Key Takeaway: Most South Carolina personal injury cases take months, not weeks, and some can last a year or more depending on medical treatment, insurance negotiations, and whether a lawsuit is filed. Patience during treatment and negotiation often leads to a more accurate picture of your injuries—and a stronger settlement.
Injured people in Garden City and Murrells Inlet should consider calling a local personal injury lawyer early in the process, especially if injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or the insurance company starts delaying, denying, or pressuring them to settle quickly.
Why timelines matter in South Carolina injury cases
When someone in Garden City or Murrells Inlet is hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, or other accident, one of the first questions is, “How long will this take?” Understanding the basic stages of a South Carolina personal injury case helps manage expectations, reduce stress, and prevent costly mistakes.
Each case is different, but most follow a similar path: medical treatment and documentation, investigation and claim setup, negotiation, and if necessary, filing a lawsuit and going through litigation.
FAQ: Is there a “normal” length of time for a personal injury case?
There is no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. Minor cases with clear fault and straightforward treatment may settle in a few months, while more serious or disputed claims can take a year or longer, especially if they go to court. The severity of your injuries and how long you need treatment are major factors.
Step 1: Immediate aftermath (days to a few weeks)
The timeline starts the moment the accident happens. In the first days and weeks, the focus should be on safety, medical care, and preserving evidence.
Typical events in this stage:
Emergency medical care and follow‑up visits.
Reporting the accident to law enforcement (for car crashes) or to property owners/managers (for falls or other incidents).
Notifying your own insurance company.
Gathering photos, witness information, and basic accident details.
This is also when many people first start thinking about whether they need a personal injury attorney.
When to consider calling a lawyer at this stage
You suffered more than very minor injuries or are unsure how serious they are.
The other driver or property owner is blaming you.
An insurance company is already calling and asking for statements or releases.
An early consultation helps protect your rights and keeps you from saying or signing something that could weaken your claim.
FAQ: Do I have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company right away?
You usually do not have to give a detailed or recorded statement immediately, and it is often better to speak with a lawyer first. You can provide basic information (like your name and contact info) but should avoid describing your injuries or how the crash happened in detail without guidance.
Step 2: Active medical treatment and recovery (weeks to months)
Medical treatment is often the longest part of a personal injury timeline. Doctors need time to diagnose injuries, recommend treatment, and see how your body responds.
This stage may include:
Follow‑up visits with your primary doctor or urgent care.
Referrals to specialists such as orthopedists, neurologists, or physical therapists.
Imaging like X‑rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
Physical therapy, injections, or even surgery in serious cases.
From a legal standpoint, this phase is critical because your medical records and treatment history form the backbone of your claim.
Why patience here can increase settlement value
If you settle before you finish treatment or reach “maximum medical improvement” (the point where your condition has stabilized), you risk undervaluing your case. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot go back to ask for more money if new problems appear.
When to consider calling a lawyer at this stage
Your injuries are not improving, or new symptoms are showing up.
Medical bills are piling up, and you are missing work.
The insurance company is minimizing your injuries or suggesting they are “pre‑existing.”
A lawyer can help coordinate records, track damages, and push back when an insurer tries to downplay the seriousness of your injuries.
FAQ: Do I have to wait until I am 100% better to start a claim?
No. A claim can be opened while you are still treating, but careful attorneys usually wait until your condition is better understood before making a final settlement demand. In some cases, they may obtain a doctor’s opinion about your future medical needs and limitations.
Step 3: Investigation and claim building (overlapping weeks to months)
While you are treating, a personal injury attorney (if you have one) will typically investigate and build your case. Even if you try to handle things on your own at first, this work still needs to be done.
Key tasks in this stage:
Obtaining police reports or incident reports.
Collecting photos, videos, and witness statements.
Requesting and reviewing medical records and bills.
Verifying lost wages and other financial losses.
Analyzing insurance policies and available coverage.
In South Carolina, the strength of the evidence will influence both how much the insurance company is willing to offer and how long it takes to reach a reasonable number.
When to stop handling it alone
If the investigation reveals disputed liability, multiple vehicles or parties, or questions about how the accident happened, the case becomes more complex. At that point, having a lawyer who understands South Carolina law and local courts in areas like Garden City and Murrells Inlet can be crucial.
FAQ: Can I just send the bills to the insurance company myself?
You can, but insurance adjusters are trained to look for gaps, inconsistencies, and reasons to pay less. They may cherry‑pick parts of your records or argue that certain treatment was unnecessary. A well‑prepared demand package tells the full story of your injuries and losses.
Step 4: Demand and negotiation (often a few months)
Once treatment has stabilized enough to understand your long‑term outlook, your attorney will usually prepare a settlement demand. If you are handling your own claim, this is when you would send a written demand to the at‑fault party’s insurer.
A strong demand letter typically includes:
A clear summary of how the accident happened and why the other party is at fault.
A description of your injuries, treatment, and current condition.
An itemization of medical bills, lost wages, and other economic losses.
A discussion of pain and suffering, limitations, and impact on your daily life.
A specific dollar amount requested for settlement.
The insurance company will review the demand, assign or confirm an adjuster, and respond with an offer, a request for more information, or sometimes a denial.
How long negotiation can take
Negotiations can be quick if liability is clear and injuries are well documented, or they can stretch over several months if the insurer disputes fault, challenges medical treatment, or makes low offers. Multiple rounds of offers and counteroffers are common.
FAQ: Should I accept the first settlement offer?
Almost never. First offers are typically much lower than the true value of the claim. A careful evaluation of your medical records, future needs, and total damages is important before accepting any settlement.
Step 5: Filing a lawsuit (when settlement is not enough)
If negotiations stall or the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, the next step may be filing a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina court. This does not mean the case will definitely go to trial, but it does move the dispute into a formal legal process.
Important timing point: South Carolina has a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for filing most personal injury lawsuits. If you miss that deadline, you can lose your right to pursue your claim in court. Because calculating these deadlines can be tricky, it is smart to consult an attorney well before you think time might run out.
What changes once a lawsuit is filed
A formal complaint is filed and served on the defendant.
The defendant (and their insurer) hires a defense lawyer.
Deadlines and schedules are set by the court.
At this stage, having an experienced personal injury attorney is extremely important. Navigating pleadings, court rules, and legal strategy is not something most people should try alone.
FAQ: Can I still settle after filing a lawsuit?
Yes. Most personal injury lawsuits eventually settle before trial. Filing suit often shows the insurance company that you and your lawyer are serious, which can lead to more realistic settlement discussions.
Step 6: Discovery and pre‑trial process (several months or more)
After a lawsuit is filed, the case enters discovery, where both sides exchange information and evidence.
Discovery may involve:
Written questions (interrogatories) and document requests.
Depositions, where witnesses and parties answer questions under oath.
Independent medical examinations requested by the defense.
Motions and hearings on evidentiary or legal issues.
This phase can take many months depending on court schedules, how many parties are involved, and whether experts (like accident reconstructionists or medical specialists) are needed.
Settlement opportunities during discovery
Cases often settle during or after key discovery events, such as depositions or court rulings that clarify issues. Mediation—where a neutral third party helps the sides negotiate—is also common and can result in a settlement before trial.
FAQ: Do I have to go to every court hearing?
You may need to attend your own deposition, mediation, and trial, but many procedural hearings can be handled by your lawyer without you physically being there. Your attorney will tell you when your presence is required.
Step 7: Trial and post‑trial (if necessary)
If the case does not settle, it proceeds to trial. Trials can last from a day to several days or longer, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses.
During trial:
Both sides present evidence and call witnesses.
You may testify about how the accident happened and how your injuries affect your life.
The jury (or judge in a bench trial) decides liability and, if appropriate, the amount of damages.
Even after a trial, there can be post‑trial motions or appeals, which extend the timeline further. However, most Garden City and Murrells Inlet injury cases resolve before reaching this point.
FAQ: Will going to trial always get me more money?
Not necessarily. Trials involve risk for both sides. A jury could award more than the last settlement offer—or less, or even nothing. Your attorney’s job is to help you weigh the risks and benefits of settling versus going to trial based on the specific facts of your case.
Simple timeline graphic concept
For the blog layout, consider a clean horizontal or vertical graphic labeled something like “Typical South Carolina Personal Injury Case Timeline” with these stages:
Accident & Immediate Care (Days–Weeks)
Medical Treatment & Recovery (Weeks–Months)
Investigation & Claim Building (Overlaps Treatment)
Demand & Negotiation (Months)
Lawsuit Filed (If Needed)
Discovery & Mediation (Months–Year+)
Trial or Settlement
You can visually highlight decision points with icons:
“Call a Lawyer?” icons at Steps 1–3.
“Settle or Sue?” icon between Steps 4 and 5.
This helps readers quickly see where their case might be and when professional legal help is especially important.
When to call a Garden City personal injury lawyer
Some smaller claims can be handled without a lawyer, but many injured people benefit from professional help, especially in coastal communities where tourism, seasonal traffic, and complex insurance issues can complicate cases.
Strong signals you should call a local attorney like Dave Mason include:
You suffered significant injuries, ongoing pain, or permanent limitations.
You missed work or cannot return to your old job.
Fault is disputed, or multiple vehicles or parties are involved.
The insurance company is denying liability, delaying, or making low offers.
You are feeling overwhelmed by paperwork, bills, and calls from adjusters.
A Garden City‑based personal injury lawyer understands local roads, traffic patterns, courts, and juries, and can guide you through every stage of the timeline—from first consultation through settlement or trial—so you can focus on healing while your case moves forward.
