Call Shaw Law Firm for a FREE CONSULTATIONand speak with an Attorney now. Do not waste valuable time.
Mr. Shaw has represented accident victims in South Carolina for more than 20 years. We have represented thousands of car accident victims. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injuries.
BE PREPARED... Hire someone to represent you and fight for you. Shaw Law Firm is on your side, We are your Good Neighbors and you are in Good Hands with Shaw Law Firm! We are dedicated and committed to work for you and fight for your legal rights.
Because Accidents happen to even the best of drivers, everyone should be prepared to do the right things immediately. Many legal troubles arise after automobile accidents and can be avoided if someone is looking out for their interests. The insurance companies do not represent you and are not looking out for your best interests.
Warning:
Insurance companies want to settle your case as soon as possible – and for as little money as possible. You need time to determine how serious your injury is, what medical treatment you need, how much your lost wages will be and whether you will have a permanent disability or injury. These cannot be determined immediately after an injury. Don’t talk to the insurance company and never give a recorded statement without proper representation. It is crucial to retain a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible to achieve maximum compensation. Do not Sign medical or HIPAA authorizations and especially any type of release. You have a First Amendment Right of Privacy, do not let Insurance Companies go on fishing expeditions against you.
Shaw Law Firm believes that early representation, proper investigation, legal research, and preparing a case for a potential trial as soon as practicable are some of the most important aspects of every case for acquiring higher jury verdicts and maximizing your results. One of the most important factors to acquire a successful result is being prepared and ensuring that a proper investigation is completed on your behalf. Insurance Companies are not investigating this accident for you.
Our lawyers can help you:
- Establish liability by preserving evidence and interviewing witnesses
- Help you understand the law, including statutes of limitations
- Take away all of the stress and burden in dealing with insurance companies
- Ensure you receive the proper medical care and stay in touch with you as you recover from your injuries
- Collect the necessary medical records and help you document your injuries properly so that you receive full compensation
- Negotiate a settlement that takes into account all future medical and financial needs
- Maximize and ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled
Things that Should be done Immediately after an Automobile Accident:
- Call a Law Enforecement Officer
- Obtain Witness names
- Take Notes on the accident and where the accident occurred
- Take as many Photographs as possible
- Remain at the scene if possible
- Acquire the police report and officer notes and photographs
- Submit your FR-10 form to your insurance carrier immediately
South Carolina law requires persons involved in accidents to assist any police officer in investigating an accident by answering questions and discussing the circumstances. Everything you say can be held against you. Do Not Admit or sign anything even if you think you were wrong. You may later learn that you were not at fault or that the other Driver was equally at fault.
Legal Fees:
Shaw Law Firm handles almost all of our automobile accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Contingency Fee means that you pay no money up front and a legal fee is only earned or paid if you win your case or achieve a successful settlement. No Recovery, No Fee. Shaw Law Firm charges the standard one third (1/3) contingency fee based upon the outcome of your case. We are never paid before you collect. If you hire Shaw Law Firm, we execute a retainer agreement and will review the legal fees in detail.
Costs:
In addition to the legal fee, Shaw Law FIrm may advance costs to assist in the prosecution of your case. We are not obligated to advance costs. Costs includes, without limitation costs for obtaining accident reports, driver’s records, medical records, duplication costs, photographs, investigative costs, and travel together with litigation costs including but not limited to filing fees, service fees, charges for depositions, investigators and copying of documents, jury fees and fees for expert witnesses and consultants, and other witness fees. The total costs and disbursements aforesaid shall be subtracted from any recovery obtained in connection with client's claim, before determining the shares payable under the contingency fee agreement provided in section 2 above. Client understands that a client must have an interest in the prosecution of his claim. If you hire Shaw Law Firm, we execute a retainer agreement and will review the potential costs in detail.
What is my case Worth?
Compensation for injury cases vary on a case by case basis. You receive compensation based upon your injuries sustained. Obviously, the more you are injured, the more you should be compensated. Medical expenses, cost of living with a disability, lost wages, repair or replacement to property, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and loss of consortium are a few examples. These are called compensatory damages and are designed to place a victim in the position he or she would be in if the injury had never occurred. By placing a dollar amount on the victim's injuries, compensatory damages seek to restore the victim financially, physically and emotionally. Compensatory damages may be divided into two categories: damages that compensate victims for monetary losses (also known as special damages), and damages that compensate victims for non-monetary losses (also known as general damages).
Pain and Suffering:
In addition to permanent disability, victims often experience substantial pain and suffering and emotional distress, all of which can be recoverable through financial compensation. Damages for pain and suffering typically include compensation for actual physical pain, as well as compensation for emotional distress. Emotional distress is defined as the frustration, fear, anger and loss of enjoyment of life associated with suffering from a debilitating injury. Sadly, many car accident victims never receive the full amount of damages to which they are entitled. Many car accident victims are unaware of the full value of their claims. You do not have to accept what the insurance company offers.
Punitive Damages:
Punitive damages are not designed to compensate the victim, but to punish the at fault person for inflicting the victim's injuries and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages are typically awarded when the defendant's conduct has been especially egregious or outrageous. Punitive damages are not awarded in every personal injury case, and may not be considered unless a compensatory damage award has been ordered. In order to avoid excessive punitive damage awards, courts typically limit punitive damages to less than ten times the amount of compensatory damages. In cases of malicious intent - such as situations where a company knowingly markets products it knows are defective and such defects cause injuries, victims may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Our personal injury attorneys can help determine which damages you are eligible for and can help you build an effective case.
Structured Settlements:
Recipients of large personal injury damage awards may opt to receive the award in the form of a structured settlement. Structured settlements serve as an alternative to lump-sum damage awards. Structured settlements disburse the damage award to the victim on a monthly or annual basis over a certain period of time. There are many benefits to choosing a structured settlement, including reduced federal and state income taxes, and an increased likelihood of recovery from the defendant. Because each victim's financial needs are different, those considering a structured settlement should first consult an attorney as well as a financial planning professional.
Shaw Law Firm will educate you on the process and keep you informed as we go along. Once you hire Shaw Law Firm, we will handle everything except take you to your doctor appointments.
If you feel you are a victim of a preventable injury, or that someone you love has been seriously injured because of another's negligence, call us at 1-866-559-7529 (Shaw) for a FREE CONSULTATION. South Carolina and North Carolina provide a limited window in which to file a claim.
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