While they are commonly referred to as car accidents, the reality is that nearly all motor vehicle collisions are not accidents. They are the direct result of carelessness, inattention, or negligence.
If you were hurt in a Sumter car accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party who caused the crash, seeking compensation for your medical bills, future cost of care, lost wages, and other damages. Marc Brown has significant experience helping clients with their claims or civil lawsuits in such matters and is here to provide this service for you and your family in this time of need.
Top Three Causes of Sumter Car Crashes
- Distracted Drivers—Distracted driving is a contributing cause in the vast majority of car crashes. It involves doing anything other than driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, looking up directions, eating, drinking coffee, adjusting the radio, or engaging with the vehicle’s infotainment screen. More drivers than ever allow themselves to be seriously distracted, illogically assuming that their vehicle’s safety features will either prevent a crash from happening or that they will somehow avoid causing a crash even as they text and drive.
- Aggressive Drivers—Aggressive driving encompasses more than road rage. It includes speeding, tailgating, intentionally cutting others off, or aggressively vying for space, intentionally slowing down, or doing anything else to “get even” with another road user. As you might have noticed, aggressive driving is rampant in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic; stressed-out drivers feel entitled to speed and take their aggression out on others now more than ever.
- Drunk Drivers—Approximately one-third of all fatal car crashes in South Carolina are caused by drunk drivers. The only good thing about being involved in a car crash caused by a drunk driver is the ease of proving that they were at fault. In cases of trucking DUI accidents, the consequences are often more severe, necessitating experienced truck accident legal representation in Sumter to handle the significant damages and complex liability issues involved.
Some of the common car accidents in Sumter include motor vehicle accidents that are comprised of cars, trucks, semi-trucks, bicycles, and motorcycles. According to the SCDPS, South Carolina had an increase of 4.8% from 2017 to 2018. Being involved in a car accident can be destructive, overwhelming, and financially challenging, as you may have to face mounting medical bills that you might not be able to pay. The damage to the car will have extra expenses on top of that. Car accidents are not only physically devastating, they are also financially overwhelming. The impact they cause is far-reaching and, in some cases, permanent.
They might lose their loved ones, or the victim could end up facing an injury that is life-changing and irreplaceable. Some people involved in car accidents can never return to their work, which affects their lives tremendously. Things could continue to get worse unless the victim is given some compensation.
In difficult times like these, you need a competent lawyer to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Cases We Handle
At Marc Brown Law Firm, we have significant experience handling a wide range of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving pedestrians, bicyclists, commercial trucks, rideshare vehicles such as Uber or Lyft, motorcycles, and passenger vehicles.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, we can help. Our firm will conduct a thorough investigation into your case on your behalf. We contact witnesses, medical providers, the police, and insurance companies. We will do everything possible to build a strong claim for damages, uncover all available insurance coverage, and help you secure the full compensation you rightfully deserve.
How Liability for a Car Accident is Established in South Carolina
Determining liability in a car accident case in South Carolina involves understanding several key legal principles. At the heart of these cases is the concept of negligence, which must be established to hold someone liable for damages. Negligence refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person.
In South Carolina, contributory negligence also plays a role. This principle allows for the possibility that more than one party can be at fault for an accident, including:
- Drivers: If a driver’s reckless or negligent behavior causes an accident, they can be held liable.
- Vehicle Owners: The owner of a vehicle can be liable if they knowingly allowed an unfit driver to operate their car.
- Employers: If a commercial driver causes an accident while performing their job duties, the employer can be held liable.
- Manufacturers: A vehicle or parts manufacturer can be held liable if a defect contributed to the accident.
Under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule (South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 15, Chapter 38), if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Damages in a Sumter Car Accident Claim
The amount of compensation you will be able to collect depends on how much insurance the liable party(s) were carrying, as well as the severity of your damages. Damages include:
- Hospital bills
- Future medical care expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional turmoil
- Loss of joy of life
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity due to long-term or permanent disability
The Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Claims in South Carolina
The statute of limitations for car accident claims in South Carolina is generally three years from the date of the accident, as outlined in South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 15-3-530.
It is also essential to note that this timeframe can be affected by various factors. For instance, if the accident involves a government vehicle, a notice of claim must often be filed within a much shorter period, sometimes as short as six months.
Moreover, the statute of limitations pertains to the filing of a lawsuit, not an insurance claim. An insurance claim should be initiated much sooner to allow for adequate investigation and negotiation. Delaying these actions can significantly impact your ability to recover damages.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Sumter
- Ensure Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention: The first priority is your safety. Move to a safe location if possible and seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Documenting your medical treatment is crucial for any future car accident claim.
- Call Law Enforcement: Report the accident to local law enforcement. A police report can be vital in establishing the facts and liability for the accident.
- Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident. This includes taking photos, noting the road conditions, and gathering witness statements. Also, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Provide them with the necessary details but avoid making any statements that could be used against you later.
- Consult with a Sumter Car Accident Lawyer: Engaging an experienced Sumter car accident lawyer, like Marc Brown, can ensure that your rights are protected. They can also help you navigate the complexities of the insurance claims process and legal proceedings, maximizing your potential compensation.
Why Choose Marc Brown?
The lawyer you hire after a motor vehicle accident can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.
In this situation, victims require an experienced, caring, and effective lawyer to fight for them. Most importantly, it is essential that the person can have confidence and trust in their lawyer. Our law firm was established to deliver focused and attentive legal representation to all of our clients facing legal issues.
Before opening the Marc Brown Law Firm, lawyer Marc Brown used to work for a national law firm to defend giant corporations and insurance companies. He gained experience working on both sides of the case. This practice gave him the knowledge and skill to understand how insurance companies assess claims and the things they look for to increase the amount of money they would pay as a settlement offer. Marc is a valuable attorney as he brings his experience of a large law firm to his personalized and smaller firm.
Our law firm takes pride in the fact that all our lawyers work to their full capacity to bring justice to the victims. We do not charge our clients unless we win their case, and since we understand the financial pressure a victim could be going through, we provide them with affordable prices for their cases.
How a Sumter Car Accident Attorney Can Help You Win Your Claim
Negligent drivers and their insurance companies almost always try to deflect blame, or at least attempt to talk you down from the amount they know your case is actually worth. A personal injury attorney prevents this from happening, ensuring that you are paid what you are owed. Sumter car accident attorney Marc Brown has handled nearly every type of car collision, severity of injury, and insurance company, and knows how to get the results you need and want. Call us today at (803) 848-0008 to schedule a free consultation.