4701 Oleander Drive, Suite A
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
4701 Oleander Drive, Suite A
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
A car accident is a terrifying and traumatic situation, even when it is minor. More serious accidents can result in not only emotional and psychological harm but severe injuries, property damage, and long-term recovery. Understanding the common reasons car accidents occur could help you be more cautious and avoid accidents on the roadway. If you were involved in an accident, you need an experienced South Carolina car accident lawyer to help you obtain the coverage you need.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, fatal traffic collisions in 2020 were primarily caused by drivers 82.47% of the time, with the cause being non-motorists 15.25% of the time. Non-fatal collisions were primarily caused by drivers 94.12% of the time and by environmental causes 3.38% of the time. Other contributing factors listed were vehicle defects and roadways.
There are many reasons a driver may be at fault for an accident, including negligence, recklessness, misconduct, and malice, among others. The most common causes of driver-at-fault collisions include:
Accidents can also be caused without the fault of any involved drivers. Other causes include:
Determining the cause of a car accident is essential to determine who can be held liable for the injuries and other damages suffered by the victims of the accident.
A: If you are in a car accident in South Carolina, the first thing you should do is receive the emergency medical care you need. Then, report the accident. If the cars are on the road, do what you can to clear them or move safely out of the way.
When first responders arrive, receive medical care and file a report. Exchange insurance and contact information with the others involved in the accident. Document the scene of the accident. Then, contact an attorney to determine the next steps for an insurance claim.
A: No, South Carolina is not a no-fault state for auto accidents. When multiple parties are involved in a car accident, all injured parties file insurance claims with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver to cover property damage and medical costs. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, drivers may then be able to file with their own provider. If multiple parties are at fault, each covers the same percentage of damages for which they were at fault.
A: The maximum amount for which you can file a claim depends on the severity and extent of your damages. Damages include property damage, lost income, and medical bills, among others.
First, damages are covered by an insurance claim with the at-fault driver.
If this does not cover the damages or if the driver is uninsured, you may be able to file with your own insurance company. If your damages still exceed this amount, the remainder of the damages could be obtained through a civil claim.
A: As of 2020, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were 89.15 injuries per 100 million miles of vehicle travel and 1.98 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. The report stated that there was one traffic collision every 4.3 minutes and one fatal traffic collision every 9.1 hours. Injury collisions happened every 16 minutes, and property damage collisions occurred every six minutes.
Although most drivers attempt to drive defensively and carefully, they cannot always prevent an accident. At Axelrod & Associates, P.A., we have more than 100 years of collective experience and have worked for years to represent individuals injured in car accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we can help you. We can investigate the accident, determine the cause, and identify who is liable for your injuries and damages. Contact our team today.
Call us at 843-916-9300 or fill out our contact form today.
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