Sumter Car Accident Lawyer
Although it changes names and shapes, Interstate 95 runs directly from Florida up the East Coast to Maine. Since this superhighway essentially bisects Sumter County, many of the vehicle collisions in this area involve wrecks on or along I-95. These wrecks have special issues. Injuries in high-speed wrecks are much worse than injuries in low-speed fender benders. Additionally, the victims in these cases often live outside Sumter County. So, these injury matters involve some jurisdictional issues.
No matter how complicated your case is, the experienced Sumter car accident lawyer at The Stanley Law Group fight for you. No case is too big, and no case is too small. We have the resources to take on big insurance companies, and we pay close attention to details. There is a lot at stake in these cases. Compensation in a car accident claim usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
What Causes Car Accidents?
Defective products, like poorly designed roads and defective tires, cause a handful of vehicle collisions. Driver error causes over 98 percent of these incidents.
Aggressive driving, a category that includes things like speeding, tailgating, and failing to maintain a proper lookout, causes about half of driver error collisions. Driver impairment causes the other half. Common forms of driver impairment include:
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Medical Condition: People with mild or moderate illness symptoms, like people who are recovering from the flu or COVID-19, are 50 percent more likely to cause a crash than healthy drivers. Other people struggle with diabetes and other serious chronic conditions that could cause them to suddenly and unexpectedly pass out behind the wheel.
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Alcohol: An extended legal crackdown has failed to significantly reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road. Alcohol limits judgment ability and motor skills. These impairing effects begin with the first drink.
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Drug Use: Marijuana is the most common cause of stoned driving in South Carolina, followed by prescription pain pills and certain over-the-counter drugs, like NyQuil. These drugs might be legal to take. But it’s always illegal, and dangerous, to drive under their influence. Usually, the impairing effects of these drugs begin with the first puff or pill.
Fatigue and distraction also impair many drivers. Many people blow off the risks in these areas. But driving while extremely drowsy is as dangerous as driving drunk. So is driving while using a hands-free speakerphone.
Liability Issues
As far as Sumter car accident lawyers are concerned, aggressive driving and driver impairment could involve the negligence per se rule or the ordinary negligence doctrine.
Negligence per se is basically a violation of a safety law. In South Carolina, tortfeasors (negligent drivers) who violate safety laws, like the speed limit law or DUI law, and cause crashes could be responsible for damages as a matter of law.
Ordinary negligence is basically a lack of care. The duty of reasonable care, which applies to most noncommercial drivers in the Palmetto State, requires them to be at their best, mentally, physically, and otherwise, before they get behind the wheel. While driving, motorists must drive defensively and avoid accidents when possible.
Most liability claims settle out of court, generally during mediation. Essentially, mediation is a court-supervised settlement negotiation session. Both sides have a legal duty to negotiate in good faith. They cannot simply go through the motions or make low-ball offers. Therefore, mediation is about 90 percent successful.
Contact an Experienced Sumter County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Sumter car accident lawyer, contact The Stanley Law Group, P.A. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
