Mt. Pleasant Personal Injury Lawyer

Key Highlights:

• Collaborating with an experienced Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer means that you will be working with a legal team that has nearly two decades of experience in East Cooper 
• Shelly Leeke, the founder of the firm, used to work with insurance companies, so our team has a better understanding of the adjuster’s practices.
• They are able to provide legal services related to a variety of claims, including vehicle accidents, dog bite cases, premises liability claims, and boating accidents.
• They operate on a contingency fee basis so that you will not have to pay attorneys’ fees unless you win your case.

Every person residing in East Cooper can understand the scenario. Whenever there is a collision on the Ravenel Bridge, time in the town has to stop. There will be a traffic jam along Johnnie Dodds even at five o’clock. There will be congestion at Highway 41 and Dunes West. The traffic starts backing up on the Connector during the weekends from May to September. 

If you find yourself injured in these places, keep in mind that you will have to face numerous questions, like who covers health-related expenses? How will you manage to work? Thinking about what an insurance adjuster may ask comes way later.

At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our East Cooper injury lawyers have been helping injured people since 2007. We have an office in Mt. Pleasant and our headquarters in North Charleston. Our team can manage all of the interactions with the insurance adjusters, handle all necessary forms and paperwork, and meet difficult deadlines, allowing you to concentrate on your treatment.

Contact us for a free consultation at (843) 920-5542, and you will never pay us a legal fee unless we obtain a recovery award.

The experienced attorneys at Shelly Leeke Law Firm are here to answer your questions and protect your legal rights.

FREE Consultation »

Where Mt. Pleasant Injuries Happen

Mt. Pleasant, located in South Carolina, is experiencing massive growth and is currently the state’s fastest-growing town. But the Roads in the town have not improved for the last two decades. As a result, in the last five years, Charleston County has recorded 77,357 collisions and 353 fatalities, of which 15,826 collisions, 69 fatal crashes, and 75 deaths were in FY 2024 alone (as per the South Carolina Department of Public Safety). Due to a combination of reasons such as high traffic volume, ongoing construction, and different types of drivers, Mt. Pleasant has several problem areas, including the following ones:

• Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (US-17): About 96300 vehicles travel this 13200-foot long bridge daily, which is famous for its eight lanes and one lane for bicycles. This bridge presents lots of difficulties for emergency services because of limited shoulder space, strong wind, and traffic jams.
• US-17 Corridor & Active Construction: US-17 is undergoing extensive construction, including a project to widen the road from the Wando Crossing to the I-526/Hungryneck Boulevard, as well as recent widening of the Johnnie Dodds Boulevard road. Work zones create frequent lane shifts and temporary patterns that confuse drivers, leading to severe Johnnie Dodds Boulevard accidents.
• Highway 41 (SC-41): As a two-lane, state-owned, arterial road, it serves as a hurricane evacuation route and experiences 13,100 to 22,400 vehicles per day. While the state allocated $130 million for the project in November 2016 through the referendum, plans to widen the road continue to face opposition. As a result of the high vehicle usage on an undivided highway, the highway experiences a high rate of Highway 41 accident Mount Pleasant. 
• Coleman Boulevard, Chuck Dawley & Beach Connectors: SC-703 (Coleman Blvd) connects Shem Creek to Sullivan’s Island via the Ben Sawyer Bridge, while the Isle of Palms Connector serves the area by taking cars to the beach. The routes combine locals accessing their homes with tourists getting to know the area, in addition to numerous pedestrians flocking to the restaurants at Shem Creek.

Mt. Pleasant Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me

(843) 277-6064

The Injury Cases We Handle in Mt. Pleasant

Personal Injury is extensive. The common element found among these scenarios is that a person sustains injuries due to the negligent behaviour of others, which needs to be established rather than assumed.

Motor Vehicle Collisions 

This includes car collisions, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. It covers incidents that have occurred in work zones on the US 17 highway corridor and accidents involving out-of-state drivers on the beaches. More can be read on our Mt. Pleasant car accident lawyer page.   

Premises Liability

These include slip and fall accidents, accidents due to low light in premises, unsafe floors and stairs, and negligent security. Property owners have an obligation of care to people entering the property, but this varies depending on the reason for entering the premises. The “open and obvious” defence is often raised in retail and restaurant cases. More can be read on our Mt. Pleasant premises liability page and Mt Pleasant slip and fall lawyer page.

Dog Bites

In South Carolina, liability is strict. According to S.C. Code § 47-3-110, if a dog bites someone who was either in a public space or lawfully in a private space, the owner or the person having custody of the dog is liable for the incident. A person is not responsible for ascertaining whether the dog has bitten someone before. There are two exceptions for this Clause: provocation as a cause of the attack, and legality of being present. See our Mt. Pleasant dog bite lawyer page. 

Boating and Watercraft Injuries 

Shem Creek and the Wando, Cooper, and Intracoastal Rivers draw a big recreational boating crowd to a small area, especially in summer, which causes numerous boating accidents. That’s why it’s necessary to contact an experienced boating accident lawyer Mount Pleasant so crucial evidence can be preserved. 

Workplace Injuries 

Normally, workers’ compensation is the sole remedy available against the employer due to S.C. Code § 42-1-540, but according to § 42-1-560, a third-party action against a negligent third party remains. Various injuries provide grounds for both a workers’ compensation claim and an injury case against someone other than the employer.

Medical Negligence

In South Carolina, there is an unexpected step before filing suit: the claimant must submit a Notice of Intent to File Suit with an expert affidavit and undergo pre-litigation mediation according to § 15-79-125. Additionally, there is a six-year statute of repose. 

Nursing home abuse and neglect

The effort of protecting defenseless residents of assisted living and long-term care facilities from insufficient care, mistakes with medication, physical violence, malnourishment, or bedsores. See our Mt. Pleasant nursing home abuse page.

Catastrophic Injuries & Complicated Claims 

Working with complicated claims involving catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), faulty products, or wrongful death, which, according to the laws of South Carolina, must be filed by the representative of the estate and not individual family members.

Wondering if your situation qualifies? We will evaluate each case for free and give you a direct response to your question regardless of whether the answer is negative.

We encourage you to reach out to us today for a complimentary, no obligation consultation.

FREE Consultation »

How Fault Is Decided in South Carolina

The state employs a modified South Carolina comparative negligence doctrine. The SC Supreme Court in Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co. (1991) established that claimants can recover damages up to the point at which they are 50% or less responsible. Their compensation will be reduced according to the percentage of their fault. If they are 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover anything. 

One percentage point is the difference between $50,000 and nothing. Thus, insurance adjusters want to pin blame on you as soon as possible. 

Note: Before 1991, South Carolina followed plain contributory negligence principles, which barred recovery for even 1% of fault. Thus, when an adjuster claims that any fault will ruin your case, they rely on the provisions that were repealed over three decades ago. 

What Proves Fault

Reports of accidents or collisions and any related violations, photos of the scene, the hazard, and any car damage, eyewitness accounts and videos of surveillance and dash cameras, info from a car’s black box. In case of premises liability, evidence includes incident reports, inspection logs, complaints prior to the accident, and staffing records. 

Police reports are significant but do not resolve your liability issues. Officers come after the accident and create reports based on information given to them by people, and it can contain errors.  A wrong report is a problem to work on with evidence, not a verdict.

South Carolina’s 2026 Joint & Several Liability Rules (Act No. 42 / H.3430)

For accidents that happen on/or after Jan 1, 2026, South Carolina has made changes to S.C. Code § 15-38-15 relating to the division of financial fault:

• 50% Fault Threshold: A defendant is liable jointly and severally (liable for damages)only if they are found more than 50% at fault. If it is 50 percent at fault or less, it has to pay only the percentage that corresponds to its fault.
• Empty Chair” Blame (Nonparty Tortfeasors): Defendants are allowed to request that nonparty individuals or entities (parties not sued in court) be assigned on the jury verdict form and be held responsible for a portion of the blame. 

Why this matters for your claim and how our lawyers can help you:

• Why we act quickly on your case: It is important to note that defense counsel may attempt to reduce their liability by shifting responsibility for the incident to third parties who are not present. Therefore, our professional team will start investigating your crash as soon as possible and identify those who are responsible for your case before the evidence vanishes.
• Which rules apply to your injury: If your injury happened before January 1, 2026, it means you are covered by the old rules. If it occurred on or after January 1, 2026 or later, the new Act No. 42 of 2025 (H.3430) rules apply. Be sure our lawyers will provide thorough explanations of what it means for your specific date of loss during the free consultation.

For more than a decade, the attorneys at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm have provided injury victims with the support and guidance.

(843) 277-6064

What You Can Recover

Compensation after being injured in an accident because of someone else’s negligence falls into two categories. These categories are meant to restore you financially and to make you whole again.

• Economic Damages (Financial Losses): Medical expenses (including hospital bills, emergency doctors’ bills, doctors’ consultations, surgeries, rehabilitation); the costs associated with future medical care after the accident; lost wages during your recovery period; the costs relating to the lost ability to earn money in the future; and compensation for the property damage.
• Non-Economic Damages (Personal Impact): Physical pain and suffering; mental anguish and emotional distress (including medically corroborated anxiety, depression, and PTSD); loss of enjoyment of life; permanent scarring and disfigurement; physical impairment; and loss of consortium (a spouse’s independent claim for loss of a companion and support).

Understanding Damage Caps in South Carolina

In most personal injury cases, no specific limitation exists on how much one may receive in compensatory damages in South Carolina, although the law does impose strict statutory limits on four specific types of damages. 

Regarding the value of your claim, no personal injury attorney near me Mt. Pleasant is truly able to estimate the value of a personal injury claim without first reviewing your medical documentation, the reports of your treating physician, and the limits of all applicable insurance policies. 

How Long You Have to File

According to S.C. Code § 15-3-530(5), many injury cases that arise in South Carolina must be commenced within three years of the injury occurring. Beyond that, it is likely that the claim would be dismissed in court. 

The three-year South Carolina statute of limitations personal injury is merely the last possible moment to make a claim. Evidence can easily be lost over the span of just a few days. The condition of vehicles can change, and witnesses can move on and forget details. 

Where a Mt. Pleasant Case Is Filed

Mt. Pleasant is in Charleston County, which falls under South Carolina’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Charleston County. The majority of personal injury claims occurring in Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and the adjacent East Cooper area are brought in the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas located in the Judicial Center on Broad Street, which is in downtown Charleston, across the bridge. 

Claims that involve certain federal issues or defendants from outside the state are sometimes filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division. The venue has an impact on the schedule, local legal obligations, and the jury pool where a case will be tried. Your Charleston County personal injury lawyer can guide you further on this matter.

How a Mt. Pleasant Injury Claim Proceeds

 Processing a personal injury claim can be daunting, but there is no need to go through the legal process alone. Our firm will manage your case and advise you on the best approach to follow.

• Free Consultation: You will not incur any costs, and your initial consultation will not obligate you to anything. We will evaluate the circumstances of your case.
• Thorough Investigation: We will collect crash pics and documents and write letters to preserve evidence.
• Protection From Insurers: We will act as a buffer between you and the insurance adjusters who have been bothering you with lowball offers.
• Patience for Full Recovery: We value your claim only after you get MMI, thus avoiding unwanted settlements.
• Evidence-Based Negotiation: We will negotiate your case with the help of documented evidence instead of boring letters of demand.
• Trial-Ready Representation: If the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement, we are prepared to go to trial.

Why East Cooper Clients Choose Shelly Leeke Law Firm

Shelly Leeke Law Firm has been fighting for the rights of injured people in South Carolina since 2007. With its home offices in Mt. Pleasant and throughout the state (find your nearest office), the firm provides 24/7 client support, Spanish-speaking services, and contingency fee pricing.

What makes Shelly Leeke Law Firm unique is that attorney Shelly Leeke defended insurance companies during car accident cases and issues involving workers’ compensation in the past. Because of this experience, we can foresee the strategies used by insurance adjusters, create more compelling cases, and provide our clients with reliable assessments of their cases from the very beginning.

Talk to a Mt. Pleasant Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone close to you has gotten injured in East Cooper because of the recklessness of another person, you do not need to deal with the insurance companies all by yourself. You should talk to a competent Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer who will help you learn about your legal rights and options.

Our legal experts will examine what went wrong at no cost to you and will give you honest advice regarding your situation.

Contact us by calling (843) 920-5542 or by filling out an online contact form to request your free, no-obligation consultation. 

FAQs: Personal Injury Lawyer Mount Pleasant SC!

What does a Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer cost?

You won’t have to pay any funds upfront. We have a policy of charging contingency fees. You do not have to pay any legal fees unless you win the claim. Make sure to check with our office about how the case expenses (like medical records, expert fees, or court fees) will be calculated, whether you have to pay them in a case of a loss, and if the percentage is calculated with or without expenses covered. 

How long will my case take?

Length of time depends mainly on how long your treatment is. We wait until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) to begin assessing the claim so that we can factor all possible future expenses involved with your recovery. In clear-cut cases where medical treatment has been completed, the case can be finalized in a few months; however, cases involving disputes between parties or severe injuries are usually pending for a longer time. Any premature settlement will reduce recovery. 

Who pays medical bills after an accident SC while the case is pending?

The responsible party’s insurance provider does not pay until a settlement is reached. Until then, your health insurance company, MedPay auto coverage, or a medical lien is covering your expenses. But you should be aware that Medicare, Medicaid, as well as the private health insurer may ask for reimbursement (liens) in the final settlement. However, a lawyer can significantly lower those amounts. 

I was hit on the Ravenel Bridge. Does that change anything?

Yes, low stopping distance makes remaining in the vehicle with hazard lights on a much safer option than leaving the vehicle in the active lanes. Because the police are always clearing the accident sites on bridges fast so that traffic can resume, important evidence may be lost. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately contact a Ravenel Bridge accident lawyer, save dashcam footage, and gather witness contacts or information. 

What if I was hurt in a golf cart on Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island?

State regulations in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 56-2-105) have set strict requirements for operating golf carts. Golf cart operators must be 16 years of age and have a license; they must also have registration and insurance from the SCDMV, passing through areas that allow the operation of golf carts only between sunrise and sunset and areas with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. 

The violation of these rules can result in liability. Since carts do not have any structural protection, injuries from Isle of Palms golf cart accidents can be serious even at low speeds. Resolving such claims is not easy for the parties involved; it involves complicated insurance matters among the various policies of rental, home, and auto types.