Hayes & Hayes: A South Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm

Who Hayes & Hayes Are and What They Handle

Hayes & Hayes is a personal injury law firm based in South Carolina that represents people injured in accidents, workplace incidents, and other situations where someone else's negligence caused harm. The firm handles cases involving car accidents, truck collisions, slip-and-fall injuries, workplace accidents, and wrongful death claims. They work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees—the firm collects a percentage of any settlement or judgment only if your case succeeds.

The firm operates within South Carolina's civil court system and state personal injury law. Their attorneys handle the legal work of investigating your claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if settlement talks don't resolve your case. They also manage the paperwork and deadlines required by South Carolina law, which has specific time limits for filing injury claims.

Key Takeaways

• Hayes & Hayes works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they recover money for you through settlement or court judgment.
• The firm handles multiple injury types including vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, and slip-and-fall claims across South Carolina.
• South Carolina law sets strict time limits for filing personal injury claims, typically three years from the date of injury.
• An initial consultation with Hayes & Hayes can help you understand whether your situation has a viable claim and what the process involves.
• The firm manages all communication with insurance companies and handles court filings on your behalf.

How the Contingency Fee Model Works

Under a contingency arrangement, Hayes & Hayes advances the costs of your case—investigation, expert witnesses, court filing fees, and other expenses—without asking you to pay anything upfront. If the firm wins your case or reaches a settlement, they take a percentage of what you recover. If they don't win, you owe them nothing, though you may still be responsible for certain court costs depending on your case agreement.

This structure means the firm's financial incentive aligns with yours: they only make money if you do. Before signing any agreement, you should understand exactly what percentage they will take and what costs you might owe separately. Ask for this in writing so there are no surprises later.

What Happens During a Personal Injury Case

After you contact Hayes & Hayes, the process typically begins with an initial consultation where an attorney listens to what happened, reviews any documents you have (police reports, medical records, insurance information), and explains whether your situation appears to have a valid claim under South Carolina law. This conversation is usually free and helps both you and the firm decide whether to move forward together.

If you hire the firm, they will investigate your injury—gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical records, and sometimes working with expert witnesses to establish how the injury happened and what it cost you. Hayes & Hayes then contacts the at-fault party's insurance company to present your claim. Many cases settle during this negotiation phase. If the insurance company won't offer fair compensation, the firm can file a lawsuit and take your case to court, where a judge or jury decides the outcome.

Throughout this process, South Carolina law sets deadlines you must meet. The most important is the statute of limitations: you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to sue, so contacting a firm early matters even if you're not ready to move forward immediately.

Types of Injuries Hayes & Hayes Handles

The firm represents people injured in vehicle accidents—cars, trucks, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. These cases often involve disputes over who caused the crash and how much medical treatment cost. Hayes & Hayes also handles workplace injuries, including situations where an employer or coworker's negligence caused harm, and slip-and-fall claims when a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions.

Wrongful death claims are another area the firm handles. If someone dies because of another person's negligence, surviving family members may have the right to recover damages. Hayes & Hayes can explain whether your family's situation qualifies and what compensation might be available.

What You'll Need to Bring to Your First Conversation

Gather whatever documents relate to your injury: a police report if there was an accident, photos of the scene or your injuries, medical records and bills, insurance information for the at-fault party, and any written communication with their insurance company. You don't need everything organized perfectly—the firm's staff can help sort through what you have—but having these items ready speeds up the process.

Also be prepared to describe what happened in your own words: when and where the injury occurred, what you were doing, how the other person's actions caused your harm, and what injuries or losses you've experienced since. Write down any details you remember while they're fresh, because memory fades over time and those details can matter in your case.

Understanding South Carolina's Personal Injury Laws

South Carolina follows a legal principle called comparative negligence, which means if you were partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover damages—but the amount is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $10,000, you would recover $8,000. However, if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover anything under South Carolina law.

The state also caps certain types of damages in specific situations, particularly in medical malpractice cases. Hayes & Hayes can explain how these rules apply to your particular injury and what they mean for your potential recovery. Understanding these limits helps you set realistic expectations about what your case might be worth.

When to Contact Hayes & Hayes

The best time to contact the firm is as soon as possible after your injury, even if you're still receiving medical treatment or unsure whether you want to pursue a claim. Early contact doesn't obligate you to hire them, but it ensures you don't accidentally miss South Carolina's three-year filing deadline. The firm can also advise you on how to protect your claim while you're still healing—for instance, by documenting your injuries and keeping records of medical visits and expenses.

If you've already been dealing with an insurance company on your own and feel like you're not getting fair treatment, that's also a good time to reach out. Hayes & Hayes can review any settlement offers you've received and advise whether accepting makes sense or whether pursuing a lawsuit might recover more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire Hayes & Hayes?

There is no upfront cost. Hayes & Hayes works on contingency, meaning you pay a percentage of your recovery only if the firm wins your case or reaches a settlement. The exact percentage should be explained in writing before you sign any agreement. If the case doesn't succeed, you owe the firm nothing, though you may be responsible for certain court costs depending on your contract.

How long does a personal injury case usually take?

Simple cases that settle quickly may resolve in a few months. More complex cases or those that go to trial can take a year or longer. Hayes & Hayes can give you a better timeline after reviewing your specific situation, but the firm cannot control how fast the insurance company responds or how quickly the court schedules a trial.

What if the at-fault party doesn't have insurance?

South Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone does. Hayes & Hayes can explore other options, such as suing the uninsured person directly, using your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it, or pursuing a claim against a business or property owner's insurance if the injury happened on their premises. The firm will explain what's possible in your case.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?

Yes. South Carolina's comparative negligence law allows you to recover even if you were partly responsible, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Hayes & Hayes can discuss how this rule might affect your specific case.

What's the difference between a settlement and going to trial?

A settlement is an agreement where the other party's insurance company pays you a set amount to end the claim without going to court. A trial means a judge or jury hears evidence and decides the outcome. Settlements are faster and more predictable; trials take longer but can result in larger awards if the jury agrees with your case. Hayes & Hayes can advise which path makes sense for your situation.