A car accident can be an absolutely traumatic experience. Victims are often forced to suffer through immense pain, fear, and anxiety in the crash and are later confronted with financial problems and more stress in the accident’s aftermath. Car accident injuries can mean victims will lose out on wages as they have to take time off work to recover. Victims may also face unaffordable medical expenses and high levels of stress. Some people are hurt so badly in motor vehicle crashes that they are unable to ever return to work, enjoy their hobbies, or live the life they want.
If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Additionally, you deserve the financial support promised to you in your insurance policy. At Evans Moore, LLC, our Georgetown car accident attorneys have the skills and know-how necessary to help you handle a wide variety of legal issues that can arise after a crash. We have experience assisting clients with cases involving:
After a crash, you can protect your rights and safeguard your future with the help of a dedicated car accident lawyer. Whether you want to pursue a personal injury case or file a claim with your insurance company, our attorneys are ready to help.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
When we’re involved in an accident, we usually blame another driver, even ourselves, for the mistake. Even a minor mistake can lead to a devastating crash. However, while it’s true that thousands of accidents each year are caused by operator errors, crashes can also result from dangerous road conditions and car manufacturer negligence.
Some common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk Driving
- Drivers impaired by drugs or medication
- Uneven shoulders or shoulder drop-offs
- Potholes
- Aggressive driving
- Blowouts resulting from low-quality tires
- Inadequate or missing signage around dangers or construction sites
- Drivers distracted by texts, phone calls, the radio, etc.
- Speeding
- Brake malfunctions
- Improperly installed car components
In situations where a driver error is not apparent, people tend to assume that no party can be held legally liable for their accident. However, a skilled car accident lawyer from Evans Moore, LLC can investigate your crash and determine whether a construction company, municipality, car manufacturer, or other driver contributed to or directly caused the incident. You should not bear the responsibility of paying for an accident resulting from someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions.
South Carolina Auto Accident Statistics
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety tracks car accident injuries and their causes. They release annual reports on motor vehicle crashes, causes, and injuries. The most recent numbers reveal a concerning lack of safety on South Carolina roads. For example, in 2021:
- One person died in a car accident every 7.3 hours
- A crash occurred every 3.6
- Someone sustained a crash-related injury every 9.8 minutes
- There were 1,112 fatal crashes in the most recent year researchers analyzed, a 15.4 percent increase from 964 crashes in the prior year
- There were 53,596 reported traffic injuries
- 1,860 collisions occurred due to a vehicle defect
- 135,864 collisions occurred due to driver error
- 1,300 collisions occurred due to roadway conditions
- 3,524 people sustained injuries in which police listed an impaired driver as a contributing factor
Many people consider these numbers to be more tragic when considering how many accidents could have been prevented if the parties involved had been acting responsibly, watching the road, or considering driver safety.
Car Accidents and the Law
In the aftermath of a car accident, you may be forced to deal with various legal issues. You will probably have to interact with insurance companies as you attempt to sort out payment for damage to your vehicle. Many car accident victims assume that their insurance plan will cover their car repairs, but actually receiving those payments can be exceptionally difficult. Insurance companies are, first and foremost, for-profit businesses. They are more concerned with their bottom line than your best interests, which can mean unjustly denying, delaying, or severely reducing your claim. Whether you’re fielding harassing phone calls from another driver’s insurance agent or fighting to get the money you were promised in your own contract, a skilled car accident attorney with Evans Moore, LLC can help you deal with those companies.
Additionally, you might need to secure monetary recompense for any injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, which requires a firm grasp of the law. The damage to your car might be the least of your worries, and insurance companies typically won’t cover medical expenses or lost work wages. In some situations, your best option is to pursue a personal injury claim against the person or group responsible for the accident. Under personal injury law, you might receive fair compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Physical pain
- Loss of work wages
- Mental anguish
- Loss of earning potential
A car accident by itself can be painful and traumatizing. You should not have to continue to experience intense anxiety afterward, but, more of than not, there is a whole host of complex problems. An experienced attorney can help you navigate tricky insurance claims and, if necessary, get the financial compensation you need to handle the costs of your injuries from the party responsible for the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accidents
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, you most likely have a lot of questions. We have compiled a short list of concerns raised by many of our clients. Please feel free to call us at (843) 995-5000 to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional about any other questions you have concerning your specific situation.
That depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount any party was at fault, and the costs of your injuries. In legal terms, South Carolina is a “comparative negligence” state. That means that you can recover damages for a car accident as long as you technically bear responsibility for less than half of the crash. However, the amount you can recover depends on how much or how little you were at fault. If you sustained damages totaling $20,000, but the courts determine that you were 20% at fault, you would only be eligible to receive $16,000.
Many attempt to receive compensation to ensure they can pay for all of the costs related to the car accident. Too many people mistakenly think that any legal case, even one ending in a victory, will take too much time and effort to be worth it. Unfortunately, even people who have a strong claim avoid talking to a lawyer because of this widespread assumption. An experienced car accident attorney can discuss the legal process with you, letting you know what to expect by putting together a general timeline. Even if you do not think you will wind up pursuing a legal case, it is still in your best interest to find out about your options from a dedicated legal professional. If you delay too long, you may not be able to recover compensation from the party responsible for your injuries.
Our skilled legal team prioritizes client satisfaction, and that means communicating openly, working swiftly, and fighting for the maximum financial compensation amounts possible. We understand that anyone interested in our services has already been through a traumatizing experience and probably continues to struggle with issues relating to their car accident. In order to make things easier for you, we shoulder the legal burden of your car accident and fight to safeguard your financial stability.
Our practiced car accidents attorneys have earned a number of awards and recognitions attesting to our skills, experience, and client-focused approach. In 2017, we were recognized as a Top 10 firm for client satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. We also feature on the list of Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 from the American Society of Legal Advocates.
Contact a Georgetown Car Accident Attorney
Getting injured in a car accident can affect every aspect of your life. Not only are you forced to experience pain and fear during the crash itself, but you are left to deal with the aftermath of the accident. You may find yourself burdened with sizable medical bills, physical suffering, and stress. Additionally, your finances may become unstable when you have to take time off work to recover. Insurance companies might unfairly deny or delay your claims. These problems can feel absolutely insurmountable without legal help.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Evans Moore, LLC, our tough car accident attorneys are ready to defend your rights and safeguard your future—even if that means standing up to a large insurance company. Call us today at (843) 995-5000 to speak with a skilled legal professional about how we can help you hold the responsible party accountable for your injury.
