Burgess Personal Injury Lawyers

People suffer accidents every day in South Carolina, including in Burgess and the surrounding area. This includes things like car accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-falls, motorcycle crashes, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, and more.

In many cases, however, the term “accident” is a misnomer, as the incident was the result of someone’s careless or dangerous actions. A drunk driving accident, for instance, isn’t really “accidental” because the drunk driver chose to get behind the wheel while impaired. The same principle is true of many other accidents.

What can you do if you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault? Your best bet is to call Attorney William Luse right away. At the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Burgess, SC, personal injury lawyers have spent more than ten years upholding the rights of accident victims. We can harness our knowledge and experience to help you fight for fair compensation for your injuries. That way you can get the money you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, and more after an accident.

Want to know more? Get in touch with us today by visiting our contact page or calling (843) 839-4795.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

At the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team is equipped to handle many different kinds of personal injury cases, no matter how difficult or complicated they seem. A few of the cases we handle include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Construction accidents
• Bus accidents
• Premises liability cases (e.g., slip-and-fall accidents)
• Dog bites
• Wrongful death cases

If you don’t see your case on that list, don’t worry. You can still get a free initial consultation with our lawyers and find out if you might have cause for a personal injury lawsuit.

How Often Do Serious Accidents Occur in South Carolina?

Major accidents occur in South Carolina, including in Burgess, more often than you might think. Here are a few statistics on some common types of personal injury cases:

• According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there were more than 141,000 traffic collisions statewide in 2019. These crashes led to 58,410 nonfatal injuries and 1,006 deaths.
• SCDPS also reports that there were more than 5,000 accidents in 2019 involving drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leading to 549 people suffering serious injuries and 210 deaths.
• Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions are also common causes of accidents in South Carolina, according to SCDPS. Between these two categories, 240 people died and another 798 people suffered serious injuries in 2019.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries if they’re struck by a vehicle. SCDPS says 25 cyclists died and 46 suffered serious injuries in 2019 after being hit by a vehicle. The numbers are even higher for pedestrians, with 135 deaths and 162 serious injuries recorded in 2019.
• Semi-trucks are a major safety hazard on South Carolina roads. SCDPS reports that about 5,400 trucks were involved in accidents in 2019. This includes 104 trucks involved in crashes with serious injuries and 83 trucks involved in fatal collisions.
• Motor-vehicle crashes aren’t the only cause of serious accidents in South Carolina. Slip-and-fall accidents frequently lead to severe injuries, and many slip-and-fall accidents are caused by negligent landlords. The National Floor Safety Institute (NSFI)  reports about 8 million people are treated for fall injuries at hospital ERs nationwide annually.
• Sadly, nursing home abuse is another common cause of serious injuries in South Carolina. According to NursingHomeAbusesGuide.org, about 2,000,000 nursing home and care facility residents nationwide experience abuse every year. That figure likely underestimates the scope of the problem, as many nursing home residents may have difficulty communicating, making it difficult for them to report abuse.

What Compensation Can You Recover In a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Depending on the cause of the crash and other factors, you may have suffered painful injuries, severe mental trauma, and significant financial losses after an accident. While there’s no way to undo the damage that was done, a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover financial compensation for what you’ve been through. This could include compensation for:

• Medical bills — Between hospital stays, follow-up visits, prescription medications, and other expenses, the medical costs of a serious accident can be a significant financial blow. A lawyer can help you recover compensation for these costs through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
• Lost wages — If you have to miss several days, weeks, or months of work after an accident, that can take a big bite out of your income. You may also lose money if you need to attend follow-up visits with your doctor after the accident. You can recover the value of your lost wages through a personal injury claim.
• Reduced earning capacity — In some unfortunate cases, the injuries from an accident can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. This impairment can make it difficult for you to earn a living, but you can be compensated for the value of your lost future earnings.
• Damaged personal property — Replacing or repairing your vehicle or other damaged property after an accident can be costly. Through a personal injury claim, you can receive compensation for the value of your damaged property.
• Pain and suffering — Although it’s less tangible, the pain from your injuries after an accident is very real. A skilled lawyer can help you make a case to receive compensation for the pain caused by your injuries.
• Emotional distress — A serious accident can lead to severe emotional trauma that may last the rest of your life. This includes mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, suicidal thoughts, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have suffered emotional distress from an accident, an attorney can help you seek compensation for your suffering.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you have three years from the date you suffered your injury to file a lawsuit against any liable parties. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your chance of recovering any compensation through the court system.

How Can a Burgess, SC, Personal Injury Lawyer Help With Your Case?

At the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers, we strongly recommend you get help from a lawyer if you’re interested in filing a personal injury claim. If you’re stuck in the hospital or suffering extreme pain, you’re in no condition to wage a lengthy legal battle. Your better option is to recuperate in peace while you let your lawyer do the grunt work for you.

A personal injury attorney can investigate the accident, identify the liable parties, gather evidence, and submit an insurance claim on your behalf. If the settlement negotiations fail, your lawyer can also bring your case to court to make sure your rights are upheld.

If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we want to hear from you. Call us today at (843) 839-4795, or you can contact us online.