Car accidents happen in a matter of seconds. Suddenly and unexpectedly, you are suffering from serious injuries, and you may not even know what happened. It is critical to determine who caused your accident so you can hold them accountable for paying the full compensation you deserve. When determining what caused your crash, it is helpful to understand the most common causes of car accidents in Charleston. Below, our Charleston car accident lawyer explains what these are.
Distracted Driving
Texting while driving is illegal in South Carolina. However, using a phone is not the only distraction motorists face when they are behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, listening to loud music, adjusting the vehicle’s system, such as the radio, and even getting lost in thought can all result in a crash. These distractions can cause drivers to inadvertently swerve into another lane, follow another vehicle too closely, and engage in other dangerous behaviors.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous. Impaired driving slows reaction times, interferes with perception, causes poor judgment, and more. Still, even with all of the awareness campaigns over the years, too many drivers get behind the wheel while they are impaired.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving includes many dangerous behaviors, such as failing to yield the right of way, changing lanes without signaling, ignoring traffic signs, and even driving against the flow of traffic. All of these greatly increase the chances that an accident will occur. Reckless driving is more than just simple negligence. It often includes aggressive behaviors, such as speeding excessively, which increases the force and severity of these accidents.
Speeding
Speeding not only causes car accidents but also increases the force of impact, just like reckless driving. As such, injuries caused by speeding in a car accident typically result in injuries that are much more serious.
Inclement Weather
Inclement weather conditions such as heavy rain, high winds, and more can create dangerous road conditions, which can cause a crash. No one can control the weather, but all motorists have an obligation to determine whether it is safe for them to drive and if they have the skills and knowledge to navigate the conditions. If not, they should not get behind the wheel.
Defective Vehicles and Vehicle Parts
Not all car accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Sometimes, vehicles or vehicle parts are defective. This can cause the vehicles to break down and cause an accident. When manufacturers release defective vehicles and vehicle parts onto the market, they can be held liable for paying for any damages caused by the faulty parts.
Our Car Accident Lawyer in Charleston Can Determine the Cause of Your Crash
If you have been hurt in a crash that someone else caused, you may have a right to compensation. At Trey Harrell, Auto Accident Attorney, our Charleston car accident lawyer can determine what caused your crash so you know who to hold liable for paying the full compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help. Remember Trey Helps!