Greenville Car Accident Lawyers

Skilled Legal Representation for Car Accident Claims in South Carolina 

Each day, thousands of people suffer injuries in car accidents. Collisions are the leading cause of serious injury and death in the United States, including right here in Greenville and throughout South Carolina. Far too many of these tragedies could be avoided by merely driving safely. Instead, avoidable accidents are reducing countless lives to rubble.

Car accidents can stem from various causes, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence, or reckless behavior. Understanding the root causes allows for targeted prevention strategies. Moreover, improving road infrastructure and implementing stricter traffic laws can significantly reduce these avoidable incidents. Community education and awareness campaigns play a vital role in encouraging safer driving habits statewide, aiming to diminish the number of future accidents.

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our Greenville car accident attorneys at SBLTV are ready to help you seek justice—whether your case involves a commercial vehicle, auto product, underage drinking, an out-of-state accident, or uninsured motorists.

Have you been injured in a car accident in Greenville? Call Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC today at (803) 599-2207 or contact us online to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.

Types of Car Accidents & Injuries

Car accident attorney cases involve several types of causes and factors. In most cases, the ultimate factor in these collisions’ origins is negligent driving. This means that the driver did not exercise reasonable caution and care and that their acts or omissions led to the accident. You may therefore, in almost all cases, hold the other driver accountable for your injuries even if they were not criminally negligent or simply made a mistake.

Understanding the common types of crashes, such as rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, and pedestrian accidents, can better prepare you for potential risks. Each type of crash has unique characteristics and common injury patterns. For instance, rear-end collisions often result in whiplash injuries, while T-bone accidents frequently cause more severe injuries due to the side impact. Pedestrian accidents often lead to critical outcomes for the pedestrian involved. Familiarizing yourself with these can guide safer driving practices.

Because these cases can involve numerous parties and often result in severe and even life-threatening injuries, it is essential that you get veteran legal counsel for your case. No matter what type of car collision in Greenville you incurred, our lawyers at Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC  can help you seek a fair settlement.

Intersection Accidents

Perhaps the most common accident after collisions on a highway, interstate, or simple roadway is a crash in an intersection. Many Greenville car collisions happen in these areas since one or more drivers must gauge the flow of traffic, traffic signals and signs, the speed of oncoming cars, and other instructional cues while responding with correct turning, stopping, merging, or other driving activity.

Intersection accidents are particularly dangerous because they often occur at higher speeds and involve multiple vehicles entering from different directions. Ensuring intersections are well-lit and clearly marked can help prevent these accidents. Technological advancements, like the introduction of traffic signal sensors and automated systems, also play a crucial role in enhancing intersection safety. By understanding the intricacies of intersection dynamics, drivers can better anticipate potential hazards and take necessary precautions to minimize risks.

Hit and Run Accidents

In hit and runs, the negligent driver who caused the accident flees the scene, intentionally refusing to accept responsibility for their dangerous driving. Sometimes, these drivers speed away because they had been drinking and therefore do not want to face a DUI charge. At other times, negligent drivers who lack proper insurance flee the scene in order to avoid getting caught and facing the penalties for not having auto insurance. Some hit-and-run drivers take off because they lack the necessary license to operate a motor vehicle and know that they will face penalties.

In addition to legal consequences, hit and run accidents can leave victims in vulnerable situations, often with significant injuries and no immediate help. Prompt reporting to law enforcement and seeking immediate medical attention are crucial steps for victims. Furthermore, installing surveillance systems and increasing public awareness can deter potential offenders and aid in quick identification and apprehension of hit and run drivers.

Highway & Interstate Accidents 

Many of the most horrific and even fatal car collisions in Greenville occur on the various highways and interstates weaving in and out of our city. In these situations, cars that get involved in highway collisions may come from many points and directions. They may hit one another as they move forward on our roadways or spin out after scraping against bridge pylons or protective guardrails since the car or truck going too fast that side-swiped and veered them into a dangerously fast, spinning, or upturned position.

To minimize highway and interstate accidents, proper vehicle maintenance and adherence to speed limits are crucial. Additionally, driver fatigue is a common factor in these accidents; thus, making regular stops and avoiding long drives during nighttime can be effective preventive measures. Public awareness campaigns on safe highway driving, focusing on the dangers of tailgating and lane changes at high speeds, further contribute to reducing these accidents.

Drunk Driver Accidents

The most common type of car collision may be the incident that occurs on a public street, usually in a Greenville neighborhood. This is where thousands of car wrecks per day happen. Auto vehicles are involved in crashes for numerous reasons:

• Improper lane usage
• Failure to yield, use a turn signal, or stop at a stop sign
• Tailgating
• Using other poor driving practices

Drunk driving remains a significant issue, impacting lives across communities. Beyond legal penalties, awareness programs emphasizing the severe consequences of DUI are vital in discouraging such behavior. Initiatives like increased DUI checkpoints and stricter enforcement, coupled with public engagements and education on designated driving, can profoundly reduce occurrences. Communities must remain vigilant, collectively working towards safer, DUI-free streets.

The most uncommon but dangerous car wrecks in South Carolina involve a drive-by shooting. In these scenarios, a motor vehicle is used to try to harm or kill one or more people who then suffer injuries while not in a car or truck.

Head-On Collisions

Think about it: while you are driving, and the many types of potential car collisions you might face. You traverse busy city streets, quiet country roads, and super highways. All it takes is one mistake by any driver or even a thoughtless act of failed judgment or misperception, and the result is a car collision. Ranging from fender benders to serious high-speed impact crashes, these incidents occur every day here in town, causing misery to many. Every vehicle on a Greenville road is moving not only through the scenic streets but passing numerous distractions and barriers that can endanger any driver or passenger. Inevitably, with the statistical odds against many people, car wrecks of all types and avoidable proportions occur every few moments, particularly over a busy afternoon or morning commute and during high volume holidays here in Greenville.

Head-on collisions are among the deadliest types of crashes, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. These accidents typically occur when a vehicle crosses the centerline or travels the wrong way on a roadway. Defensive driving techniques, such as maintaining a safe distance and staying vigilant in high-risk areas, are essential preventive measures. Upgrading road designs to include median barriers can also significantly reduce the risk of head-on collisions.

Rear-End Accidents

If someone has struck you in the rear with their vehicle, you may have a legitimate claim for injuries as a result. Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of crashes and are often the result of another motorist’s negligence. If you or someone you love has been harmed in a rear-end accident you did not cause, do not wait to talk to an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at SBLTV. You deserve to have a legal professional on your team, fighting for your fair recovery of compensation.

Rear-end accidents typically occur due to distracted driving, tailgating, or abrupt stops. Technology, such as automatic braking systems and collision warning systems, can help prevent these accidents. Educating drivers on maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding distractions while driving is equally important in mitigating rear-end collisions. Regular vehicle maintenance, like ensuring brake lights are functional, further contributes to reducing rear-end accidents.

South Carolina Car Accident Statistics

In 2017, there were more than 141,800 total collisions across the state of South Carolina, and many of them were in Greenville. That same year, nearly 1,030 people lost their lives, and approximately 57,700 people got hurt in car crashes throughout the state of South Carolina. In Greenville alone, car collisions were responsible for over 9,500 of all accidents and nearly 33 vehicle collisions each day. These wrecks in our city also resulted in dozens of fatal auto crashes and numerous life-threatening and life-altering injuries every week. Most disturbing, car, and truck collisions here have only increased since those 2017 totals.

To help you avoid common types of Greenville car and truck accidents, our lawyers outlined some of the most important statistics and factors.

• In South Carolina in 2017, auto collisions injured 57,000+ people, which equated to about 5 injuries per hour.
• Greenville car collisions overall equated to nearly 26% of the top 2 worst counties.
• In Greenville in 2017, there were 55 DUI car accidents, but several others happen due to other forms of alcohol intoxication.
• Distraction-affected crashes happen to 43 victims each day in South Carolina. Greenville County ranked 2nd for number of distracted auto collisions, accounting for over 460 victims in the area.
• 52 total people lost their lives in Greenville County due to negligent driving, but even more lives were sadly taken due to drunk and distracted driving and related accidents.
• Every 2.7 days, a vehicle crashes into a building in South Carolina, including a home, restaurant, or other structure. Anderson County had the single-worst change of vehicle-to-building collisions, practically having triple the amount of neighboring counties.

Statewide, in 2018, there were more than 141,800 total car collisions, which equated to just over 10 traffic accidents per hour. Yes, on average, every 6 minutes, a car crash—possibly with serious injury or even death—occurs on a South Carolina road. With the advent of multiple smartphone apps, and more portable technology, one immediate right turn, left turn, or just a quick touch of a smartphone can lead to many tragic incidents in Greenville, at speeds that put many drivers and passengers at risk for tremendous injuries. It is clear that the Greenville area does not just share its fair share of horrible accidents as compared to other South Carolina areas. The actual scary car crash rates, and all types of them, seem to be increasing each year overall, as well.

Common Causes & Prevention Strategies

The causes of car accidents are numerous and often interconnected. Distracted driving, which includes anything from texting to adjusting the radio, remains one of the most prevalent threats on the road today. In Greenville, efforts to combat this include local ordinance enforcement and awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers associated with taking eyes off the road. Educating young drivers in high schools and community forums about safe driving practices also plays a crucial role in prevention.

Another significant factor in traffic accidents is impaired driving. Greenville has seen increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints aimed at catching and deterring drunk drivers. To further prevent accidents, community initiatives encourage designated drivers and the use of ride-sharing apps as safer options for those under the influence. These comprehensive efforts are vital, not only in reducing accident rates but in saving countless lives each year across South Carolina.

What is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Greenville?

In many cases, you have THREE (3) years from the date of your car crash to file a court case. However, if you’re seeking third-party benefits—filing a liability claim against another driver or their insurer—the deadline falls on the THREE (3)-year anniversary of the day you were in the car accident, meaning when your crash initially occurred. This may be different if you are in an accident with a motorcycle or even a golf cart. Always consult with an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer to get legal advice specifically about your situation so that you can preserve your right to file suit within the statutory deadline.

If you fail to file your claim in court within the statute of limitations, the court will likely refuse to hear your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation in this manner. Additionally, the other side to your car accident claim may simply use this as a defense and present it in court.

It may not be hard to see why filing your case sooner rather than later can be extremely important. In addition to preserving the viability of your South Carolina car accident claim, seeking an action quickly can do much to help your case succeed. As time goes on, people’s memory may fade, and other evidence may not be as easily obtained.

Navigating the statute of limitations is crucial, as it can significantly impact your ability to recover damages. Each accident scenario poses unique challenges that can alter the deadline, like accidents involving government vehicles, which might have shorter filing times. Understanding these intricacies underlines the importance of early legal intervention to ensure all specifics of the statute are adhered to.

Legal Representation from a Greenville Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor concussions and whiplash to severe, life-threatening head trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. In particularly severe accidents, it may be necessary to total one or more vehicles. These crashes often involve a combination of factors, including the natural forces exerted by two colliding cars. Drivers and passengers, regardless of their role in the accident, can experience life-altering injuries. Speeding, distracted driving, and reckless behavior are frequently contributing factors that increase the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes for everyone involved.

Those who have been severely injured in a crash can be temporarily or permanently disabled. The person behind the wheel may never again be middle-aged people, young professionals, hard-working mothers, and fathers all over Greenville. They will be forced to find a new profession or a new place to live or do their work due to a life-altering disability. Car collisions can change lives overnight.

Many law firms may not adequately represent these victims of one or more car collisions in Greenville. As soon as any auto collision involves an injury to any driver or any passenger with notable company assets, policies, procedures, and other matters to consider, large insurance companies will likely get to work protecting their bottom line.

Their highly trained and effective litigators are paid top-dollar salaries to fight your car accident claim and to make sure that the liable parties’ insurance policy pays you as little as possible. Money qualified as vehicle damages, compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings of lost hours, long-term disability or extensive vocational or other employee benefits, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. In pursuit of that goal, insurers will often send a team of investigators and claims adjusters to the accident scene as soon as they get the news of the auto collision.

Their team may be able to arrange things to limit your legal right to file a car accident claim and to seek a fair recovery of compensation. Since time is of the essence in any car accident claim, it is important that you move quickly to hire an experienced Anderson car accident attorney following your motor vehicle collision.

Car accident lawyers typically engage in activities like collecting all pertinent evidence, communicating with insurance adjusters, and ensuring claims are filed correctly and on time. Such comprehensive involvement can significantly influence the case's outcome, helping to secure fair compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses. Additionally, their expertise offers peace of mind to victims, allowing them to focus on recovery.