Car accidents involving injuries occur every 14 minutes in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Many people sustain injuries in crashes as a consequence of the carelessness or negligence of other drivers. Some suffer lasting disabilities and loss of qualify of life.
At Joye Law Firm, our caring attorneys understand the disruption a serious car accident causes and the far-reaching consequences it can have. We have helped many injured people in Summerville and across South Carolina rebuild their lives after serious injuries. Our legal team is dedicated to helping accident victims seek just compensation and accountability from those who harmed them.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Summerville car accident, we can review your legal rights and help you understand your options during a free, confidential consultation. Call us today at (888) 324-3100 or contact us online to discuss your case with a knowledgeable Summerville car crash injury lawyer.
Car Accidents in Summerville
Summerville car crashes are all too common. Knowing how they happen can help you avoid them.
The following are some of the most common types of car accidents:
- Rear-end accidents – Rear-end collisions happen when drivers fail to leave enough room to stop if the car ahead stops suddenly. Rear-end collisions often occur because a driver is following too closely and is distracted, speeding, or inattentive to traffic ahead.
- Head-on collisions – Head-on collisions are among the most devastating types of car accidents because the impact is magnified by the speed of converging vehicles. Head-on crashes frequently cause severe or fatal injuries. A head-on collision may occur as a result of a driver crossing into an oncoming lane of traffic due to distraction, drowsiness, unfamiliarity with traffic patterns, or intoxication.
- Sideswipe accidents – A sideswipe accident involves the side of one vehicle striking the side of another vehicle traveling parallel to it. Improper lane changes, driver impairment, failure to check blind spots, and failure to signal turns can all cause sideswipe collisions.
- T-bone crashes – A broadside or T-bone crash occurs when the front end of one vehicle runs into the side of another. T-bone crashes commonly occur at intersections when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way or obey traffic laws, signs, or signals.
- Rollover accidents – In a rollover accident, a vehicle lands on its side or roof after rolling one or more times. Rollover accidents typically occur due to excessive speed, loss of control, uneven road shoulders, driver impairment, or vehicle design defects. Rollover accidents are uncommon but often result in severe and fatal injuries.
- Backing up crashes – Backing up crashes happen when a vehicle moving in reverse collides with a passing vehicle. They’re typically caused by negligent drivers reversing out of parking spaces, garages, or driveways without checking rear-view mirrors or blind spots.
- Single-vehicle accidents – In a single-vehicle crash, a vehicle hits a fixed object without any other vehicles involved. These accidents can occur because drivers are distracted, impaired, or swerving to avoid hitting other vehicles.
- Multi-car pile-ups – A multi-car pile-up happens when one or more vehicles crash and obstruct the flow of traffic, and other vehicles collide with the wreckage. These accidents are more common on high-speed highways and interstates and can cause extensive damage.
Causes of Car Crashes in Summerville, SC
Many factors contribute to car accidents. But driver negligence or disregard for safety is often a primary reason for a collision.
The most common causes of Summerville accidents include:
- Distracted driving – Texting and talking on the phone are the most publicized driving distractions, but distracted driving takes many forms. Other common distractions include eating, drinking, personal grooming, talking with passengers, and programming a navigation system or radio.
- Drunk driving – Safe driving requires concentration and swift reaction time, two abilities that alcohol intoxication severely limits. Alcohol use is dangerous because it reduces drivers’ judgment, decision-making abilities, coordination, and visual acuity.
- Drugged driving – Driving under the influence of drugs can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, but drugged drivers may be harder to detect. Many illegal drugs leave drivers unable to focus. Certain legal prescriptions and over-the-counter medications have side effects such as drowsiness that make it unsafe to drive.
- Fatigued driving – Driving while exhausted is physically and psychologically similar to driving under the influence. Extreme drowsiness can impair a driver’s ability to judge their surroundings, recognize traffic hazards and react to emergencies. Commercial truck drivers are especially susceptible to fatigued driving because of the many hours they spend behind the wheel.
- Inexperienced driving – Teen drivers and those with limited driving experience are more likely to commit driving errors, misjudge safe following distances, and take unnecessary risks behind the wheel.
- Aggressive driving – Aggressive driving includes speeding, lane weaving, tailgating, running red lights, and cutting others off in traffic. In extreme cases, aggressive drivers may even block other vehicles or attempt to run vehicles off the road.
- Vehicle defects – Even the safest driver can be involved in a collision when they lose control of their vehicle because of a mechanical failure or design defect. Defective tires, airbags, steering systems, and braking systems can cause loss-of-control accidents. The manufacturer may be held accountable.
- Poor road conditions – Extreme weather such as torrential rain, high winds, or blinding snow can make it difficult to control a moving vehicle and avoid potential accidents. Inadequate road infrastructure, excessive potholes, and blind curves can cause accidents.
Finding Fault in Car Accidents in Summerville
In South Carolina, drivers who cause accidents may be held financially responsible for the injuries and vehicle damage they cause. To recover compensation through a car accident insurance claim or lawsuit, an accident victim will need to prove how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
The Summerville car crash attorneys of Joye Law Firm can help you identify those who should be held accountable for your injuries.
When investigating crashes we seek to gather the following types of evidence to develop a persuasive case:
- Police accident reports – If law enforcement responded to the accident scene, the accident report might contain useful information such as any citations issued for traffic violations, toxicology test results, and official determinations of fault.
- Photos and video footage – We look for nearby surveillance cameras that may have recorded the crash. Video evidence can be used to show the relative position of each vehicle involved in the crash before and after it occurred. This type of evidence is often lost if not sought quickly before the tape is recycled.
- Eyewitness testimony – Statements from credible eyewitnesses can serve as an important source of unbiased information about the accident. This is especially helpful when the facts are in dispute and little physical evidence is available.
- Expert witness testimony – Expert witnesses such as medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists can provide testimony as to the causes and effects of a collision.
- Medical records and bills – Your medical records are important evidence of the nature of the injuries caused by the wreck. Your medical bills also document the financial burdens you experienced as a result of the other motorist’s negligence, allowing you to demand compensation from the at-fault driver.
- Pay stubs and bank records – If you were forced to miss work during your recovery from accident-related injuries, your pay stubs or bank records can serve as proof of the compensable losses to your income.
Damages You May Recover After a Summerville, SC Car Accident
If you and your lawyer can demonstrate that another party was fully or mostly responsible for the accident, you may be entitled to money for your accident-related losses. With a successful Summerville car accident claim, you could be compensated for:
- Medical bills – Any ongoing, or projected future costs of medical care to treat your accident-related injuries may be covered. This includes costs of hospital stays, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation, and medications.
- Incidental expenses – Settlements can include money for any out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result of the accident, such as travel to medical appointments or home accessibility modifications.
- Repair costs – You could recover money for the repair or replacement costs of your vehicle or other personal property.
- Lost wages – If you missed time at work while you recovered from your accident-related injuries, you could receive compensation for your loss of income.
- Lost earning potential – If your injuries are severe enough to cause long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your job, you could receive compensation for losses to your long-term earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – Settlements may include compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and limitations you experienced as a result of your injuries. It can also incorporate psychological or emotional anguish.
Get Immediate Assistance after a Summerville Auto Accident
For more than 50 years, our Summerville car crash lawyers of Joye Law Firm have fought to protect the rights of injured South Carolinians and their loved ones. Every case stands on its own. But our record of successful case results shows the effort we put into each case. We are available to review the details of your accident and discuss how we may assist you. The case review is free and will help you understand your right and make well-informed decisions. Call today.
To learn more about how we can help you after a Summerville auto accident, call us at (888) 324-3100 or contact us online for your free initial case review.
