Personal Injury

WRONGFUL DEATH

If your family has experienced the misfortune of a death in the family, and the cause was the negligent or
intentional conduct of another, the dangerous condition of the property of another, or a dangerous product; the
estate and family of that person may be entitled to compensation.

Please contact our offices at any time for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Douglas A. Barker represents clients who have received personal injuries for a variety of reasons; if you have
been hurt in an automobile accident, on the job, by a dangerous product, or by the negligent or intentional
conduct of another, please contact our offices at any time for a free consultation.

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS

Generally, you should not make statements of responsibility or liability following an accident. Good natured
people have the tendency to apologize for an accident, only to have such statements used against them as
admissions of liability or fault. It can be beneficial to contact the police following an accident. But whether
the police respond to the scene of your accident or not, it is helpful to take note of the following:

1. Names, phone numbers and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved;

2. Names, phone numbers and addresses of all witnesses to the accident;

3. License plate numbers and descriptions of all vehicles;

4. Any available insurance information on all vehicles and drivers;

5. The time and location of the accident; and

6. The weather and road conditions.

In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of an accident to bring a lawsuit for damages
arising from another driver's negligence. If you have been in a vehicle accident, please contact our offices at
any time for a free consultation regarding your case.

DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS

Defective Products is an area of law that deals with law suits brought for defectively designed or negligently
manufactured products which cause injury or harm. This area involves home appliances, planes, trains,
automobiles, machinery, and building materials as well as structural defects (bridges, scaffolding, etc.).

Contact our offices for a FREE CONSULATION regarding your case.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Check for injuries. Life and health are more important than damage to vehicles. Leave
vehicles where they came in contact unless they pose a safety risk to other motorists.

If there are any injuries, make sure an ambulance is called.

Get the names, insurers, addresses and license numbers of persons involved in the
accident. If the driver of the other vehicle is not its owner, get the owner's name and
address.

Call the police, even if the accident is minor.

Get the names and addresses of anyone who many have witnessed the accident. This
can prevent disagreement concerning how the accident actually happened.

SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Notify your own insurance company of the accident. Your agent or adjuster can give you
information about repairing or replacing your vehicle and renting a car.

Write detailed notes about the accident noting the exact words of any conversations you
had with the other driver.

If there was significant damage to your vehicle, photograph the damage before it is
repaired or the vehicle is junked. If possible, photograph the other vehicle as well.

If you were injured in the accident, follow up with a competent medical provider.

Do not sign any document unless it is for the police or your insurance agent.

If the other driver's insurance representative contacts you, think twice before giving
them a statement. You are usually under no obligation to do so.

Contact a lawyer who knows personal injury law.