Auto accidents, workers’ compensation injuries, commercial trucking accidents, and serious injuries all have two things in common; they all happen suddenly, and leave their victims feeling overwhelmed.

Not knowing what steps to take, or what your rights are brings confusion and added stress to an already delicate and detrimental situation. You don’t have to handle it alone, the Law Office of Ernest Cromartie III, LLC is here to give your case the personalized level of attention that it deserves. For starters, we have provided answers here to some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive.

How do I know if I have a legal case?

After you or a loved one are injured and the chaos from the accident scene and emergency room have settled, there are many questions that may be running through your mind. ‘How will I cover the medical expenses from the accident?’ or ‘How will I deal with any loss of income or damaged property?’ are just a few of the stressful questions that surface over and over again. There are many factors that contribute to knowing if you have a personal injury case. The best thing that you can do is to give our office a call at (803) 256-3462 so that we can get the facts about exactly what happened. We understand that you are stressed out, and do everything in our power to remove that stress from you and answer any questions that you may have. Our initial consultation is free, you have nothing to lose – except the stress of trying to figure it all out on your own.

Do I need a personal injury lawyer?

It can be tempting to handle insurance companies on your own, but doing so can prove to be detrimental. Insurance companies have attorneys and experts working for them to minimize their payouts. If the insurance company is asking you for a recorded statement, is offering you a settlement, or is sending you in circles, then you may need legal representation of your own. Remember that we are only a phone call away – having an attorney before you give statements to the insurance company may prove to be an important factor to the outcome of your case.

How much will it cost me to hire an attorney?

At the Law Office of Ernest Cromartie III, LLC we work for you on what is called a contingency-fee basis. This means that our fees are not taken out unless or until your case has a successful verdict or settlement. This means that we never charge a fee unless you get your money.

How much is my case worth?

Whether you decide to settle or to continue with the legal process, the amount that you may be awarded can vary greatly depending on the injury sustained, and the surrounding circumstances of the case and how your life has been affected by the accident. Every accident is different, unfortunately, it is impossible to even give a rough figure without knowing the details of your case. A good lawyer will investigate the details of the case, the medical records, the future expenses and lost wages before giving you an estimated case value. Questions may vary from case to case but some of the questions we usually ask for most injury cases include:

• What type of injury occurred?
• Did your injury result in surgery, or will you need it in the future?
• Are there unpaid medical expenses due to the injury?
• Were you, or are you still, unable to work?
• Did the accident cause you to lose wages?
• How long did, or will, recovery take?
• Is the damage permanent or is there scarring?
• Did anyone witness your accident?

What should I say and/or sign when it comes to the insurance company?

Insurance companies will oftentimes ask you to sign waivers, or to give records for ‘accuracy purposes’. As an accident victim, you have enough on your mind without having to worry about what papers to sign and whether what you say will be used against you later. We advise you to read very carefully over every document that you are asked to sign. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call. You should also consider a well-planned, recorded statement in order to avoid your words being twisted to cause the blame to be shifted to you. If you say the wrong words or sign the wrong papers – even if the accident or your injuries weren’t your fault – your case could be ruined forever. Be careful, and contact us at (803) 256-3462 if you have questions.

How much time do I have to file my claim?

If there’s one thing threatening your successful case, it’s time. Many accident victims are unaware of the statutes of limitations that affect their claims, or the inability to collect evidence after a period of time passes. If you were seriously injured in an accident – a car or trucking accident, slip and fall accident, dog bite, or another type of accident – it’s best to get medical help immediately and contact an attorney right away. The sooner you file your injury claim, the easier it will be to collect evidence for you case. Injuries heal over time and evidence disappears or is destroyed over time. The longer you wait to file an injury claim, the harder it will be to prove you deserve compensation for your injuries.

How can social media affect my case?

Social media has changed life in many ways, and it is very important that you are aware of how what you post on social media may affect your legal case. There is much debate on what is considered to be public information versus private information as far as social media goes. Our suggestion to you is that you should avoid posting information about: your accident or injuries, anyone that you may feel is to blame, the other people or companies involved in your accident, etc. If you were injured at work and are receiving Workers’ Compensation, your employer’s insurance company is allowed to follow you, observe you, and document your actions. That includes watching your social media activity.