Traffic fatalities were the highest they have been in the last FIVE years in South Carolina last year according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS). Approximately 1005 fatal traffic accidents resulted in 1080 deaths—in South Carolina alone. The most recent data from SCDPS also suggests that a traffic accident occurs in South Carolina about every 4.3 minutes. Reread that again. The statistics are alarming.
While the common culprits are speeding and driving under the influence, there is an ever-increasing number of distracted drivers due to technology. From texting or surfing the internet on their smart phones to messing with the new gadgets on their vehicles, distracted drivers are everywhere.
Now that you have seen the statistics and causes of most auto accidents, lets go over what you should do if you have been injured in an automobile accident in South Carolina:
- Call the police and make sure a proper report is filed and evidence is preserved.
For example, did someone else witness the auto accident? Who was marked at fault for the accident? Did the police photograph the scene and your injuries? Did police conduct an standardized field sobriety tests for the other driver if alcohol or drugs were suspected? Finally, make sure to get the other driver’s information, including insurance and contact information.
- Seek medical treatment immediately.
The main injuries we have seen as personal injury attorneys are spinal and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries and concussions, facial injuries and scarring as well as other broken bones or sprains. As personal injury lawyers, we have seen far too often where a client has been injured after an accident but is deceived into thinking that there is actually nothing wrong at first. He or she then declined medical treatment, only to find out too late that the impact from the crash caused a traumatic brain injury. You see, traumatic brain injuries can be misleading at first because often it presents itself as if nothing is wrong. Had our office been contacted right away, we would have strongly urged them to seek medical treatment immediately. The same scenario can occur for spinal cord and neck injuries. Pain may seem minimal or nonexistent at first, often due to shock from the accident. However, over time (or even suddenly), injuries can turn serious and cause you to end up in a worse position than you would have been if you had been treated right away. It is important to continue to follow up with any specialists or primary care physicians as recommended.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
Before contacting your own insurance company, you should seek the advice of an automobile accident attorney. In the heat of the moment, statements can be misconstrued and can impact the outcome of your claim. Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing the amount they compensate someone for an auto accident. Trained and experienced personal injury lawyers understand how to properly put together a demand packet and negotiate the best settlement for you.
People who suffer catastrophic injuries may need months, years or a lifetime of medical care. You may not realize how the injury will affect you in the future but that is where our experience as personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. We have the skills to negotiate aggressively or to take your case to trial. At Young & Young, Attorneys at Law, we know how to fight insurance companies and other negligent parties for the compensation our clients need. You and your family can rely on our commitment to holding liable parties accountable for the damage they cause. Please call us today for a free consultation.