Charleston Rear-End Collision Lawyer

A rear-end collision car accident in Charleston is a common type of accident that results in the driver of a car that causes a rear-end collision usually being charged under the statute that prohibits vehicles from following too closely. Rear-end collisions can have serious repercussions, and those involved in accidents may be entitled to legal compensation if their accident was due to the negligence of another. Inattention, tailgating, and texting are common causes for rear-end collisions involving negligent parties.

If you have been in an accident, you should contact a Charleston rear-end collision lawyer as soon as possible to begin your case. A skilled Charleston auto accident lawyer can be essential help in fighting for your right to compensation.

Assigning Fault

Just because a vehicle strikes another from behind, does not necessarily mean that the second driver is at fault, although the majority of the time that is the case. Oftentimes in multi-car vehicles, another motor vehicle is pushed into the car in front of it from behind and liability can be questionable in those cases especially when the driver at the lead of the multi-vehicle collision testifies or gives a statement that they felt two collisions. Often, who is at fault can be complicated in multi-vehicle collision cases.

Determining Negligence

Charleston, South Carolina used to determine negligence by contributory negligence, but now it is determining using comparative negligence and there is a modified comparative negligence standard. This means that the at-fault driver or an injured driver can be up to 50% at fault and considered to have caused their own injuries.

By way of example, if a person suffers, $10,000 in damages and is 50% at fault then if the case is tried, the jury would come back and find that the plaintiff, in that case, suffered, $10,000 in damages and was 50% at fault in causing their injuries and then the judge will reduce the $10,000 in damages to $5,000 in damages. If an injured party is 51% or more at fault in causing their own injuries, then that driver would get nothing.

Establishing Liability

There are multiple methods for gathering evidence that a Charleston rear-end collision lawyer will employ, and high on the list is establishing eyewitness testimony and the scope of damage to the vehicle itself, which can provide insight into liability and fault. There is also the factor of the drivers themselves, as well as road conditions that can make a difference, and in catastrophic injury cases, engineers and accident reconstructionist are brought on to calculate speed, vehicle weight, velocity, and force. There are complicated engineering principles. Depending on the severity of the accident and in the more catastrophic cases, an accident reconstructionist may be brought on board.

Contacting a Charleston Rear-End Collision Attorney

One of the primary reasons it is important to contact a Charleston rear-collision attorney quickly is the importance of gathering witness testimony, as oftentimes memories fade, or the witness has moved, and becomes difficult or impossible to find. In addition, vehicles are repaired and attorneys can no longer document the damage to the vehicle. Also, road conditions where the accident occurred can change. For these reasons, it is of paramount importance for a person involved in an accident to contact a skilled rear-end collision accident lawyer in Charleston as soon as possible.