843-636-TREY
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.
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 from multiple angles your vehicle and 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.
