Dealing With a Personal Injury Matter

Let Our Columbia Personal Injury Attorney Help!

When you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to the fault or negligence of another, it can be extremely stressful. You may be faced with difficult questions, such as whether you can afford your medical bills, how you will make up missed time at work, or what will be done to hold the other party accountable.

At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we assist clients with the full range of legal issues surrounding a serious injury. We always go above and beyond to ensure that injury victims get the support and guidance they need. Our seasoned Columbia personal injury lawyer has been rated 10 out of 10 Superb on Avvo and selected to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers, demonstrating his level of legal excellence.

After an injury, it is important to take the right steps to help ensure that you will obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. At the scene of the accident, you should determine if emergency medical assistance is needed. In many situations, including auto accidents, the police should be called at the soonest available opportunity. Insurance information should be exchanged between the two parties. Contact information should be received also. Your own insurance company can be called, but it is important to not discuss the situation with the other's insurance company until you have discussed the circumstances of the case with a Columbia personal injury lawyer.

At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we believe that it is high priority to get medical attention. We want you to take care of your health and well-being, and we can take care of the legal aspects of your case. If you need assistance locating a doctor, we can guide you in the right direction. You should be prepared to clearly and fully explain all of your symptoms and have them recorded in your medical record.

"Do I Have a Valid Personal Injury Case?"

One of the most common questions we get from clients is on the validity of a case. We understand that it can be confusing and overwhelming to try to pursue legal action after a serious accident and injury, especially when you don’t know what steps to take. From employers and manufacturers to property owners and drivers, claims can be brought against a wide range of parties.

While all injury cases are unique, these are some key elements that must be present:

• You suffered a debilitating injury
• That injury was caused by another’s actions/negligence
• This behavior violated the duty of care the individual owed you

Even if all of these elements are present, you will still need to be able to provide sufficient evidence that will support your claim or lawsuit in court. That is why we make ourselves available 24/7 to provide helpful insight and guidance on what to do after an injury.

Call us now at (803) 359-3301 to get the answers you are looking for.
We can review your case for free!

Who Pays for Medical Treatment

If you are reluctant to have your medical bills paid by insurance, then it is important to have a clear understanding of the situation and know who pays for medical treatment after a personal injury case is settled. We do not want you to feel that it will limit or hinder your personal injury settlement. The answer to this question is not straightforward, but it is important to understand that you are personally responsible for your bills until the insurance company repays.

After an accident, it may seem as if the party at fault is responsible for paying your medical bills, but that is not entirely accurate. It is true that that individual should be responsible for compensation, but the insurance company will more than likely put up a strong fight. The hospital that you went to after the accident will send you a bill that must be paid.

At that point, you have several options, including:

• Pay the bill yourself. If you simply decide to take the matter into your own hands, you can pay the bill with your own money and then seek compensation later. After paying the hospital, you would probably then have to pursue a lawsuit to make the other party pay. This process could prove to be a painful endeavor.
• Have your insurance pay. If you have health insurance, you have the option to have your health insurance company pay the bill. Your bills can be covered immediately, and you will not have to pursue the faulty party on your own. If your health insurance needs to be repaid, they will have to sue the other driver.

Obtaining a Lien

One of our attorneys can help you put a lien on your file. This goes on an accident file and is a right to obtain the damages from the settlement of the personal injury case. We can help you pursue the other party who is at fault. If your insurance company has paid your medical bills, they do not sue the other driver by themselves but often wait until you get a lawyer who executes that process.

If you do not have health insurance, your lawyer can ask the hospital to lien your file. This means that you will continue to receive bills, but you do not have to pay them until your case is settled. The money that they should be expecting from you is held until your case concludes. The hospital can then get paid out of the funds received from the settlement.

Our Columbia Injury Lawyer's Advice to You

After an injury, it is important to take the right steps to help ensure that you will obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. At the scene of the accident, you should determine if emergency medical assistance is needed. In many situations, including auto accidents, the police should be called at the soonest available opportunity. Insurance information should be exchanged between the two parties. Contact information should be received also. Your own insurance company can be called, but it is important to not discuss the situation with the other's insurance company until you have discussed the circumstances of the case with a Columbia personal injury lawyer.

At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we believe that it is high priority to get medical attention. We want you to take care of your health and well-being, and we can take care of the legal aspects of your case. If you need assistance locating a doctor, we can guide you in the right direction. You should be prepared to clearly and fully explain all of your symptoms and have them recorded in your medical record.

Handling a Variety of Injury Matters

Whether big or small, our firm is prepared to take on any type of personal injury case. Our priority is to ensure that our clients get the zealous and incisive legal representation they need to resolve their claims. We are available for morning, evening, weekend, and even hospital appointments. Attorney Snell is ready to review your case and help you determine the next best step.

Do not hesitate to reach out to our firm for counsel regarding:

• Car accidents
• Back injuries
• Insurance claims
• Burn injuries
• Medical malpractice
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Dangerous drug injuries
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability
• Trucking accidents
• Wrongful death
• Workplace injuries

As a native of South Carolina, Attorney Snell is well-versed in handling cases within the state’s legal system. He can use his legal understanding to further your case and help secure a positive outcome on your behalf. Our firm is truly dedicated to providing exceptional and compassionate legal services to our clients. We are here to listen to your concerns and provide honest counsel.

Work with a 10/10 Avvo Rated Attorney!

When you hire us, our Columbia injury attorney goes to work ordering medical records, talking with witnesses, and gathering police statements to strengthen our clients’ cases. We can also consult expert witnesses and professionals to provide additional enforcement. When you work with us, you can have peace of mind knowing a strategic advocate is in your corner. In many cases, we represent injury clients on a contingency fee basis, which means no fee is charged unless we win the case.

Let Us Handle the Legal Aspects of Your Case

Rather than going about your case alone, it is suggested that you enlist the assistance of an attorney who has experience and skill handling such cases. Discuss your case with a Columbia personal injury attorney at our office. It is important to choose an attorney who is adamant about protecting your rights and well-being. Safeguarding your future is the focus of these efforts, and our attorneys can help you protect yourself. Prior to even speaking with the other party's insurance company, it is important to contact a lawyer who is prepared to assist you through your case.

Now is the time to act! Fill out a free case evaluation today.