Attorney Charleston, South Carolina - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need an attorney?
How much will the Bostic Law Firm charge?
How will you evaluate my case?
What if I am not able to come to your office?
Are you available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Will I have to go to court?
Who may bring an action for damages in a personal injury case?
How much money is my case worth?
How long do I have to bring a case?
Should I get a second opinion if an attorney thinks I do not have a case?
I was injured in an auto accident and the other party does not have insurance. Now what?
An insurance adjustor wants to settle and says I do not need lawyer. Should I get one?
Does the Bostic Law Firm handle other types of cases in addition to personal injury?
Will my insurance rates go up if I pursue a claim or obtain a recovery?

How do I know if I need an attorney?

If you or a family member experiences an injury, you can benefit from speaking to a South Carolina personal injury lawyer at the Bostic Law Firm. Often the insurance company for the person who caused the injury will try to settle with you before you have an opportunity to retain an attorney. The reason for this is that the insurance company knows it can probably settle the case for less money if you do not have a lawyer. We will investigate your case and obtain the necessary witness statements, documents, photographs, and other materials to protect your rights.

How much will the Bostic Law Firm charge?

For injury cases, there is no charge for your first visit or telephone call. All your questions will be answered and there is no obligation.   We do not charge a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you. We usually advance costs for investigators, experts, filing fees and other expenses associated with obtaining the maximum recovery possible.

How will you evaluate my case?

For auto accidents, the evaluation process may be simple, but what if you have a complicated medical issue?  How do you know if the undesirable result is actually the result of someone else’s misconduct?  Our attorneys and staff are experienced with the process and will give you an honest evaluation of whether or not you have a case based on the facts.  This requires a thorough evaluation of your medical record.  If the initial review indicates there has been negligence or intentional misconduct on someone else’s part, we will also have the record reviewed by an expert in the appropriate field.

What if I am not able to come to your office?

In the event your injury prevents you from traveling to our office, a lawyer from the Bostic Law Firm will meet with you at your house, the hospital, or any meeting place you designate.

Are you available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Yes.  Our law firm is staffed in such a way that our attorneys can be reached 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Will I have to go to court?

If the insurance company for the person who caused the injury is willing to volunteer a fair settlement, you do not have to bring a lawsuit in order to obtain a recovery.  We are skilled at negotiating settlements without filing a lawsuit.  In the event the insurance company is not willing to negotiate fairly, we will then proceed with filing a lawsuit if you so desire.  We will discuss whether or not it is necessary for you to go to court when the issue arises.

Who may bring an action for damages in a personal injury case?

A competent adult, who is over the age of 18 and injured, must bring the lawsuit in their name. A minor or an incompetent adult must have suit brought by either their parents or a court-appointed guardian.

How much money is my case worth?

No attorney can tell you what a case is worth during a consultation.  The value of your case will be determined through the negotiations process or by a jury.  We examine all of the conditions surrounding your case in order to make a demand – this is the amount that we will ask the Defendant or the insurance company to pay for your injuries. These conditions include how the accident happened, what injuries you suffered, future medical problems, the amount of medical expenses and lost income, as well as future medical costs and future loss of income. We study every detail so that we can get you the money you deserve for your injuries.

How long do I have to bring a case?

You must file your case within the Statute of Limitations, a fixed period of time dictated by the law.  In many injury cases you are required to bring your case within two or three years from the date of the event that caused the injury.  For an explanation of these time limits, always consult with a lawyer experienced in these matters.

Should I get a second opinion if an attorney thinks I do not have a case?

Yes. Different lawyers will see a potential case differently. Some lawyers may not be familiar with the type of case you have.  If a lawyer rejects your case, it is always a good idea to seek a second opinion.

I was injured in an auto accident and the other party does not have insurance. Now what?

Unfortunately, even though the law prohibits driving without insurance, there are a number of accidents each year caused by uninsured drivers.  This does not necessarily preclude you from recovering against the driver although it may make more difficult.  An attorney can help you investigate whether the other driver has assets available to pay for your claim.

An insurance adjustor wants to settle and says I do not need lawyer. Should I get one?

Remember whom the adjustor works for: an insurance company. They have one goal: to settle your case for the least amount of money possible. What may seem like a fair offer to you could fall far short of any amount of money settled through a lawyer. It is a good idea to consult with an attorney at the Bostic Law Firm before accepting any offer made to you by an insurance company.

Does the Bostic Law Firm handle other types of cases in addition to personal injury?

Yes.  We have decades of experience in handling various types of claims in addition to claims involving personal injury or death.  We are actively representing individuals and businesses that have suffered economic losses as a result of trade violations, breaches of contract, and other improper and illegal activities.  We also work closely with other attorneys who practice in specific areas of the law where we may not.  If your specific case is not the type of case we handle, we can certainly put you in touch with a respected attorney to assist you and evaluate your case.

Will my insurance rates go up if I pursue a claim or obtain a recovery?

No. Based on the information insurance agents and insurance carriers provide us, simply because an injured person pursues a claim does mean that their insurance premium will be increased. It is when a person's negligent or wrongful acts cause injury that their own insurance premiums are increased.