The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports in just one recent year, more than 3,000 people suffered severe injuries in car accidents statewide, and another 1,000 people died in crashes. Major car accidents can leave victims in a lifetime of pain and disability, along with piles of expensive medical bills and lost income.
The Florence car accident lawyers at the Jebaily Law Firm have more than 100 years of combined personal injury experience. Our clients have recovered significant compensation with our help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. You won’t owe us any fees unless and until we collect compensation on your behalf.
What Are the Common Types of Car Accidents in Florence?
Some of the categories of car accidents that occur in Florence include:
- Head-on collisions — Head-on collisions are usually the result of one vehicle crossing over a median or centerline into opposing traffic. That can happen if a driver is drunk, impaired by other drugs, distracted, fatigued, or otherwise negligent. The force of a head-on collision often means that vehicle occupants suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- Rear-end collisions — Rear-end collisions can occur for a wide variety of reasons, including distracted driving, drunk driving, driving while fatigued, following too closely, mechanical defects, and other forms of negligence. Victims often report whiplash, back injuries, and others.
- Sideswipe accidents — Sideswipe accidents are usually the result of drivers not paying enough attention when turning, changing lanes, or merging into traffic. Sideswipe accidents can cause severe injuries like broken bones, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and more.
- Left-turn accidents — There are two main ways that left-turn accidents occur. The first is when the driver who is turning makes a mistake, such as not yielding when they’re supposed to or not allowing themselves enough time to make a turn safely. The second is when a driver approaching someone making a left turn is somehow negligent, such as proceeding through an intersection when they’re supposed to stop or yield. Turning vehicles are especially vulnerable to accidents, and victims can suffer catastrophic injuries.
- T-bone accidents and intersection collisions — Aside from left-turn accidents, another common type of intersection accident is a T-bone collision. That occurs when one vehicle collides with another to form a “T” shape. Most T-bone accidents result from drivers failing to stop or yield at an intersection because they were distracted, impaired, tired, or otherwise negligent.
- Rollover accidents — Rollover accidents can happen when vehicles with high centers of gravity take turn too quickly because a driver is distracted, fatigued, impaired, driving recklessly, etc. They can also happen because of a tire blowout or other mechanical malfunction. Semi-trucks and other heavy vehicles can sometimes overturn if their cargo comes loose in transit, which can throw off a vehicle’s balance.
- Multi-vehicle accidents and pile-ups — In crowded traffic conditions, a single accident can spiral into a multi-vehicle crash if vehicles are close. For example, someone who rear-ends one vehicle might cause the second vehicle to veer off and collide with someone else, and so on. Multi-vehicle accident cases are tricky because there may be multiple liable parties, in which case you may need to file multiple claims to recover the full compensation you’re owed.
- Single-vehicle accidents — Not all traffic accidents necessarily involve multiple vehicles. A driver might veer off the road and strike an object or end up in a ditch if they’re impaired, distracted, or overly tired. Bad weather conditions and mechanical defects can also cause single-vehicle accidents in some cases.
- Highway accidents — Accidents on interstates or other major highways are hazardous because vehicles often travel at high speeds. The laws of physics tell us that things hit harder the faster they’re moving, so high-speed crashes on highways tend to cause extreme injuries to anyone involved.
- Uber/Lyft accidents — Rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft often work long hours and put a lot of mileage on their vehicles, putting them at risk of crashes related to substance abuse, fatigued driving, or mechanical defects. Uber or Lyft drivers working in crowded cities also frequently collide with pedestrians, cycles, and other vulnerable road users.
- Uninsured accidents — It can be challenging to claim compensation after car accidents involving uninsured drivers. Still, you may be able to recover something by filing a claim with your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Do not expect full payment without a fight, even though you are dealing with “your” insurance company.
- Hit-and-run accidents — Hit-and-run accidents are incredibly frustrating because if you can’t identify the vehicle or police can’t catch the driver, you will not be able to file a claim against the responsible parties. However, you may be able to recover some compensation through a UM claim.
How We Investigate Car Accidents
To recover compensation after a car accident in South Carolina, you will have to show that another party is liable for your injuries. That means showing that someone else had a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injuring you and that they somehow failed in that responsibility. You’ll also need to document all the losses you’ve suffered in the accident, both economic and non-economic.
These are all tasks that the car accident lawyers at the Jebaily Law Firm can assist you with. Our experienced attorneys know what evidence to find to establish liability and substantiate your losses.
Vital evidence in a car accident case could include:
- Medical records
- Police accident reports
- Photos or videos from the accident scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Testimony from expert medical witnesses or forensic accident investigators
This evidence, along with pay stubs and other records documenting your losses, could form the basis of settlement negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance companies. Most cases are settled before a trial becomes necessary, but our team is not afraid to go to court if the insurance company doesn’t agree to a fair settlement. Throughout your case, a car accident lawyer can look out for your interests and prevent you from making critical mistakes.
Contact Our Experienced Florence Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Florence area, you have a limited window to seek compensation. Contact the Jebaily Law Firm now for a free initial consultation about your case.
