Introduction to Personal Injury Law

Personal injury law is a specialized area of legal practice that focuses on helping individuals who have suffered harm due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others. In Columbia, SC, personal injury lawyers are dedicated to representing victims of car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other incidents where someone else’s carelessness has caused injury. Navigating the legal process after a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with mounting medical bills and emotional distress. That’s why consulting with a Columbia car accident lawyer is essential. An experienced accident lawyer can guide you through each step, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, ensuring you have the best chance to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Whether your case involves a car accident, medical malpractice, or another type of personal injury, having a knowledgeable legal professional on your side can make all the difference in achieving a fair outcome.

Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers

Numerous people are injured seriously in accidents each day in Columbia alone. Our firm is dedicated to helping injured clients and accident victims recover after serious accidents by providing the legal support they need. The term “personal injury” encompasses a broad range of accidental injury that may occur in a variety of preventable ways. From stores, to hotels and restaurants, to recreational facilities, nursing homes, and other medical facilities, third parties may sometimes be responsible for the injuries that victims sustain. If you or a loved one has been injured and feels the injury is the result of the conduct of a third party, contact the Columbia personal injury lawyers at Strom Law Firm, LLC today to better understand your rights and learn how we advocate for injury victims.

Types of Personal Injury Accident Claims

There are many different types of accidental injuries, and different cases require unique approaches to fully understand what happened and who might be responsible. Strom Law Firm’s experienced and skilled Columbia personal injury lawyers handle car accident cases, car accident claims, and car crashes, working to identify all parties involved and liable parties to ensure proper responsibility is determined. They have spent their careers successfully taking on and managing cases that arise from a variety of circumstances:

Common Personal Injury 

Car collisions

After being in a Columbia car accident, it is important to take steps to protect your rights, like calling the police, seeking medical attention immediately, and notifying your own insurance company that an accident has occurred. You should always stay at the accident scene and avoid admitting fault, as leaving or making statements about fault can create legal issues and complicate your claim. At the crash scene, collect evidence such as photos, witness statements, and obtain a police report, as this documentation can strengthen your car accident claim against the insurance company. Reporting the accident to the police is crucial to create an official record of the incident. Even if you feel fine, seek prompt medical treatment for any car accident injuries, as some symptoms may appear later and medical records are important for your claim. When filing a car accident claim in South Carolina, remember that you have three years from the date of the accident to take legal action. Insurance companies and adjusters often try to minimize payouts or may offer quick car accident settlements that do not reflect the full extent of your damages. Consulting an experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the process, maximize your car accident case worth, and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Having Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers from the very beginning of a case can help you to manage insurance companies who may contact you early to either ask for statements or attempt resolution when you have not received full and complete treatment for your injuries. Suppose you are approached by the at-fault driver’s insurance company either for information related to the accident, or with an early attempt to resolve the case. In that case, the Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can review that offer and determine if the offer takes into account the full scope of your injuries, both past, present, and future.

Slip and falls

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common personal injury accidents and can often be caused by the negligence or carelessness of another person or a business owner. Businesses and homeowners have certain responsibilities to keep their property safe for visitors and guests, and can be responsible for accidents caused by conditions or events on the property. Falls can often cause catastrophic injuries, and, in certain populations, including the elderly, can even be fatal.

It is important to speak with Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers following your slip and fall, because, at the time of the accident, you may not realize someone else had responsibility in causing the fall. Whether you’ve slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store, tripped over a raised sidewalk, fallen on a tire stop, or encountered a broken handrail or other condition that was not otherwise obvious because of paint, or a curb, or suffered a slip and fall in any number of different ways, contact theslip and fall attorneysat Strom Law Firm immediately to discuss your slip and fall today.

Motorcycle accidents

Even the most skilled and experienced riders can be involved in a motorcycle accident resulting in serious injuries on the Columbia, South Carolina roads. Common injuries suffered after a motorcycle accident include road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage. Sadly, these accidents can be fatal, leaving families behind with unpaid bills and the loss of a loved one.

Rarely will a motorcyclist not need medical treatment following an accident. They often require transport by emergency medical services (EMS) to a hospital. Medical bills and other expenses add up quickly. Fortunately, an injured victim may be entitled to compensation from a negligent driver or other responsible parties.

Boating accidents

Boating accidents in Colombia can often lead to injuries and even deaths. The following list represents instances where a boater may cause an accident leading to personal injuries:

• The operator was inattentive due to his phone or others on the boat.
• The vessel had mechanical issues that were ignored.
• The boater was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The boater was moving too fast.
• Failure to keep a proper lookout
• Inoperable lights or failure to use lights
• Boat operator inexperience

While South Carolina does not require boat operators to carry insurance, many boaters do.  It is important to hire Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers to work towards securing compensation from boat owners and their insurance policies when you or a loved one is involved in a boat accident resulting in serious bodily injury or death.

Trucking accidents

Truck accidents refer to accidents involving multi-axle vehicles, such as big rigs or eighteen-wheelers, whose overall weight is far in excess of that of a regular vehicle. Trucking accidents are among the most common, leading to significant and permanent injuries, and can arise from a variety of factors due to the unique nature of the trucking industry. Truckers may be on the road for too long, overworked and tired, and, as such, may make mistakes.

An eighteen-wheeler’s size and weight make it capable of destruction when accidents occur. Whether an accident is caused by a driver’s carelessness, a decision by a trucking company to put an unqualified or overworked driver on the road, by a maintenance problem, or by a defect in the truck or cargo’s manufacturing, those responsible must be held accountable.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents

While Columbia, South Carolina, drivers are required to use due care when sharing the road with cyclists, doing so is often difficult. The most common causes of these accidents include:

• Aggressive drivers.
• Failure to yield a right-of-way.
• “Dooring.”
• Impairment.
• Poor visibility.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or have otherwise been harmed by the carelessness of a driver on Columbia roadways, consult an experienced Columbia bicycle accident injury attorney. A pedestrian accident lawyer or motorcycle accident lawyer may be essential to serving as protection from insurance companies trying to settle quickly with you.

Common Causes of Accidents

Car accidents in Columbia, SC, can happen for a variety of reasons, many of which are preventable. Some of the most common causes include distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and reckless or aggressive behavior behind the wheel. These factors often lead to severe injuries, significant property damage, and, tragically, even fatalities. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the state saw over 2,000 fatal crashes in 2020, resulting in more than 2,500 deaths. If you are involved in a Columbia car accident, it is crucial to prioritize your health by seeking immediate medical attention, even if injuries are not immediately apparent. Afterward, consulting with a Columbia car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.

Additional Areas for Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers

• Medical malpractice – Every year, medical providers make significant and sometimes life-altering mistakes. Whether injured during surgery, diagnosis, or routine care, hospitals, practices, doctors, nurses, and other clinical and administrative staff who fall below the standard of care should be held accountable by our Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers.
• Bus accidents– When a bus is involved in an accident, whether with another car or a pedestrian, significant injury can occur.
• Nursing home abuse – Nursing home abuse and neglect may present itself in several ways. All can cause significant physical, mental, and emotional damage to vulnerable victims.
  • Physical Neglect
  • Failure to provide services
  • Failure to adhere to a plan of care
  • Financial abuse
  • Physical altercation
  • Sexual battery
  • Emotional abuse

• Premises liability– More than just slip and falls happen thanks to unsafe conditions in stores and on other people’s property. Dog bites, drowning, falling objects, hazardous conditions, and allowing dangerous activities, etc. can all lead to significant injury, and can be the result of failures on the part of homeowners or proprietors.

• Dangerous prescription drugs
• Dog bites– Too often, individuals who take every preventative measure are still bitten by dogs. Many of those bites can be very severe.
• Defective products – Flawed products are put in the market all the time. When products cause injury or are likely to cause injury and are made available to the public, the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of those products must be held accountable.

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Claims

Our Columbia accident injury clients suffer from a variety of injuries. Car accident injuries are among the most common in the Columbia area and can range from minor to catastrophic, often requiring prompt medical treatment and legal assistance to ensure fair compensation. Some victims have their entire lives altered or even ended by the mistake of another person. Our Columbia personal injury lawyers have experience representing clients suffering from:

• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken and fractured bones
• Internal bleeding
• Sprains
• Soft tissue injuries
• Neck injuries and back injuries
• Burns and lacerations
• Loss of limbs
• Wrongful death
• Birth Injuries
• Class action lawsuits

Determining Liability

Establishing who is at fault is a fundamental part of any personal injury case, especially in car accident claims. In South Carolina, the modified comparative negligence rule applies, which means that your ability to recover compensation is directly affected by your share of fault in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages altogether. This makes it essential to work with a skilled Columbia car accident lawyer who can thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf when dealing with the insurance company. An experienced accident lawyer will help ensure that liability is accurately determined and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses under South Carolina law.

Building a Strong Case

To maximize your chances of recovering compensation after a car accident, it’s important to build a strong and well-documented case. A Columbia car accident attorney can assist you in collecting crucial evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements, all of which are vital for supporting your claim. Promptly seekihttps://www.youtube.com/embed/JrS_opU9zjYng medical attention and following your doctor’s recommendations not only protects your health but also creates a clear record of your accident injuries. Additionally, keeping detailed records of your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage will help your attorney accurately calculate your losses. By working closely with a Columbia car accident attorney, you can ensure that every aspect of your case is thoroughly prepared, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.

Insurance Company Tactics

Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be challenging, as their primary goal is often to minimize the amount they pay out on claims. Common tactics include offering low settlement amounts, disputing the extent of your injuries, delaying payments, or even denying valid claims altogether. This is why it’s so important to have a Columbia car accident lawyer on your side. An experienced attorney understands the strategies insurance companies use and can effectively negotiate on your behalf to secure fair compensation. If necessary, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court to ensure your rights are protected. Remember, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, and a dedicated Columbia car accident attorney will fight to make sure you receive the full amount you deserve for your accident injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

10  Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers FAQ

However, sometimes these accidents in Columbia, South Carolina, can result in disastrous outcomes, leading to not only debilitating injuries and skyrocketing medical bills, but also immense worry about what the future holds for the victim and their family. Car accident victims often face unique challenges and require legal support to recover compensation for their losses.

If you have been harmed in an accident in Columbia, you most likely have numerous questions and concerns about what you need to do, who you need to call, and how you can get the legal help you require.

This blog post will discuss some of these frequently asked personal injury questions, and hopefully provide you the answers you need to get through this traumatic ordeal.

1. What are the most common types of personal injury cases handled by Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers?

Personal injury is a broad term encompassing many types of conduct and accidents. Below are commonly reported personal injuries.

• Motor vehicle crashes: If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger, driver, or pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial losses and injuries. Our firm handles car crash matters and can guide you through every step of your car accident case, from investigation to negotiation with insurance companies.
• Product liability** accidents**: Defective or dangerous products, devices, and equipment can cause severe problems. These product liability cases tend to result from improper warnings, hazardous products, defective medical devices, faulty vehicle parts, and toxic substances. Those responsible for these defective products and equipment can include businesses, individuals, and even governmental entities that designed, sold, or manufactured the defective product.
• Slip and fall incidents: If you are injured because you slipped and fell on private or public property, you may be entitled to compensation. These accidents involve the safety of the environment and whether the property is unreasonably dangerous to others.
• Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse: Each year, nursing homes across the state are alleged to have engaged in practices falling below the standard of care owed to residents of these long-term facilities. The level of care increases with the skill level of the facility and requires at least some monitoring by the facility’s staff and personnel. If you or a loved one feel you have been the victim of inadequate or improper care in a nursing or long-term care facility, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
• Medical malpractice: Medical providers make hundreds if not thousands of yearly mistakes. Some of these mistakes, however, fall below the level of care the provider is required to uphold. When a preventable mistake falling below the threshold standard occurs, and it results in serious injuries, you can seek legal recourse for the harm caused by the error.
• Pharmaceutical malpractice: From overfilling to filling the wrong script to filling an improper dose, pharmacists are responsible for filling billions of scripts each year and make numerous mistakes. If a pharmaceutical mistake, whether based on filling, training, oversight, or management, has occurred, causing injury to you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation.

Discussing your case with our experienced Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers can help you feel supported and can further help you to navigate the complexities of your potential claim.

2. What steps should I take if I suspect my injuries were caused by a preventable personal injury accident?

After you have sustained an injury in Columbia, South Carolina, your next steps may be pivotal in the event of a future legal claim. While every case is unique, consider some of the following steps:

• Contact 911: After a motor vehicle accident or if you have fallen and require immediate medical care, you need to call 911. Reporting the accident to the police is important to create an official record. Police officers and emergency medical personnel cannot provide valuable assistance, but they will typically create reports of their observations of the scene, gather names of witnesses, and provide valuable information for a legal claim down the road.
• Gather evidence: Collect names of potential witnesses, take photos or videos at the accident scene and crash scene, including any skin condition, or images of any visible injuries, any vehicles or devices involved in the accident, any dangerous conditions, weather conditions at the time of the accident, and any other evidence that can show what happened. Obtaining a police report and collecting evidence at the scene can strengthen your claim against the insurance company.
• Witness details: If there were individuals who saw the accident, get their names and numbers. Be sure to identify all parties involved, as their statements can provide crucial evidence regarding liability and who was at fault in the accident.
• Request copies of any documents or information: If a statement was made, or if a video or photographs potentially exist, it may be important to request this information immediately, and in writing, in order to preserve this information for your claim.
• Do not admit fault and stay at the scene: Avoid admitting fault at the scene of a car accident, as it can complicate your claim. Staying at the scene until authorities arrive is important to avoid legal issues.
• Contact an experienced Columbia personal injury lawyers: Contact an attorney as soon as possible following your accident. Once retained, our legal team can get to work investigating the accident, gathering critical evidence, and going after the compensation you deserve for your injury claims.

3. How do I know if I have a valid personal injury case?

The best way to know if you have a viable personal injury case is to contact our knowledgeable Columbia personal injury lawyers. We can set up a free consultation and go over the details of your situation. Our team can help assess the validity of your car accident claim and determine your car accident case worth based on the specifics of your case. Based on the information, we can assess your potential claim and guide in the critical next steps.

4. If I feel fine after my Columbia personal injury accident, do I still need to see a doctor?

Following a traumatic accident, the rush of adrenaline through your body can temporarily reduce the sensation of pain. This can happen even if you suffered significant car accident injuries. Car accident injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it is important to seek medical treatment promptly after a car accident, even if you feel fine. That is why it is critical to get examined by a medical professional. A skilled medical professional is in the best position to determine whether you have sustained any train, and to what extent, including late-onset traumas such as herniated discs or brain trauma.

5. How quickly does my Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers need to file a personal injury claim?

The amount of time you have to file a personal injury case depends on the type of case and the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time that a party has to initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense. If you do not file your lawsuit within this allotted time, you may be barred from collecting compensation. The amount of time can vary: for example, some claims may need to be filed within one year, whereas for other claims, you may have as long as six years to initiate your case.

The nuances in these statutes of limitations is one reason to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

6. What types of damages can I recover if I hire Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers?

If you were injured in a personal injury accident, you can recoverdamages for the harm you endured. These damages can include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages: These are quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses and time out of work. Lost wages compensation covers income lost due to injuries from the accident and any future loss of earning capacity.

They can include:

• Medical bills, including past, current, and future medical expenses (such as ambulance services, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and prescription medications)
• Lost wage,s including past, current, and future lost income if you cannot work due to the injury
• Lost earning capacity
• Rehabilitative service,s including physical and occupational therapy
• Personal property damages
• At-home nursing care
• Household replacement services (such as cleaning services or child care services)
• Other out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages: These losses are more personal and include loss of enjoyment of life and reduced quality of life due to injuries sustained in the accident.

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of a limb
• Loss of reputation
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Humiliation

Pain and suffering damages compensate for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.

Punitive damages: Economic and non-economic damages are referred to as compensatory damages because they are meant to compensate the victim for their losses due to the accident. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not intended to compensate but rather to punish the wrongdoer.

To prove punitive damages, a victim must show that the defendant acted in a grossly negligent, reckless, or careless way. The amount awarded in any one SC case depends on a wide array of factors, including the underlying compensatory damages, and the degree of carelessness of the at-fault party.

When you work with an experienced legal representative, these lawyers can help you figure out what you may be entitled to and help you pursue maximum compensation.

7. Are there factors that can influence a personal injury case?

Even if you are entitled to damages, calculating personal injury compensation is not an exact science. Instead, it involves a complicated process of understanding numerous factors that can affect the value of a personal injury case.

These factors include:

• The type of case and defenses available
• The severity of the injury (does it include a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or head and neck injuries)
• The length and the types of treatments required
• Whether the injuries are permanent
• The ability to work following the accident
• The disruptions to daily activities
• The need for additional services following an accident
• The credibility of the evidence and witnesses presented
• The emotional trauma following the accident
• Where the accident occurred

Discussing these factors with a skilled legal representative can help you understand what elements can affect your case.

8. How long will it take for my claim to be settled if I hire Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers?

Unfortunately, no one can give you an exact timeline of how long your Columbia, South Carolina case will take. Car accident settlements can vary in duration depending on the complexity of the case and negotiations with insurance companies. While many cases settle before ever going to a jury, oftentimes the case must be prepared for a jury trial before the parties can adequately assess whether to resolve the case pre-trial. Thus, the length of time it takes to settle can vary significantly depending on the case’s circumstances.

9. What should I expect if my claim proceeds forward to a lawsuit with Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers?

The Columbia personal injury lawyers at Strom Law Firm have significant experience managing cases both pre-suit and once a lawsuit becomes necessary. If a lawsuit is filed in your case, you may expect to sit for a deposition, and for both sides to exchange information about the case, which can be both positive (i.e., help the case) and negative (i.e., shed light on a defense or issue with your claim). Having strong legal representation and receiving professional legal guidance throughout the litigation process is essential to protect your rights, navigate complex legal issues, and maximize your compensation.

Even before a suit is filed, it is important to operate as though a lawsuit may be necessary at some point. This includes being mindful of social media posts, and your behavior. While every injury varies, and people have good days and bad days during recovery, a good day captured on social media may be used against you at a later date.

10. Why do I need to retain  Columbia personal injury lawyers following my personal injury accident?

Personal injury cases are often complicated, and require a thorough understanding of the state’s laws and regulations. That is why working with an experienced Columbia personal injury attorney following an accident is critical. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney for legal representation is essential to protect your rights, pursue compensation, and navigate the complex legal process after a crash.

These SC attorneys can:

• Go over your case in detail, answer any questions you have, and provide you with the legal options available to you.
• Investigate the incident thoroughly, gather critical evidence, and interview relevant witnesses to establish fault and liability.
• Prepare the strongest case on your behalf, ensuring that motions and legal documents are filed in a timely manner.
• Handle discussions and negotiations with the other side, ensuring your case is treated fairly and with respect.
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation, as insurance companies often try to minimize payouts.
• Bring in the experts, such as accident reconstructionists, economists, doctors, and engineers, to prove fault and damages.
• Take your case to trial if the other side is unwilling to negotiate and fight for the damages you deserve.

If you have been harmed in a personal injury accident, contact an experienced Columbia personal injury attorney today to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Contact the Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers at Strom Law Firm Today

If you have been injured in an accident in Columbia, Richland County, or anywhere else across South Carolina, contact us. We offer free case evaluations and consultations, and we do not collect a fee unless we recover for you. Contact the experienced and skilled legal team at Strom Law Firm in Columbia at or contact us online and find out if we are able to help