What to Know About Truslow & Truslow's Personal Injury Practice in South Carolina
Who Truslow & Truslow Are and What They Handle
Truslow & Truslow, Attorneys at Law is a South Carolina firm that represents people injured in accidents and incidents where someone else's negligence caused harm. The firm focuses on personal injury cases—car accidents, workplace injuries, slip-and-fall incidents, and similar situations where you may have grounds to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
The firm operates as a traditional law practice where attorneys meet with clients, investigate claims, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare cases for trial if settlement talks stall. Understanding how a specific firm works—their location, how they charge, what kinds of cases they take—helps you decide whether they fit your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Truslow & Truslow handles personal injury cases in South Carolina, including car accidents, workplace injuries, and premises liability claims.
- Most personal injury attorneys, including those at established firms, work on contingency—meaning they take a percentage of your settlement or court award rather than charging upfront fees.
- Before hiring any attorney, confirm their location, whether they handle your specific type of injury claim, and how they structure their fees.
- South Carolina has a statute of limitations that limits how long you can file a personal injury lawsuit, so timing matters when choosing representation.
- Initial consultations with law firms are often free or low-cost, giving you a chance to ask about their experience and approach before committing.
How Personal Injury Firms Typically Work
When you hire a personal injury attorney at a firm like Truslow & Truslow, the process usually starts with an initial meeting where you describe what happened, show medical records or police reports, and discuss what compensation you're seeking. The attorney evaluates whether your case has merit—meaning whether there's evidence that someone else's negligence caused your injury and that damages are recoverable.
If the firm takes your case, they handle communication with the at-fault party's insurance company, gather evidence, and negotiate a settlement. If no settlement is reached, the firm prepares the case for trial. Throughout this process, you should expect regular updates about your case's progress and any settlement offers that come in.
Most personal injury firms charge on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney's payment comes from a percentage of what you recover—either through settlement or a court judgment. If you don't recover anything, you typically owe no attorney fees, though you may still owe costs like filing fees or expert witness fees depending on your agreement.
What Information to Gather Before Contacting the Firm
Before you call Truslow & Truslow or any personal injury firm, gather basic details about your incident: the date and location, names and contact information for any witnesses, police report numbers if applicable, and medical records showing your injuries and treatment. Having this information ready makes your initial consultation more productive and helps the attorney quickly assess your claim.
Also note when your injury occurred. South Carolina's statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally three years from the date of injury, but there are exceptions depending on the type of claim and whether the defendant is a government entity. If your injury happened years ago, you may still have time to file, but waiting longer makes evidence harder to gather and witnesses harder to locate.
Questions to Ask When You Contact the Firm
When you reach out to Truslow & Truslow, ask whether they handle your type of case. Some firms specialize in specific injury categories—car accidents, medical malpractice, construction injuries—and may refer you elsewhere if your claim falls outside their focus. Ask about their contingency fee percentage, what costs you might owe separately, and whether they handle cases in your county or region of South Carolina.
It's also worth asking about their timeline expectations. How long do they typically spend investigating before approaching the insurance company? How long does settlement negotiation usually take? If your case goes to trial, are they prepared to take it all the way, or do they primarily settle? These answers give you a sense of how the firm operates and whether their approach matches what you need.
Understanding Contingency Fees and Costs
A contingency fee arrangement protects you from paying legal fees upfront when you're already dealing with medical bills and lost income. However, understand what percentage the firm takes and what other costs might apply. Typical contingency percentages range, but the exact amount varies by firm and case complexity. Some firms charge a lower percentage if the case settles early and a higher percentage if it goes to trial.
Separate from attorney fees, you may owe case costs—filing fees, court reporter fees, expert witness fees, or investigation expenses. Ask whether the firm advances these costs and deducts them from your recovery, or whether you pay them as they arise. This distinction matters significantly if your case requires expensive expert testimony or extensive investigation.
When to Seek Representation and When to Wait
You don't need to hire an attorney immediately after an injury, but you shouldn't wait too long either. Insurance companies often contact injured people quickly, hoping to settle for less than a claim is worth. Having an attorney review any settlement offer before you accept it protects you from undervaluing your claim. Additionally, evidence degrades over time—witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets deleted, and accident scenes change.
If your injury is minor and your medical bills are low, you may be able to negotiate directly with the insurance company without an attorney. But if you've had surgery, ongoing treatment, lost significant work time, or permanent injury, representation usually pays for itself through a higher settlement. The initial consultation is your chance to discuss whether your specific situation warrants hiring the firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay Truslow & Truslow upfront?
Most personal injury firms, including those working on contingency, do not charge upfront attorney fees. You pay a percentage of your recovery only if you win your case or reach a settlement. However, you may owe case costs separately depending on your fee agreement—ask about this when you contact the firm.
How long does a personal injury case usually take?
Simple cases that settle quickly may resolve in a few months. More complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability can take one to three years or longer. The firm can give you a better estimate once they review your specific circumstances and the insurance company's initial response.
What if the insurance company denies my claim?
If the insurance company denies your claim or offers far less than you believe it's worth, your attorney can file a lawsuit in South Carolina court. This moves the case into the formal legal system, where a judge or jury can hear evidence and decide the outcome. Many cases settle during litigation even if they didn't settle beforehand.
Can I still hire an attorney if I already accepted a settlement?
Once you've signed a settlement agreement and release, you've typically given up your right to pursue further claims related to that injury. If you believe you settled for too little, contact an attorney immediately to discuss your options, but understand that reversing a settlement is difficult. This is why consulting an attorney before accepting any offer is important.
What if my injury happened in another state?
South Carolina firms may handle cases involving South Carolina residents injured elsewhere, or out-of-state residents injured in South Carolina. Ask Truslow & Truslow whether they handle out-of-state claims or whether they can refer you to an attorney licensed in the state where your injury occurred.