Car accidents occur on a daily basis around the country. These accidents can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. In the United States in a recent year, more than 30,000 people died in vehicle collisions and more than 2 million people were injured. In the same year, 767 people died on South Carolina roads.
When you are involved in a car accident in South Carolina, you can attribute the accident to any number of reasons. Here are the top seven.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of accident in our state. From eating behind the wheel to talking on a cellphone, people do all manner of things behind the wheel that takes their concentration off of the road that lies ahead.
2. Drunk Driving
The second-leading cause of car accidents is drunk driving. Just three years ago, 335 people were killed in the state in accidents that were contributed to alcohol.
3. Reckless Driving
Driving too fast, dodging in and out of lanes of traffic and driving in a way that is not practical for road conditions can all be considered reckless.
4. Fatigue
Do you drive when you are tired? If so, you are not alone. People, especially those who commute, drive when they are too tired to do so. People who are tired have the same delayed reaction times as those who are driving drunk.
5. Tailgating
If you are in the habit of driving too close to someone’s bumper, get over it. It takes at least two seconds to come to a stop behind the person in front of you. If you don’t have that cushion between your car and the one ahead of you, you’ll be colliding if they slam on their brakes.
6. Teens
Teenagers are inexperienced drivers and their lack of knowledge can contribute to accidents.
7. Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
When you fail to pay attention to the cars coming up alongside you that have the right of way, you are highly likely to cause an accident.
If you are involve in a car accident in South Carolina, you need the experience of a reputable attorney on your side. Call our offices today for a free initial consultation. We will give you advice based on our knowledge of local law and help you make the decision that is right for you and your family.