusters and help gather necessary evidence to strengthen your claim.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If initial negotiations or demand letters do not result in a satisfactory settlement, your attorney will prepare to take your case to civil court. This involves several steps:

1. Prelitigation
   Your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to support your claim.
2. Mediation
   Many cases go through mediation before reaching trial, where both parties attempt to reach a settlement with the help of a neutral third party.
3. Trial
   If mediation fails, your case may proceed to trial, where your attorney will present your case to a judge or jury.

Example Case: Consider a case handled by the Steinberg Law Firm involving a rear-end crash on Highway 61 in Dorchester County. In this instance, the legal team pursued compensation for the victim by gathering extensive evidence and negotiating with multiple parties involved. When initial settlement discussions did not yield a satisfactory resolution, the firm was prepared to escalate the case to court, ensuring the client’s rights were protected throughout the process.

Filing a lawsuit not only seeks compensation for your injuries but also holds the responsible party accountable for their actions, whether due to negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. This legal action is often essential to securing the financial support you and your family need to recover and move forward.

What Types of Damages Can I Seek in a Personal Injury Claim?

Most South Carolina personal injury claims seek two broad types of damages. “Economic” damages are financial losses. Common economic damages in a personal injury or wrongful death case include:

• Medical bills: Both medical bills for treatment you’ve already received and costs for treatment you’ll need in the future may be included.
• Lost wages: A personal injury lawsuit can seek compensation for wages you’ve lost through missed work and wages you may lose if your injuries prevent you from working again. 
• Property damage: Many personal injury lawsuits involve damaged property, like a totaled vehicle. Your case can seek compensation for these losses as well.

In a wrongful death claim, a family can also seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses. 

“Non-economic” damages are not financial. Yet they impose costs on an injured person and their family. Common non-economic damages in a personal injury case include:

• Physical pain and suffering, including pain and suffering experienced by an injured person prior to death,
• Emotional and mental anguish, such as the emotional impact of losing a limb or the anguish of losing a loved one. 

Your losses are unique, and so are the precise types and amounts of damages available. An attorney can help you determine exactly what your case is worth. 

How Do I Know Who Was at Fault for My Injuries?

Most personal injury claims are based on negligence. In a negligence claim, an injured party or “plaintiff” seeks to prove that:

• The other person or party (the “defendant”) was negligent or careless in a particular way,
• The plaintiff suffered personal injuries, damage to property, or both, and
• The defendant’s negligence or carelessness caused these injuries to the plaintiff.

Proving fault is the process of showing that your injuries resulted from the other party’s negligence or carelessness. Proving fault requires attention to the unique circumstances of each case. 

In a complex case, proving fault can be tough. Determining whose carelessness caused the chain of events that injured you can feel daunting. It’s especially challenging when you are struggling to recover from major injuries or the loss of a loved one.

The best way to determine who was at fault for your injuries is to work with an experienced West Ashley injury attorney. Your lawyer can investigate your claim and build a case for you while you heal. 

Speak To An Experienced West Ashley Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Personal injuries are often costly to treat. A personal injury claim helps injured people and families hold accountable those whose negligence caused harm. 

A consultation with an experienced West Ashley injury attorney can help answer your questions and provide hope in the aftermath of a deadly or serious accident. Contact the Steinberg Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.