Allison Sullivan

December 29, 2017

What Should You Do If Your Dog Bites Someone?

Even a dog that has never shown signs of aggression can end up in a situation where they bite a human being. If you are the owner of that dog, you may find yourself dealing with insurance claims, medical bills, and even potentially litigation as a result of your dog’s actions. What should you do if your dog bites someone? We have a few ideas for how to defuse the situation and what to do next.
November 3, 2017

What Should You Do If You Witness a Car Accident?

There is a vehicle collision in South Carolina every five minutes or so, with injuries occurring about once every ten minutes and a collision fatality occurring about twice a day, according to the SC Department of Public Safety. Do you know what to do if you witness a car wreck in South Carolina? We have a few tips to help you know how to stay safe, assist the people involved, and if needed, provide evidence for the victim’s eventual car insurance claim against the at-fault party. These suggestions do not reflect any letter of the law but are rather meant to act as helpful suggestions. Every car wreck is different, so no guidelines can really be one-size-fits-all. If you have questions that pertain to a specific incident, please feel free to give us a call at (803) 779-7599 or contact us online to request a free consultation. What should you […]
October 26, 2017

5 Safety Tips for Halloween

While Halloween is a holiday favorite for the young and the young-at-heart, trick-or-treating and holiday parties can sometimes be a dangerous mix. October 31st is often a busy day in the emergency room, and it’s one of the top days of the year for car wrecks involving pedestrians under 18. We’re not saying to skip celebrating — by all means, plan that costume party, head out trick-or-treating with your children, hand out candy to every witch, monster, mummy, or cartoon character that skips up to your door. Just follow these 5 safety tips for Halloween (plus one bonus tip at the end!) to help avoid injury and still have a fun holiday!
September 14, 2017

Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Garnished?

If you have been paying child support and become injured or disabled and unable to work, you may be facing a future where Social Security Disability is either your primary or even sole source of income. When you have child support or alimony obligations, this can add a new weight of worry onto your mind — can Social Security Disability benefits be garnished to pay child support? What does this mean for your household income moving forward? Can you work with the child’s other parent through mediation or even in court to modify your child support obligations based on your new SSI or SSDI income? Let’s take a closer look.
August 31, 2017

How Wrecks Involving Tractor Trailers Are Different From Large Truck Collisions

Whether you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, a car wreck that included texting-while-driving as a factor, or someone simply ran a stop sign — there are a thousand ways for a collision to happen while on the road. Some of the most potentially destructive types of vehicle collisions involve semi trucks, also known as tractor trailers.
August 24, 2017

Does South Carolina Use the “One Bite” Rule for Dog Bite Lawsuits?

In an earlier post, we took a look into filing a personal injury lawsuit after a dog bite, including what steps to take immediately following being bitten, and potential legal outcomes. Many states utilize a so-called “one bite rule” when it comes to lawsuits following a dog bite. South Carolina stands apart in this case, as well as in their use of the “provocation defense”. What is the “one bite” rule? Why doesn’t South Carolina use the “one bite” rule, and what is the “provocation defense” in dog bite cases? Let’s take a look.
August 10, 2017

Mediation, Part 2: Direct Negotiation and Assisted Mediation

Last week’s post, “Can Mediation Help You Avoid Going to Trial?“, went over the basics of the mediation process and how it can benefit those looking to avoid going before a judge or jury in a courtroom. Today, we’re going to take a closer look into two types of case resolution— direct negotiation and assisted mediation — how they differ, and how to know which process may work better in your unique situation. Lawsuit mediation is quite often ordered by the court during a lawsuit’s early stages. Even if you are certain that your particular situation will end in court, it’s worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with this particular tool, to ensure you have all the information you need before moving forward.