Florence, SC Car Accident Lawyer
Car cars are scary experiences that can cause very serious injuries. Victims of car accidents often face lengthy recovery periods where they are not able to do the things they want to, will have to undergo medical procedures, and will face other hardships. On top of all that, the cost of treating injuries sustained in a car crash is often very high, which can be very distressing to many victims.
If you got injured in a motor vehicle accident, we can help. Our lawyers have handled hundreds of car accident cases, so we have the skills, professionalism, and determination to see your case all the way through and get you the financial compensation you deserve.
Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s car accident lawyers at (803) 219-4906 to get a free case analysis.
Types of Car Crashes in Florence, SC
While it may seem like an odd detail to focus on, detailing the type of car accident you experienced can help your claim in a couple of ways. First, it helps focus the facts of your case and gives our car accident lawyers a strong foundation to work off of. Second, certain accidents are more likely to happen for certain reasons, so categorizing the type of accident you experienced can help determine who you sue and other important parts of your claim.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions happen when two cars traveling towards each other collide. Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous for drivers, as these collisions are more likely to impact that area. While head-on collisions can happen for many reasons, they are frequently the result of drunk driving, distracted driving, or drowsy driving.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision can mean one of two things. First, a car crashes into a motorist in front of them. Second, a driver puts their car in reverse and hits someone behind them. The former can happen because a driver is unpredictably stopping and starting their car or speeding up and slowing down. The latter often happens because a driver is not paying attention or thinks they are “safe,” like in a parking lot.
T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone accident refers to when one car perpendicularly impacts another, forming a “T” shape at the moment of impact. These accidents can be particularly dangerous because cars are not necessarily set up to receive side impacts as effectively as impacts to the front or rear. Consequently, injuries to victims of T-bone accidents are often much more serious.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Some car accidents may involve only one vehicle. Superficially, these accidents may appear to be due to the driver’s inexperience or carelessness. However, that is often not the case. Vehicle defects, road conditions, and the actions of other motorists can cause single-vehicle accidents or accidents that initially appear to involve only one car.
Causes of Car Accidents in Florence, SC
Once we know the type of car accident you experienced, we can work towards figuring out the causes of your particular accident. You need to prove that the defendant caused your accident to get damages, so it is important to understand how car crashes take place to have a successful personal injury claim.
Driver Negligence
Driver negligence is a very common cause of car crashes. Drivers are negligent when they do not follow the rules of the road or otherwise act unreasonably. You can show that a driver was negligent by proving that they violated a traffic law. Showing that a driver acted unreasonably needs to be done on a case-by-case basis, and the ultimate determination will be up to the jury.
Dangerous Vehicle Designs
Some car accidents happen or are made worse because the cars involved are designed poorly. When vehicles are designed in a way that makes them dangerous when used in their intended manner, they are considered “defective.” Examples of design defects that could lead to an accident include vulnerable gas tanks or ineffective driver-assist software.
Bad Vehicle Repairs
If a car is worked on by a mechanic and that mechanic screws up, that could lead to an accident. For example, if you take your car in to get your brakes changed, and that mechanic does not install them correctly, they may fail you at a crucial moment, and you could get in a crash. In that case, you would be able to sue that mechanic shop for incorrectly installing brakes and causing your accident.
Poor Road Conditions
Car accidents can happen because of potholes, strewn-about debris, defective guardrails, and other dangerous road conditions. Generally, state and municipal entities are responsible for keeping roads safe, so you can sue them if their failure to do so causes an accident. There also may be independent companies contracted out to work on roads that you may be able to sue.
Damages from Florence, SC Car Accidents
In your claim, you also have to specify what you are seeking in damages. Your damages reflect the harm done to you by the defendant. If you are successful in your claim, the jury awards you an amount of financial compensation they deem appropriate. That being said, it is important to explain what you are seeking damages for so that the jury can make a good decision.
Things you can get damages for include medical bills, damage to your car, and lost pay from missed time at work. You can support your claims for these things through various records of these expenses. You can also get damages for things that probably do not have a paper trail showing their value, like physical pain or emotional distress. While you will not have bills to show the value of something like “pain,” our lawyers can help the jury understand the value of those things in your claim and get you the compensation you need.
Chat with Our Florence, SC Car Accident Lawyers Today
Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s car accident lawyers can be reached at (803) 219-4906 for free case analyses.