Auto collision injuries can prove catastrophic and life-altering. You may end up dealing with physical pain, financial difficulties, and the inability to get back to work after the accident.
Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always make the claim process as easy as you might like. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney helps you navigate your case and pursue compensation for your losses.
Common Causes of Car Crashes
Car accidents often occur because one driver behaves negligently on the road. That can mean deliberately ignoring traffic laws, such as speeding, running red lights, or failing to stop at stop signs. In other cases, collisions can result from dangerous behavior, like the following:
Driving While Distracted
Distracted driving is not just using a cell phone while behind the wheel; it is any behavior that takes the eyes, hands, or attention away from the task of driving.
Drunk or Drowsy Driving
Under South Carolina law, drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher cannot legally operate a motor vehicle. Driving while tired can create some of the same effects as driving while intoxicated, leaving a motorist unable to control their vehicle safely.
Road Rage and Reckless Driving
A raging driver may engage in deliberately aggressive behavior behind the wheel, raising the chances of an accident. Similarly, reckless driving can cause a crash. This includes tailgating, driving too fast for the area or conditions, or racing another motorist.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Failing to look before changing lanes or executing a lane change without enough room can lead to devastating sideswipe accidents. It also increases the risk of colliding with a smaller vehicle, like a motorcycle.
Failure to Yield
Not allowing the driver with the right of way to proceed first can interfere with traffic flow and lead to a collision.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Calhoun County can evaluate all possible causes of your crash and provide a better idea of who bears liability for your damages.
Filing a Claim After a Car Crash
In South Carolina, you have three years after the date of a car accident to file a claim for compensation to help cover the damages you sustained. Because South Carolina is an at-fault state, you will generally file a claim through the liable driver’s insurance company.
The compensation you recover can depend on several factors, including who caused the wreck, the coverage offered by their insurance policy, and the damages. However, most car accident claims include a monetary award for your medical bills, income losses, and pain and suffering.
A Calhoun County car collision attorney will review your specific damages and determine what compensation you should expect. Keep in mind that insurance companies may pressure you to accept a settlement offer that does not fit your needs, so you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Work with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a car crash, do not try to deal with the insurance company or navigate the claim process alone. This can lead to a less favorable outcome or an insufficient damage award.
Contact us online for a free consultation. We will review the losses you sustained and determine the best path to pursue compensation.
