The South Carolina Department of Insurance reports that the state sees an average of two distracted driving-related car crashes every hour. At Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, our car accident lawyers in Camden, SC have seen firsthand the damage that can result from these incidents. We have also helped many people who suffered injuries or lost loved ones in wrecks involving driver distraction and hold at-fault motorists accountable.
What To Do After a Distracted Driving Accident
The first step to take after a distracted driving accident that leaves you or someone you love with an injury is to seek prompt medical attention. Even low-speed car crashes have the potential to cause serious, potentially life-altering injuries. Also, not all car accident injuries are always readily apparent.
Some types of injuries, such as whiplash, do not always become identifiable until hours or even days after a wreck takes place. Seeking prompt medical attention helps ensure you receive the proper care you need to get better. It also creates a paper trail you may need to rely on later if you decide to file a claim against the responsible party.
Other steps to take after a distracted driving-related crash include documenting the crash scene and obtaining any statements from eyewitnesses who were present when the incident occurred. Our distracted driving accident lawyers in Camden, SC, can help ensure you cover all your bases in the aftermath of a crash and gather everything you need to help strengthen your case.
What Causes Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accidents result from a combination of factors. These include technological distractions, negligence and a general lack of awareness. The use of smartphones is an ongoing contributor to distracted driving-involved crashes. Many drivers text, call or check social media behind the wheel. The split attention between the road and the screen increases the risk of accidents, and the results are often deadly.
In addition to mobile distractions, multitasking is another common contributor to car wrecks involving distracted driving. Many people have busy schedules and as a result, find themselves eating or grooming behind the wheel.
Using in-vehicle entertainment or navigational systems also distracts motorists from the immediate task at hand, increasing the chances of a wreck.
Other passengers are also frequent contributors to accidents resulting from driver distraction. Younger, newer drivers may be especially susceptible to distraction caused by other passengers. Teenage drivers in particular may find themselves easily distracted by having other teens along for the ride. The more teens a young driver has the car, the higher the potential for distraction.
Even cognitive distractions, such as concerns about work or familial matters, can make distracted driving-related crashes more likely. Also, in some cases, more than one type of distraction is at play in a car wreck. Our distracted driving accident lawyers in Camden, SC, can help you identify all factors that contributed to your accident and show how another driver’s negligence caused or contributed to your wreck.
What South Carolina Distracted Driving Laws Say
South Carolina’s distracted driving laws assert that anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the vehicle’s controls is a distraction. SC Code Section 56-5-3890 says that motorists may not use cellphones or any other type of wireless electronic communication device to draft, send or read text-based communications while driving. This restriction applies to traditional texting as well as other forms of electronic messaging.
South Carolina also recommends taking other steps to help curb distracted driving across the state. While there are no laws in place that explicitly prohibit behaviors like eating or grooming behind the wheel, such actions are dangerous. They raise the chances of distracted driving-related wrecks.
Violations of South Carolina’s distracted driving laws may lead to fines and other penalties. These penalties may prove more severe if injuries, fatalities or property damage resulted from the wreck. Our distracted driving accident lawyers in Camden, SC, may be able to help you identify any violations of state laws that contributed to your crash so that you may use them as evidence of the other driver’s negligence.
How Our Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Camden, SC, Can Help
Our team has a firm understanding of the state’s negligence laws. We are also well-versed in the variables that often contribute or cause distracted driving-related car crashes. This extensive knowledge can help you navigate all aspects of your claim, from gathering photos, witness statements and other evidence to showcasing how the negligent behavior of the motorist who caused your crash was a direct violation of the state’s distracted driving laws.
Our team of knowledgeable, seasoned personal injury attorneys also has extensive experience working with insurance companies. This can reduce the chances of insurers making lowball offers in the aftermath of a crash. It is common for insurance companies to rely on certain tactics to try to minimize how much they have to pay you. However, our team members may be able to help you identify these tactics and otherwise figure out how to maximize your payout.
Finally, our distracted driving accident lawyers in Camden, SC, can help you identify the various losses you or a loved one experience in the aftermath of a distracted driving wreck, which might include financial, professional and other losses. This ensures that you consider all the ways the incident might impact your life so you can make a case for appropriate compensation.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer Now
Emotions often run high following a distracted driving-related car crash, and you may not know where to turn. At Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, our distracted driving accident lawyers in Camden, SC, have a firm grasp of the various steps involved in navigating a personal injury claim. We have helped many people who suffered an injury or lost a loved one because of another motorist’s negligence figure out what to do in the aftermath.
There is a statute of limitations that limits personal injury claims in South Carolina, so call 803-432-4391 to discuss your case and identify the next steps.