Auto Accident Compensation
Important Information About Traffic Accidents In South Carolina And Around The Country
The US/South Carolina Auto Accident Report: The Harrowing Figures
Every year, more than 32,000 Americans are killed and over two million injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents. This implies an estimated 87 people die every day in the United States from motor vehicle accidents, that’s three people every hour, one of the highest rates among high-income countries.
Locally in South Carolina, the problem is magnified. The state recorded more than 49,900 auto accidents in 2014 which caused 824 deaths that year. There were approximately 1.65 deaths out of every 100 miles covered by road in the state that year; the highest
in the country.
Causes Of Auto Accidents
1. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that one out of every three road accidents in the United States is caused by drunk driving
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html. It is the leading cause of auto accidents in the country.
In 2014 alone, over 9,900 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the United States. In South Carolina, over 3,800 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents crashes between 2003 and 2012. The CDC reports that as much as 1.6% of the adult population in the state reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the past 30 days, that’s just a bit below the national average of 1.9%
http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/impaired_driving/drunk_driving_in_sc.pdf.
3.The third largest cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States in distracted driving. This includes texting, calling or browsing while driving, talking to passengers, grooming, brushing teeth, adjusting the music player, eating, and drinking. Every day, more than eight people are killed and 1,661 injured in distracted driving road accidents
http://www.distraction.gov/downloads/pdfs/Distracted_Driving_2013_Research_note.pdf.
The injuries sustained in these accidents can be severe, in some cases, life-threatening. Some of the injuries are internal so the victim will not see them. They will only feel their effects much later.
Common Injuries In Car Accidents
Head Injuries
Head injuries are the most common injuries suffered. The force from the car accident collision rocks the brain, causing it to collide with the skull in a back and forth motion. Though this may occur in a fraction of a second, the damage to the nervous system can be devastating. Traumatic head and brain injuries are the most debilitating injuries. The symptoms of head/brain injuries include:
- Severe headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Depression.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
Neck And Back Injuries
Neck injuries, such as whiplash, occur mostly as a result of rear-end auto accidents where a person’s head and neck is pushed forward after the collision and then snaps back. This can cause long term neck strain and pain.
Back injuries and spinal cord injuries are caused when the road accident collision tears or fractures vertebrae, dislocates herniated discs, damages spinal tissue, or fragments bone tissue. These can cause severe back pain and even paralysis.
Internal Injuries
The sheer force of an auto accident is enough to wreak havoc internally: from broken bones to shattered rib cages to damaged vital organs such as kidneys, lungs, and the liver. Internal bleeding is also a high probability. In severe cases, if these injuries are left unattended, death will occur.
Getting medical attention immediately after being involved in a car accident is critical. Not only is delaying medical attention harmful to your health, it may harm your insurance compensation claim. Insurance companies take advantage of delayed medical attention to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident but rather were the result of something else that happened after the accident. If you’re having any issues getting in to see a good doctor, Southeastern Law Group can help.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Spartanburg or Greenville car accident, you deserve to be compensated for physical injuries sustained and medical expenses incurred. Do not hesitate to call “Your Injury Attorney” at Southeastern Law Group, immediately to safeguard what is rightfully yours
864-285-3700.
South Carolina Auto Accident Laws
How Comparative Negligence Works
Suppose you were involved in a car accident in the upstate. You incurred injuries totaling $100,000. If you were 20% at fault, you could recover $80,000 in damages. If you were 40% at fault, you could recover $60,000 in damages. If you were 51% or more at fault, you would receive nothing in damages.
This law is very beneficial to drivers because even if the injured person was partly at fault, they can still receive compensation for their injuries. In some US states, a party at fault is immediately precluded from damages of any sort if they were found to be even in the least bit at fault.
When Insurance Companies Don't Pay Up
A person injured in a car accident can get compensated by the party at fault, their insurance company, or your own insurance company. However, insurance companies do not always pay their claims.
You may have heard of the phrase, “deny, delay, defend.” Insurance companies make money receiving premiums and then paying a few claims. In fact, their aim is to pay as little, if anything, in claims, as possible.
When you or your loved one have been injured in a car accident, the injuries sustained can be life-threatening. After years of paying insurance premiums, you need all the medical care and attention you rightfully deserve. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced Greenville / Spartanburg personal injury attorney who is ready to go the extra mile to ensure you get compensated for your injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Call us today
864-285-3700 Pets Injured In South Carolina Car Accidents
South Carolina laws view pets as property. If your pet is injured in a motor accident, it is possible to get compensation from the at-fault person’s insurance or your own insurance under the uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance.
Talk To An Experienced South Carolina Auto Accident
Attorney Today
Call us today for a free evaluation of your case
864-285-3700.