Easley, SC Car Accident Attorney

Being involved in a South Carolina car wreck is a traumatic experience. In many cases, Easley, SC car accidents are caused by a driver who was negligent in some way.  The at-fault driver could have been texting, speeding, eating, or fatigued, but if you’re injured, you are the one who will pay the price.

Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents in Easley, South Carolina

Some of the most common types of car accidents in South Carolina include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Rear-end Collisions. These types of accidents generally occur when a driver is speeding, distracted, or following too close behind you. Normally, rear-end collisions are considered to be the fault of the driver that rear-ends the other car, but their insurance company may question the validity of your claim or suggest that you were to blame.
2. Head-On Accidents. Head-on collisions in South Carolina can result in receiving serious injuries. They can occur when a car crosses over the centerline into another car’s lane and crashes into the front of an oncoming vehicle. These types of accidents can be caused by drivers who are intoxicated, distracted, or speeding. In many cases, these types of accidents are fatal.
3. High-Speed Collisions. Motor vehicles exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions are not an unusual sight on South Carolina roads, but speeding is just one example of being negligent while driving. When a car going at a high rate of speed hits another car, the resulting injuries and damage can be extremely severe.
4. Drunk Driving.  In South Carolina, a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or above is considered to be driving while impaired. There’s an even lower limit for drivers under the age of 21 and drivers of commercial vehicles.  Someone who is driving drunk is dangerous, and it can lead to head-on collisions, high-speed accidents, and other types of fatal accidents.
5. Distracted Driving. Drivers taking their eyes off South Carolina roads for even a few seconds can cause an accident. Texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, drinking, changing a radio station, talking to other passengers in the vehicle such as kids or pets, and adjusting navigation devices are all considered to be distracted driving.  Distracted drivers in South Carolina often cause rear-end accidents, T-bone collisions, or deadly head-on collisions.
6. T-Bone Collisions.  A T-bone collision is when one car crashes into the side of another car and is sometimes referred to as being hit broadside or side-impact accidents. These types of wrecks are most common at South Carolina intersections, but can also occur in parking lots or at the end of a driveway.  Drivers and passengers can be severely injured by a T-bone accident and incur injuries such as broken bones, neck, back and shoulder injuries, and traumatic brain injuries just to name a few.
7. Fatigued Drivers. Driving while fatigued or drowsy is a problem on South Carolina roads. Drivers who are tired have slower reaction times and/or impaired judgment. Sometimes drivers even fall asleep at the wheel and put other drivers and their loved ones at great risk.

Common Injuries in an Easley, South Carolina Car Accident

While there is a wide array of injuries you or your loved ones could suffer as a result of a car accident on South Carolina roads, there are a few categories that are more common than others.  Some of the more common types of injuries include:

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries.  Car accidents in Easley, SC frequently cause people to suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and can be one of the most devastating and debilitating injuries a person can suffer. In a South Carolina car wreck, TBIs occur when a person’s head stops moving, but their brain continues to be jostled and collides with the inside of their skull. These close-head injuries can range from a mild concussion to brain bleeds and skull fractures. Some traumatic brain injuries are so severe that they require surgery and may leave a person or their loved one with permanent damage. A few of the most common symptoms of traumatic brain injury include sleep issues, rapid mood swings, memory loss, anxiety, and depression.
2. Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries. In South Carolina car accidents, it is quite common for a person to suffer a back, neck, or spinal cord injury.  Neck injuries such as whiplash or a strained neck can occur if a passenger’sr head snaps back after coming to a sudden stop. The force of a car accident may also cause a person’s body to twist or absorb high amounts of pressure. This can lead to spinal cord problems, herniated discs, sprains, strains, and even vertebrae fractures. A serious spinal cord injury could lead to numbness or even paralysis.
3. Internal Injuries.  Seat belts, air bags, and other restraint devices can all cause internal injuries in a car wreck in South Carolina.  Vital organs such as spleen, liver, lungs, and kidneys can all suffer an injury that requires hospitalization or even surgery.
4. Facial Injuries. In an Easley, South Carolina car accident, you or a loved one may suffer facial injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises from broken glass and other debris.  In some cases, people can suffer facial fractures, lacerations, jaw injuries, or dental issues that may result in stitches, scarring, or even require surgery.
5. Chest and Internal Organ Injuries. A car accident on Easley, South Carolina roads could chest injuries or damage to a person’s internal organs due to the impact of the collision, or contact with seat belts, air bags, or other restraining devices.
6. Death. An extremely serious Easley, South Carolina car accident could result in a person’s death or the death of a loved one. If this happens, the deceased person’s family is able to file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible. In a wrongful death case, the deceased person’s family can sue for medical expenses, funeral costs, and the loss of financial and emotional support.

What to do After You’ve Been Involved in an Easley, South Carolina Car Accident

Being in a South Carolina car accident can be a frightening and traumatic experience. However, if you are able to despite your injuries, there are certain things you should do after being involved in an Easley, SC motor vehicle accident:

1. Call the Police. Report the accident to the Easley, South Carolina police. Advise them if emergency medical personnel is needed for yourself, your passengers, and/or the other driver(s).
2. Get Driver and Witness Information. If you can, get the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved in the Easley, SC car accident.  You should also try to obtain the name and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
3. Take Photographs.  If you are able, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, the damage to the other person’s vehicle, and of the scene of the collision.
4. Get Medical Attention. After your Easley, SC car accident, go see a doctor or go to the emergency room to be checked out as soon as possible.  In many cases, symptoms of injuries don’t show up right away. This step is not only important for your health and safety, it starts a medical record of the accident that you may need later to support your claim for damages.
5. Contact an Easley, SC Car Accident Attorney. It’s important for you to meet with a South Carolina personal injury attorney who can help you evaluate your case and advise you of your options.  It may be possible that you’ve already been contacted by the other party’s attorney or insurance claims adjuster. It’s important that you don’t give them any type of statement, whether it be recorded or written until you talk to an attorney. Anything you say could be used against you if your case goes to trial.
6. Don’t Settle for Less.  Expenses such as medical bills and lost wages can add up fast after you’ve been injured in an Easley, SC car accident.  In addition, you may have future medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity claims. Insurance companies are notorious for offering the lowest amount of money necessary to settle claims, and you don’t want to take less than you deserve. If the insurance company approaches you with a settlement offer, don’t take their offer until your injuries have fully recovered, and don’t take less than you really need.  It is best to discuss your case with a South Carolina car wreck lawyer before accepting any settlement.

The Benefits of Hiring an Easley, South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer

A knowledgeable and skilled South Carolina car accident attorney will understand the law and be able to evaluate your individual case to best advise you regarding liability for your collision and the fair measure of your damages.  Also, your South Carolina car accident lawyer understands the rules, procedures, and filing regulations of the Easley court system.
Perhaps the biggest advantage to having an Easley, SC car accident attorney is that your lawyer will take the burden of your case off your shoulders and be a strong advocate for you in dealing with the insurance company and court system.  If you are confident that your attorney is fighting hard to get you the monetary compensation you deserve, then you can focus on recovering from your injuries.