Helping People Injured in Car Accidents
If you have been injured in a serious car accident, contact the Hopkins Law Firm to schedule a free initial consultation!
South Carolina is consistently ranked in the ten most dangerous states in which to drive because of the high rate of roadway fatalities, especially on rural roads. Even so, personal vehicles are still the most common form of transportation. Our cars are an absolute necessity that helps us visit friends and family, go grocery shopping, and commute to work. Unfortunately, with so many people out on the road, accidents are bound to happen.
With so many people on the road at any given time, there are many ways an accident can occur. The possibility for distraction while driving, biking, and walking is higher than ever, which can make staying safe seem difficult. It takes only one driver to look down at a cell phone and lose focus to cause an accident. When carelessness strikes, a qualified car accident lawyer can help you hold other drivers accountable.
Some accidents are not anyone's fault. Drivers are injured every day even when they are following traffic laws and doing their best to drive safely. Weather conditions, such as fog, rain, or animals on the road can all cause accidents. However, many more accidents are completely preventable and caused by the reckless or negligent actions of drivers who do not take care to drive safely. If your car accident resulted from the careless actions of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage. Contact the Hopkins Law Firm to learn how a South Carolina car accident attorney can help you recover the money you need following your accident.
South Carolina Car Accident Statistics
South Carolina is one of the deadliest states for car crashes. The mileage death rate, which is the number of fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, has been significantly higher in South Carolina than the average across the United States for at least the past 25 years.
According to the most recent statistics from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, a traffic accident occurs every 3.7 minutes in the Palmetto State. A fatal collision happens every 9.5 hours.
Other data about South Carolina car accident fatalities show that:
- Someone is killed in a drunk-driving wreck every 28 hours.
- Teen drivers are in fatal or severe crashes every 1.3 hours.
- Someone without a seat belt dies in an auto accident every 27.5 hours.
- One pedestrian dies every 2.3 days in a S.C. car crash.
- Every 3.1 days, a motorcyclist is killed in a collision.
- A child under six is killed or seriously injured every 9.4 days.
- Every 21.5 days, a bicyclist dies in a motor vehicle accident.
The most common contributing factor in fatal collisions in South Carolina was an action (or failure to act) by one or more drivers. Other factors included vehicle defects, environmental factors, and poor roadway conditions.
Of the driver-related fatal crashes in South Carolina, some of the most common contributing factors included:
- Distracted Driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Failing to the yield right of way
- Wrong-way driving
- Ignoring signs and signals
When someone is killed in a crash involving a negligent driver, certain family members can seek compensation for their loss through a wrongful death claim. These types of claims must be filed by a personal representative of the deceased person's estate. Typically, this is a spouse. However, someone else may be appointed as executor.
If you are not sure if you have a valid claim for wrongful death in South Carolina? Contact a car accident attorney at Hopkins Law Firm to find out with a free consultation.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
The top causes of car crashes in South Carolina include:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving (e.g., texting behind the wheel, applying makeup, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio or climate controls, looking at navigation systems, etc.)
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive or reckless driving (e.g., tailgating, swerving, ignoring traffic signals, etc.)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Bad weather
- Hazardous road conditions (e.g., loose gravel, potholes, missing signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, road work, etc.)
- Broken or defective car parts
After being hurt in a crash, it's essential to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Insurance companies will start calling within hours to offer you a quick settlement. You can count on this first offer to be far lower than what you deserve.
At Hopkins Law Firm, we will perform a thorough investigation of your car accident claim to determine what it's really worth. Then we'll push for maximum compensation that reflects the true extent of your injuries and losses, including your pain and suffering. You deserve better than a lowball settlement, and you can rely on our team to fight for the best possible results for you.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death nationwide. Some of the most common types car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash, connective tissue or other neck trauma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) and paralysis
- Back injuries (e.g., herniated discs)
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Cuts and scrapes
- Chest injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage, such as muscle tears and ruptured tendons
The cost of medical treatment for car accident injuries is enormous. A broken arm or leg can easily cost thousands of dollars to repair — and tens of thousands of dollars for complex fractures requiring surgery. Car accident victims often face more expenses for needs such as rehabilitation and pain medications. Combined with missed wages from being forced to take time off work to heal, and the financial impact of a single collision can be devastating.
Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims
Even a little minor car accident can cause big trouble. As a result of your car accident, you could end up with substantial damages.
In South Carolina, you are entitled to recover financial compensation of the full extent of your damages. This includes any non-economic damage that you have suffered. A non-exhaustive list of damages that you may be entitled to includes:
- Personal injuries
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Scars and permanent disabilities
- Car damage
- Insurance hassles
- Medical forms and paperwork
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Can You Afford a Car Accident Lawyer?
Many car accident victims worry that they will not be able to afford a qualified lawyer. After all, lawyers are really expensive, right? This is a common, and damaging, misconception.
You can absolutely afford a lawyer for your car accident injury claim. In fact, you cannot afford not to hire one. At Hopkins Law Firm, we can take your case on a contingency fee basis.
This type of system provides many benefits to car accident victims, including:
- No upfront costs: Not only we will evaluate your claim for free, but we also do not require any upfront payment if we do go forward with your case. Using a contingency fee arrangement, we only get paid if you get paid.
- No hourly billing: Without hourly billing, you can call up your lawyer at any time. It will not cost you any additional money. Ultimately, our firm is not looking to take money out of your pocket. We want to help you recover the compensation that you deserve.
- You can take on big insurance companies: You do not need to worry about the big insurance companies and their deep pockets. We will make sure that you can take them on and hold the negligent party fully accountable for their actions.
We can help you make a bad situation better. We have the qualified professionals to answer any question you have if involved in a car accident. Find out what we can do for you. Call 843-314-4202 or reach us by email. Your consultation with us is free and confidential.
What Should I Do If I Was Involved In A Car Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, especially if you believe you were injured, you might find yourself in a state of panic. You may be thinking about what you need to do, who you should talk to, and what you should and shouldn't say. Until you can contact a lawyer, it is usually best to avoid all but the most critical discussions concerning any injuries you may have sustained. Nonetheless, there are a number of specific actions you should and should not do in immediately following an accident.
What To Do
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Ensure that you cooperate with law enforcement and emergency services once they arrive, and do not leave the scene until you are cleared to do so.
- Make sure that you collect the contact and insurance information of all parties involved, if possible.
- If you are able to, always take pictures of the accident scene, surrounding area, and any personal injuries or property damage.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to get an evaluation of your claim.
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and receive guidance on the insurance process.
What NOT To Do
- Do not leave the scene of an accident until told to do so.
- Do not admit fault or even engage in a discussion of who was at fault in the accident.
- Do not discard any evidence, such as car parts or clothes that may have been damaged in the accident, until the case is over.
- If you are able to move, do not remain in an area that could put you at further risk for an injury.
By cooperating with law enforcement and emergency services as well as filing your insurance claim as soon as possible, you are putting yourself in a better position to have a favorable outcome in your case. Importantly, you must never admit fault in the preliminary stages of the case, even if you partially contributed to the crash. Even a simple “I'm sorry” at the scene of the accident can be considered admissible evidence of your guilt during a settlement or in court.
Hopkins Law Firm is here to help you navigate the insurance process and hold reckless and irresponsible drivers accountable for their actions in causing car accidents. Keep in mind that the statute of limitations on most personal injury cases in South Carolina is three years from the accident date, so it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney as soon as possible following an accident.
Speak With A Charleston, Georgetown, Pawleys Island, or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Car Accident Attorney
Hopkins Law Firm is a full-service South Carolina car accident law firm. We'll handle all aspects of your claim from case open to case closed, with as little disruption to your life as possible. What's most important is your health and healing. Our goal is to give you peace of mind by obtaining the full and fair amount of compensation you are owed.
You don't need to worry about any upfront costs while we work on your case. Hopkins Law Firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid if we win your case.
You can count on Hopkins Law Firm to:
- Listen to your story, help you understand your legal options, and patiently answer any questions you have about your case
- Give you the tools you need to make the best decisions for your personal situation while you're on the road to recovery
- Handle all the paperwork and bureaucracy that comes with car accident claims, including completing forms for insurance adjusters and filing with the courts in a timely manner
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to help you get fair compensation
- Gather the evidence needed to prove your case, such as photographs, eyewitness accounts, and medical documents
Identify experts, such as medical consultants or accident reconstruction representatives, who can testify to support your claim - Keep you continually updated about the status of your case so you don't feel like you're in the dark
- Give you the personal attention you deserve, get to know you and your family, and help you trust that we have your best interests in mind
- Pledge to you that we'll maintain an open-door policy, so we're available to speak with you whenever you need us
- Fight aggressively for your best interests with insurance companies and in court, and help you get justice and the maximum compensation you deserve
Following your accident, hiring an attorney to help you seek compensation is probably the last thing on your mind. We understand this, which is why we want you to focus on recovering while we make sure you are treated fairly by the insurance companies. Call us at 843-314-4202 or reach us by email. Our team offers a free consultation and won't charge attorneys' fees unless we help you recover money in a settlement or trial.