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    Two cars collide in a car accident

    Most people in Laurens County rely on personal vehicles to get to school, work, church, and other social and business obligations. While many of us drive just for fun or to relieve stress, getting from point A to point B in rural South Carolina often requires a lot of driving.

    Getting behind the wheel is so common that we rarely think about the risks. However, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, more than 1,600 auto accidents were reported to police in a single year in Laurens County alone.

    Those crashes reportedly injured 38 people and led to 21 tragic deaths. These statistics indicate that car crashes happen regularly and that accidents and injuries can happen to you, too.

    If a negligent driver hurt you in a car wreck in South Carolina, don’t hesitate to call a Clinton car accident attorney from the Joye Law Firm to discuss your rights. Our highly experienced car accident law team is here to help you receive the compensation you deserve following a crash.

    Car Accidents Cause Devastating Injuries

    Cars and trucks typically travel at 60 or 70 miles per hour and weigh thousands of pounds. Motor vehicle collisions involve tremendous force that causes catastrophic injuries.

    Even crashes that occur at lower speeds sometimes leave victims with physical trauma. So, whether you’re cruising at high speeds on I-26 or I-85/385 or traveling the backroads that crisscross the Upstate, you could be at risk for some of the more common serious injuries caused by car crashes. These include:

    • Traumatic Brain Injuries(TBIs) – TBIs occur if you hit your head on another object or if your head jolts back and forth hard enough to cause your brain to hit either side of your skull. These injuries disrupt the way the brain normally functions and can often result in significant and even permanent cognitive, physical, or emotional impairments in more severe cases.
    • Spinal Cord Injuries– Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, involve damage to the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. When the spine is injured, it can result in problems below the injury site, including muscle weakness, numbness, sensation loss, and movement. Some spinal cord injury victims are completely paralyzed below the point where their spine is damaged. Car accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injury.
    • Burns– Many car wrecks involve fires, explosions, or the explosive deployment of airbags. These events can all cause burns that leave victims in significant pain and with permanent scarring. Burns can have many complications, including infection, sepsis, or hypothermia, and burn victims can require extensive treatment.
    • Crushed limbs– Motor vehicles are very heavy and, in the event of a crash, a person can be pinned and have part of their body crushed. The weight of a car can shatter the bones in a limb, and, in some cases, the limb may not be repaired. Medical professionals may have to amputate the limb, which can completely change a person’s life.
    • Neck and Back Injuries– Injuries to the neck and back can have lasting effects on car crash victims. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, disc issues, and other injuries can all affect a person’s ability to work, engage in sports or recreation, or even participate in daily household activities.

    Those are just a few of the injuries that can result from a car accident. Crash victims can also suffer from other injuries and psychological damage. No matter what type of injury you have sustained, please discuss your situation with one of our lawyers so we can learn about your rights immediately.

    Helping Car Accident Victims Recover

    Most occur because at least one party acted negligently. Some examples of negligent behaviors that can cause a collision include:

    There are many other ways another driver or a company can be negligent and contribute to the cause of a car accident. We can help you determine who should be held responsible and how much compensation you can seek from the negligent party.

    Car accident victims may be able to recover for many different losses, including:

    • Past medical expenses incurred from the collision
    • The cost of future medical treatment
    • Lost wages, overtime, and benefits from missing work during your recovery
    • Estimated future wages if you need more time off work
    • Lost earning power if your injury prevents you from ever returning to your job
    • Physical pain and suffering that you experienced due to your injuries
    • Emotional distress from the trauma of the car accident due to your injuries
    • Permanent disability or disfigurement
    • Loss of the ability to enjoy life as fully as you did before your injury
    • Punitive damages if the person who caused the collision acted intentionally or egregiously

    Our legal team will work diligently to help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and losses. How much you can recover depends on the details of your specific case.

    How to Hire the Best Car Accident Attorney

    Hiring a personal injury attorney you trust to protect your legal and financial future is complicated. Think about these topics before you make your choice:

    • Make sure you feel safe telling a lawyer the details of your injuries. Information about how a crash has altered your life is critical to recovering a high settlement offer.
    • Does the attorney provide clear, transparent communication?
    • Can you speak directly with your lawyer, not office staff and administrators?
    • Do you feel your lawyer created a personalized strategy for you and your car accident?
    • Does the law office have multiple 5-star reviews and exceptional testimonials?
    • Does the firm offer free consultations and same-day appointments?
    • Does the attorney hold leadership positions in legal organizations, indicating they’ve secured the respect of their peers?
    • What awards or honors has the attorney earned?
    • Ask, “Have you handled a case like mine before? If so, what was the result?”

    The most important thing is to ensure you feel comfortable, that your law firm values you, and that your case matters.

    What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in the Upstate?

    Some types of vehicle accidents are more common than others. Here are some common types in the Clinton area:

    • Rear-End Collisions: These occur when one car hits the back of another, often because of tailgating or sudden stops.
    • T-Bone Collisions: Side-impact collisions occur when the front of one car hits the side of another. Typically, this occurs at intersections which is one of the most common locations for a car crash.
    • Sideswipe Collisions: These occur when the sides of two cars scrape against each other. They happen most often when changing lanes without checking blind spots, or when a driver simply drifts unaware into the wrong lane.
    • Single-Vehicle Crashes: These occur when a car crashes without involving another vehicle. They can happen due to speeding, distracted driving, bad weather, poor road conditions like potholes, or problems with the vehicle itself like a blown tire. They are very common, with NHTSA indicating that 30.8 percent of 5,471 studied crashes were single-vehicle.
    • Multi-Vehicle Pileups: These occur when multiple cars crash into each other, often on highways or freeways. They result from chain reactions caused by one initial collision.
    • Pedestrian Accidents: These occur when a car hits a person, often taking place at crosswalks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in its latest annual count that 113 of 828 people (13.3 percent) who died in car accidents in South Carolina were on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting, or lying down near or on a roadway.
    • Head-On Collisions: These accidents occur when the front ends of two cars hit each other. They are usually severe and happen due to factors like distracted driving or driving under the influence.

    How Does the Legal Process for a Car Accident in South Carolina Work?

    The process for every car accident generally goes as follows:

    • Seek medical attention: Put your well-being first and get medical treatment for your injuries.
    • Hire an attorney: Consult an experienced car accident attorney to guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
    • Investigation: Your attorney gathers evidence, including police reports, witness statements, medical records, and professional opinions, to build your case.
    • Insurance claim: Your attorney talks to the insurance companies and attempts to negotiate a fair settlement.
    • File a lawsuit: If you can’t settle, your attorney will file a lawsuit in the appropriate court.
    • Discovery: Both parties exchange information and evidence, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.
    • Pre-trial motions: Attorneys may file motions to resolve some issues before trial, such as dismissing the case or excluding evidence.
    • Settlement negotiations: Settlement discussions may continue throughout the process. Many cases are settled before trial.
    • Trial: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our attorneys will take your case to trial, where a judge or jury listens to evidence and renders a verdict.
    • Appeal: If either party dislikes the outcome, they may appeal to a higher court.

    Statute of Limitations in South Carolina

    For a car accident in South Carolina, the statute of limitations depends on the type of claim:

    1. Personal Injury: 3 years from the date of the accident
    2. Property Damage: 3 years from the date of the collision
    3. Wrongful Death: 3 years from the date of death

    These time limits are generally strict, and failing to file a claim within the specified period typically means you lose your right to sue for damages related to the crash.

    Some rare exceptions may toll (pause) the statute of limitations, such as if the injured person was a minor at the time of the collision or if the defendant left the state for a period after the wreck. In other cases, like those involving a governmental entity, the timeline is shorter. If you’re dealing with a car accident case in the Upstate, consult a local attorney immediately to ensure you meet all deadlines.

    Call Our Upstate Car Accident Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today

    Car crashes are stressful, and the scene is chaotic. Many victims continue to experience the effects of a car accident for years due to their injuries–or even for the rest of their lives.

    At the Joye Law Firm, our car accident lawyers help injured victims in Clinton and surrounding areas recover from their losses. We are here to guide you through the entire legal process and will always fight to get you the most compensation possible.

    We provide individualized representation and consider our clients part of our law firm family. You can trust that we will stand up for your rights at every step so that you can focus on your physical recovery. To learn more about how our dedicated team can help you in your case, please call our office at (888) 324-3100 or contact us online as soon as possible. Please note: consultations at our Clinton office are available by appointment only.

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