Accidents can happen suddenly, catching even the most prepared person off guard. One minute, you may be strolling to a restaurant after a long day at work, and the next minute, someone else's carelessness can change your life forever. Personal injury victims not only endure negligence but also experience pain and worry about their families and ability to work. Often, these victims cannot afford to focus on work and family when they're injured or even clinging to life in an ER. Without a personal injury attorney in Edgefield, SC, to fight for their rights, these same victims provide official statements by mistake to insurance companies. They accept embarrassingly low settlement offers without realizing that they deserve much more.
If you've been hurt in an accident recently, ask yourself these questions:
With 30.21 personal injury cases for every 100,000 residents in South Carolina - 217% higher than the national average - it's not surprising that men and women like you are asking the questions above. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our hearts hurt for victims who are suffering needlessly.
Because, at the end of the day, they're not just hurting physically. They're struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of car repairs, medical bills, doctor's appointments, and loss of income. Fortunately, personal injury laws in South Carolina state that the parties found responsible for your suffering and pain must account for your expenses. With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you have a real shot at getting the compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, consider speaking with our Edgefield personal injury lawyer.
At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our goal is to help accident victims in South Carolina recover the maximum amount for their losses, including damages for pain and suffering. Unlike some personal injury law firms, our expert attorneys know that no two cases are ever exactly the same. That's why we take a personalized approach to each case that comes across our desk.
You can rest easy knowing that your personal injury case starts with a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this initial meeting, we'll review your accident, determine liability, and recommend the best legal course of action for you. Max Sparwasser and his team focus on a range of personal injury categories, including the following:
Injured victims choose Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC because we put our clients' needs first.
Max dedicates focused attention to your claim and is confident that once you've met and talked to him, you will feel comfortable entrusting him with your personal injury case.
Your case is going to be handled personally by Max, properly and professionally. NO FEES are collected unless you are paid benefits.
Now that you know a little bit more about our personal injury law firm and how we take care of our clients, let's take a look at two of the most common types of personal injury cases we take: Car accidents and workers' compensation.
As an experienced personal injury attorney, Max has the right training and legal tools to assist with your compensation claims and your personal injury case as a whole.
If you've ever been in a minor fender bender, you know how frustrating and scary it can be when police are called and insurance companies get involved. Dinging a car is one thing, but a full-on car wreck is a completely different story. A car accident in Edgefield can result in significant expenses such as vehicle damage and medical costs.
If a distracted driver kills your loved one, the impact on your family can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors of car accidents often experience emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these life-changing events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in Edgefield, SC, can maximize your chances of winning your case.
Here's an uncomfortable truth to digest: Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from their tactics by getting the right legal support for your personal injury claim.
When you report a crash to an insurer, they'll assign an adjuster to your case. However, these adjusters deal with many cases and may not fully understand yours. If an insurance claims adjuster contacts you, be cautious. They aren't looking out for your best interests. It's common for adjusters to push for settlements that undervalue your claim.
Stick to the facts if you talk to an adjuster and refuse to provide a recorded statement or agree to any settlement. Instead, wait until you've consulted with a personal injury attorney. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our team of car accident lawyers will assess the true worth of your claim and protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.
When you hire a personal injury attorney in Edgefield, SC, from Max Sparwasser Law Firm, you don't have to know all our state's car crash and insurance laws. We have the expertise, knowledge, and resources to handle any case related to a car accident in the Lowcountry. Our long-time car accident attorneys can handle the legal proceedings for you and provide you with peace of mind during negotiations. With that said, we understand that the more you know about South Carolina's car wreck laws, the better you can safeguard your rights after an accident.
As such, here are three car wreck laws in South Carolina you should understand:
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a "fault" insurance system. This system holds the driver responsible for covering the damages of the injured party if they are at fault for the accident.
If you are in a car accident and it leads to a personal injury claim due to negligence, the court needs to determine that you (the plaintiff) are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you will lose your right to seek compensation. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will receive at least some compensation. Your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
When drivers take the wheel, they bear the responsibility of being careful and attentive to their surroundings. This means watching out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver chooses to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they are failing to do so and are behaving negligently.
Negligence involves acting carelessly, resulting in harm or damage. Other examples of negligence include:
If you've been in a car accident and need help understanding our local laws or the role of negligence in your case, schedule your free claim assessment with the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, today. The sooner you know your rights and file a claim, the sooner our lawyers can advocate on your behalf. Our accident lawyers will uphold your best interests despite pushback from insurance companies and the complex legal system in South Carolina.
While South Carolina's workplace incidence rate was lower than the national average in 2020, tens of thousands of workers were reportedly injured on the job. In fact, private employers in South Carolina reported 29,100 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incident rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. In 2021, the private sector reported 30,300 such injuries and illnesses, leading to an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 workers, many of whom hired.
Public sector employers reported 8,100 injury and illness cases in 2021, with 72 percent occurring among local government workers. Occupational illness trends in South Carolina mirrored those seen nationwide. In 2020, the private sector accounted for 4,200 of the total reported cases, and 3,100 in 2021, showing a 26 percent decline.
Respiratory illnesses made up 79 percent of the total occupational illnesses reported in South Carolina in 2020. In 2021, 89.8 percent of private industry recorded incidents were injuries.
Personal injury attorneys in Edgefield, SC, fought some of the state's biggest employers in court, including brands such as:
While there is no single federal law governing workers' compensation, every state in the U.S. has its own workers' compensation system. This program provides financial benefits to employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Typically, an injured worker can receive workers' compensation benefits without needing to prove their employer's negligence. In exchange, the employee forfeits the right to file a personal injury claim against the employer.
Under the state workers' comp system, an injured employee will be reimbursed for all necessary medical treatment following a workplace accident. If the injury or illness leads to more than seven days of missed work, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Workers may also receive compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The maximum award for death or total disability is 500 weeks of compensation.
Lifetime benefits are available in cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain injury. It should be noted that trying to
In South Carolina, most employees are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury or illness while working. Employees don't need to prove fault; they just need to prove that the injury or illness happened at work or during a work-related activity. Unfortunately, there are exceptions under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act, meaning some employers never qualify for workers' compensation.
Those restrictions apply to:
Employers who fall under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act must maintain the required minimum amounts of workers' comp insurance. If you're trying to pick up the pieces after being injured at work, contact the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC today. Our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the help you need to rebuild your life.
Many injured workers assume they can save money by foregoing a personal injury attorney to oversee their workers' comp claim. In reality, many plaintiffs lose money - or don't get the proper amount they're owed - when they choose not to hire a lawyer. If you were recently injured at work and are on the fence about retaining counsel for your case, keep these facts in mind.
To safeguard your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation, injured individuals must file a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, many people come up with reasons why they shouldn't file a claim before determining whether their claim is valid.
Some of the most common reasons for doing so include:
You should know that making the decisions above doesn't necessarily disqualify you from making a workers' comp claim. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Great workers' comp attorneys - like those at the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC - thoroughly assess your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.
Here's a safely kept secret in the insurance industry: Skilled workers' compensation lawyers create risk. Insurance companies hate risk because it exposes them and causes them to lose money. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer takes on risk by developing the best strategy to maximize your benefits and gathering evidence that will be admissible in a hearing.
Do you truly understand the benefits you're entitled to? Do you know what you need to prove in order to win? Do you know how to effectively present that evidence? This can be quite complex, even for attorneys, which is why an injured employee alone doesn't pose much of a threat to the insurance company. That's why professional help from a qualified attorney is essential in workers' comp cases.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Whether you have been injured in a car accident, hurt at work, or are struggling with another type of personal injury situation, know that our team is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys in Edgefield, SC are insurance claims experts and know how to negotiation and achieve maximum financial compensation. The best part? We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win. That's the Max Sparwasser Law Firm difference. Contact our office today to learn more about personal injury cases in South Carolina and whether or not you have a valid claim.
(WJBF) – Disaster Recovery Centers will be open in Aiken, Allendale and Edgefield counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.The locations are listed below:Aiken CountyAllendale CountyEdgefield CountyAdditional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina a...
(WJBF) – Disaster Recovery Centers will be open in Aiken, Allendale and Edgefield counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.
The locations are listed below:
Aiken County
Allendale County
Edgefield County
Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. To find other center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.
Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.
The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.
FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
For the latest information about South Carolina’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4829.
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. – Aiken and Edgefield counties are still in the recovery process just over a week since Hurricane Helene has passed through the Carolinas.Downed power lines, fallen trees and crushed homes have become a common sight in these communities. Now, people from near and far are coming together to help rebuild and restore what has been lost.Aiken Electric Cooperative’s Community Development Manager, Keyatta Priester, expressed her exhaustion.“I don’t even know what day it is,” sai...
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. – Aiken and Edgefield counties are still in the recovery process just over a week since Hurricane Helene has passed through the Carolinas.
Downed power lines, fallen trees and crushed homes have become a common sight in these communities. Now, people from near and far are coming together to help rebuild and restore what has been lost.
Aiken Electric Cooperative’s Community Development Manager, Keyatta Priester, expressed her exhaustion.
“I don’t even know what day it is,” said Priester, “I haven’t really seen my son in a week. I wake up in the morning and tell him I love him.”
But for Priester, it’s the linemen, the boots on the ground, who are making the biggest sacrifice.
Over 800 linemen from all over the country are helping out to rebuild Aiken and Edgefield’s power systems– crews from as far as Wisconsin and Kansas are working to restore electricity, according to Priester.
In many sections of the area, entire power grids must be entirely rebuilt from the ground up.
Travis Smith, crew leader with Aiken Electric, is one of those 800 linemen working day and night helping to restore power.
“When I go to sleep for four hours, somebody’s working,” Smith said.
And like many of the linemen, he rarely gets to see his family.
“I’m up at 4:30 every morning and I don’t get home till 10:00, 11:00, 12:00… my kids try to stay awake to see me.”
Smith considers himself fortunate to see his family as many of his fellow linemen are staying in makeshift tent cities.
It took two to three days following Helene to fully set up spaces for the linemen to eat, sleep, shower and use the restroom, according to Priester.
Priester shared that those who are not in operations, help out by cooking meals, doing laundry and helping with any necessities the linemen need during their stay.
While the crews are still working to restore power, Smith has a message for those who are still in the dark:
“We’re coming. We’re on the way. I promise you we’re gonna get you back on. It’s just gonna take time.”
While Smith couldn’t provide an exact timeline for when power would be fully restored, Aiken Electric has a live outage map keeping track of restoration efforts.
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. – Aiken and Edgefield counties are still in the recovery process just over a week since Hurricane Helene has passed through the Carolinas.Downed power lines, fallen trees and crushed homes have become a common sight in these communities. Now, people from near and far are coming together to help rebuild and restore what has been lost.Aiken Electric Cooperative’s Community Development Manager, Keyatta Priester, expressed her exhaustion.“I don’t even know what day it is,” sai...
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. – Aiken and Edgefield counties are still in the recovery process just over a week since Hurricane Helene has passed through the Carolinas.
Downed power lines, fallen trees and crushed homes have become a common sight in these communities. Now, people from near and far are coming together to help rebuild and restore what has been lost.
Aiken Electric Cooperative’s Community Development Manager, Keyatta Priester, expressed her exhaustion.
“I don’t even know what day it is,” said Priester, “I haven’t really seen my son in a week. I wake up in the morning and tell him I love him.”
But for Priester, it’s the linemen, the boots on the ground, who are making the biggest sacrifice.
Over 800 linemen from all over the country are helping out to rebuild Aiken and Edgefield’s power systems– crews from as far as Wisconsin and Kansas are working to restore electricity, according to Priester.
In many sections of the area, entire power grids must be entirely rebuilt from the ground up.
Travis Smith, crew leader with Aiken Electric, is one of those 800 linemen working day and night helping to restore power.
“When I go to sleep for four hours, somebody’s working,” Smith said.
And like many of the linemen, he rarely gets to see his family.
“I’m up at 4:30 every morning and I don’t get home till 10:00, 11:00, 12:00… my kids try to stay awake to see me.”
Smith considers himself fortunate to see his family as many of his fellow linemen are staying in makeshift tent cities.
It took two to three days following Helene to fully set up spaces for the linemen to eat, sleep, shower and use the restroom, according to Priester.
Priester shared that those who are not in operations, help out by cooking meals, doing laundry and helping with any necessities the linemen need during their stay.
While the crews are still working to restore power, Smith has a message for those who are still in the dark:
“We’re coming. We’re on the way. I promise you we’re gonna get you back on. It’s just gonna take time.”
While Smith couldn’t provide an exact timeline for when power would be fully restored, Aiken Electric has a live outage map keeping track of restoration efforts.