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When you or someone you love sustains an injury or experiences property damage in a car crash, it is natural to want to hold the responsible party or parties accountable. Trey Harrell, Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney in Summerville, South Carolina, understands the intricacies of the state’s personal injury laws and how working with our Summerville car accident lawyer increases the chances of a successful outcome.
Why Car Accidents Are So Common in Summerville
A couple of key factors contribute to the high number of car crashes in and around Summerville.
Population increases
As more people move to Summerville, more vehicles clog the city’s roadways. The more vehicles traveling the roads, the higher the likelihood of collisions.
Inadequate infrastructure
A lack of adequate infrastructure and poor road maintenance can also contribute to car wrecks in Summerville. When roadways lack proper signage or lighting, it raises the chances of a crash, especially at night.
Our Summerville car accident lawyer can help you pinpoint if these or other factors contributed to your crash to establish responsibility.
What Causes Summerville Car Accidents
Summerville crashes have many causes, but certain contributing factors, like driver behavior, are more often present. Many crashes in Summerville have similar elements stemming from reckless or negligent actions.
Impaired driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can affect judgment, reaction time, and alertness, increasing the chances of a collision. Drinking can make people more prone to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel, such as tailgating or weaving between lanes.
When motorists drive under the influence of either prescribed medications or illegal drugs, it can increase drowsiness and compromise decision-making abilities. While driving under the influence creates risks for the person driving, it also endangers everyone else they encounter on Summerville roadways.
Distracted driving
Driving while distracted raises car accident risks by diverting a motorist’s attention away from driving. Distractions can be manual, cognitive, visual, or a combination of all three.
Cellphones are a frequent but not the sole source of distraction for many motorists. Eating or drinking, personal grooming, and interacting with fellow passengers can take a motorist’s attention away from the road, increasing the chances of a collision.
Speeding
Speeding is also a frequent contributor to car wrecks, with Greenville, SC news channel WYFF reporting that speed contributes to 46% of South Carolina’s fatal crashes. When a driver speeds, it takes more time for their vehicle to come to a complete stop, raising the odds of a rear-end collision. Speeding also increases the force of impact in a crash, heightening the chances of injuries or fatalities.
Our Summerville car accident attorney can help you determine if one or more of these factors contributed to your crash. Our team guides you through the claims process, ensuring you meet the necessary deadlines and requirements.
How Weather Conditions Affect Summerville Car Accidents
South Carolina’s climate presents unique challenges for drivers throughout the year. Rain creates slippery road surfaces that reduce tire traction and increase stopping distances. Heavy downpours can limit visibility to just a few feet ahead. Fog often rolls in from the Ashley River, making it difficult to see other vehicles or road signs.
Summer thunderstorms arrive quickly in Summerville. These storms bring sudden heavy rain that can flood low-lying areas. Standing water on roads creates hydroplaning risks. Winter months may bring occasional ice storms that make driving treacherous for residents not used to such conditions.
Smart drivers adjust their speed and following distance when the weather turns bad. However, not everyone takes these precautions. When drivers fail to account for weather conditions, accidents become more likely.
The Role of Road Design in Local Accidents
Summerville’s growing population has put strain on roadways that were not designed for current traffic volumes. Many streets still follow layouts from decades ago when the town was much smaller. Narrow lanes force vehicles closer together than ideal. Limited shoulder space leaves little room for error.
Some intersections lack proper turning lanes. This forces drivers to slow suddenly or make dangerous moves to change direction. Construction zones create additional hazards as traffic patterns shift frequently. Orange cones and construction equipment can block sight lines or force quick lane changes.
Highway on-ramps and off-ramps in the area sometimes have short merging distances. Drivers must accelerate or decelerate quickly to match traffic flow. These design limitations contribute to many car accidents throughout the Tri-County Area.
Common Injuries Seen in Summerville Car Crashes
Vehicle accidents can cause various types of injuries depending on crash severity and circumstances. Whiplash affects many accident victims when their head and neck snap forward and backward rapidly. This soft tissue injury may not show symptoms immediately, but can cause pain for weeks or months.
Back injuries occur frequently in rear-end collisions. The force of impact can damage muscles, ligaments, or spinal discs. Some back injuries require surgery or long-term physical therapy to heal properly.
Head injuries range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries. Even minor head trauma can affect concentration, memory, or sleep patterns. More severe brain injuries may require extensive rehabilitation and ongoing care.
The following injuries also appear regularly in local accident cases:
- Broken bones in arms, legs, ribs, or facial areas
- Cuts and bruises from broken glass or metal
- Internal injuries affecting organs or causing internal bleeding
- Burns from hot metal, steam, or vehicle fires
Insurance Challenges After Summerville Accidents
Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can feel overwhelming. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after a crash to get a recorded statement. They often seem helpful but work to protect their company’s interests, not yours.
Adjusters might offer quick settlement amounts that seem reasonable at first glance. However, these initial offers rarely account for ongoing medical treatment or time away from work. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot seek additional compensation later.
Insurance companies may also dispute the extent of your injuries or argue that pre-existing conditions caused your pain. They might require independent medical examinations from doctors they choose. These doctors may downplay your symptoms or recovery needs.
Some insurers delay claim processing, hoping you will accept less money or give up entirely. They may request excessive documentation or ask for the same information multiple times. These tactics can frustrate accident victims who need financial help for medical bills and repairs.
The Importance of Acting Quickly After an Accident
South Carolina law sets specific time limits for filing personal injury claims. These deadlines, called statutes of limitations, are strictly enforced by courts. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to seek compensation forever.
Evidence from accident scenes can disappear quickly. Skid marks fade, debris gets cleared away, and security camera footage may be recorded over. Witness memories also become less reliable as time passes. Starting your case promptly helps preserve important evidence.
Medical records become crucial in proving your injuries and treatment needs. Seeking prompt medical care creates documentation that links your injuries directly to the accident. Waiting too long to see a doctor may give insurance companies reason to question whether the accident caused your problems.
The following steps can strengthen your potential case:
- Report the accident to the police, even for minor crashes
- Keep all medical appointments and follow treatment recommendations
- Save receipts for accident-related expenses like medications or transportation
- Avoid discussing the accident details on social media platforms
How Legal Representation Changes Case Outcomes
Having legal representation often leads to significantly higher settlement amounts than handling claims alone. Insurance companies know that unrepresented accident victims may not fully know their rights or the true value of their claims. They may offer lower amounts to people without legal help.
Experienced car accident attorneys know how to calculate fair compensation amounts that account for current and future needs. They consider medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other factors that accident victims might overlook. Legal professionals also have resources to investigate accidents thoroughly and identify all responsible parties.
Summerville car accident lawyers handle communications with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery. They know which settlement offers are reasonable and which are inadequate. If negotiations fail to produce fair results, having legal representation allows you to take your case to court.
What Damages Are Available in a Car Accident Claim
After a crash, you may be able to secure several types of damages to cover your losses. Most of these damages fall into one of two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Our car accident lawyers in Summerville can also help determine if punitive damages may be available.
Economic damages
Economic damages cover the actual losses you experienced in the crash, including current and future medical care expenses stemming from the incident. Economic damages may also include compensation for property damage to your car.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages seek to address the toll a crash takes on your quality of life. For example, after a crash, our Summerville car accident lawyer may decide you should seek compensation for pain and suffering or emotional distress. You may also decide to pursue damages for loss of consortium, which is the inability to enjoy the benefits of a romantic or familial relationship.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages may also be available when certain circumstances are present. Intended to “punish” the responsible party, punitive damages may be possible if you or your Summerville car accident lawyer can show that the person who caused your crash exhibited willful and reckless behavior in doing so.
Our Summerville car accident lawyer can help you decide what types of damages may be appropriate given the circumstances of your case and build an argument to fight for those damages.
What To Do After a Summerville Car Accident
Emotions may run high after a South Carolina car crash, but knowing the steps to take can guide you through the immediate shock. After an accident, immediately assess your condition and that of any others involved in the wreck and get medical attention if necessary. Sometimes car accident injuries are not readily apparent until long after the crash occurs, so seeking medical care is often wise, even if you do not suspect any major injuries.
It’s also important to exchange information with others involved in the crash and document the crash scene as thoroughly as possible. Take photos of any contributing factors, like slick roads or obstacles in the roadway.
Photograph your vehicle from multiple angles, including any damage.
If any witnesses saw the accident, be sure to obtain their contact information and statements. Their statements may serve as valuable evidence if you and your Summerville car accident lawyer decide to pursue a claim against the negligent party.
When You Need a Summerville Car Accident Lawyer
When a car accident leaves you with injuries or property damage, you don’t have to navigate the legal landscape alone. Trey Harrell, Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney in Summerville, South Carolina, understands the complexities of the state’s personal injury laws and can help you explore your options after a crash. Reach our Summerville car accident lawyer today by calling 843-636-TREY (8739) or getting in touch online. Remember, Trey Helps!
