Car accidents occur on South Carolina’s roads every day. Many of these collisions are rear-end car crashes that often leave survivors with damaged vehicles, personal injuries, and lost job security.
When someone’s negligence causes a rear-end car accident in Orangeburg, a dedicated auto accident attorney could explain the steps survivors should take to recover damages. A legal professional at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda is available to support you through every step of the claims process.
Rear-End Car Crashes Can Be Severe
Many collisions are caused by an at-fault driver crashing into the back of another vehicle. Some common causes of rear-end car accidents related to a driver’s negligence include:
- Exceeding the legally posted speed limit
- Improper lane changing
- Driving below the legally posted speed limit
- Not paying attention to the road
- Driving while drunk or under the influence of illegal substances
- Problems with a vehicle and severe weather conditions
The most common injuries sustained from rear-end car collisions in South Carolina are injuries to the neck, such as whiplash, as well as injuries to the spinal cord and head. Catastrophic injuries can create cognitive challenges that negatively impact a survivor’s quality of life. To recover damages for these types of injuries, a victim will likely have to go back and forth with medical providers, different types of insurance companies, and attorneys representing the at-fault driver. An Orangeburg rear-end car collision attorney could use their legal knowledge, experience, and investigative tools to fight for appropriate compensation from a negligent driver.
Determining Negligence in Rear-End Auto Collisions
It is important to know that when rear-end car crashes occur, it can be unexpectedly challenging to determine who is at fault. Many drivers might assume that the responsible party is always and automatically the rear driver who hits the back of another car. However, these civil disputes can become rather difficult because South Carolina has a modified comparative negligence rule.
According to S.C. Code Ann. § 14:38:15, a negligent driver can escape responsibility for a crash when the negligent driver bears less than fifty percent of fault. This means that if the person bringing the lawsuit can prove the other driver is at least 51% responsible for the collision, they can recover monetary damages for injuries, medical bills, and inability to work. A responsible car collision attorney could provide aggressive representation to maximize the amount of monetary damages a survivor recovers from a negligent driver. An Orangeburg lawyer could further explain the concept of modified comparative negligence and how it may impact a particular rear-end car accident claim.
Contact an Orangeburg Attorney When You Are Involved in a Rear-End Car Crash
After a rear-end car crash, your safety and protection are the highest priority. Call 911 and follow the instructions of law enforcement and medical professionals. After that is taken care of — and the police report is filed — you should contact an attorney.
An accident attorney helps survivors pursue compensation from liable parties to the fullest extent allowable under the law. Call or email to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a rear-end car accident in Orangeburg to file your claim within the necessary legal deadlines.
