If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, call our Columbia car accident lawyer at (803) 350-9230 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our team of lawyers can be your legal representation in your car accident claim and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Anyone who lives in South Carolina knows that our state does not have the safest roads. South Carolina is previously ranked in the ten most dangerous states to drive in because of the high rate of roadway fatalities, especially on rural roads. Even so, personal vehicles are still the most common form of transportation. Our cars are an absolute necessity that helps us visit friends and family, go grocery shopping, and commute to work. Unfortunately, accidents are bound to happen with so many people on the road.
Some accidents are not anyone’s fault. Drivers are injured daily, even when they follow traffic laws and do their best to drive safely. Weather conditions, such as fog or rain, or animals on the road can all cause accidents. However, many more accidents are completely preventable and caused by the reckless or negligent actions of drivers who do not drive safely. If your car accident resulted from the careless actions of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage. Contact the Goings Law Firm, LLC to learn how a Columbia car accident attorney can help you with an injury claim and win the money you need following your accident.
Car Accident Practice Areas
Many people are on the road at any moment, so accidents can happen easily. Distractions while driving, biking, and walking have increased. Staying safe can be challenging. One driver glancing at a cell phone or distracted driving can cause an accident. If someone acts carelessly, a skilled car accident lawyer can help you hold them responsible.
At the Goings Law Firm, LLC, we have experience handling the following cases:
- Rollover Accidents
- Auto Defects
- Speeding Accidents
- Reckless Driving Accidents
- Road Defects
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Insurance Claims
- Distracted Driving
- Failure to Observe Traffic Laws
- Running Stop Signs / Stop Lights
- Driving Too Fast for Conditions
- Rear End Collisions
Our attorneys believe that one fatality caused by a reckless driver is too many. South Carolina has a greater percentage of road deaths than most states, most of which are caused by driving under the influence or too fast for the current conditions. These are preventable causes that we can work together to end by forcing drivers to take responsibility for their actions.
South Carolina Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents happen despite the precautions you might take to keep yourself safe. Although you wear your seatbelt, keep your phone out of reach, and diligently scan the road ahead, a careless driver can cross your path. Preventing a crash is nearly impossible if you encounter someone running a red light or swerving into your lane.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2020 Traffic Collision Fact Book, traffic accidents are common across the state. Traffic accidents in South Carolina occur once every 4.3 minutes during one year. One person sustained an injury every eleven minutes, while one person died every 8.2 hours. The number of fatalities from the year before increased to 1,066, representing a six percent change.
Statistics for South Carolina Car Accidents
The primary contributing factors in all injury collisions were driving too fast for conditions and failing to yield.
In all fatal collisions, drivers who drove under the influence were the number one contributing factor.
Drivers can cause car wrecks all too easily. Their poor decisions and careless actions increase the risk of a crash and endanger others’ lives. Some of the notable characteristics of South Carolina drivers involved in traffic accidents in a single year include:
Males accounted for 72 percent of drivers involved in fatal collisions, while females only represented 24.7 percent. Males between 20 and 24 accounted for 6.8 percent of those drivers of all fatal traffic collisions. Female drivers accounted for 3 percent of all fatal car crashes. Of all primary contributing factors leading to accidents, 94 percent were driver-related.
The time of day was a significant factor in evaluating the frequency of accidents throughout the state. The number of
traffic crashes by time of day was:
These statistics show the dangers that exist on South Carolina roads. You can protect yourself and others from harm by staying alert at the wheel. If you get hurt in a car crash due to someone else’s negligence, contact a Columbia car accident lawyer from Goings Law Firm, LLC immediately. We can review your case and determine whether we can represent you.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
In South Carolina, three common causes of car accident injuries are drunk driving, speeding, and not yielding the right of way. Our Columbia car accident attorneys often handle these types of cases. We’ve won millions for drivers who obeyed traffic laws but got injured. We’ll explain these accidents more below and how we can help you with personal injury claim get compensation.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers must be of sound mind when they drive. Drugs or alcohol impair this soundness. Many intoxicated drivers use rural roads in South Carolina. Drunk driving affects motor skills, reaction time, and judgment. These are crucial for safe driving. If an intoxicated driver injured you, we’ll examine police reports, sobriety tests, and witness accounts to build your case.
Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Many overlook speeding as an accident’s main cause. Yet, in 2024, speeding caused 494 injuries, the highest of any reason. Speeders can’t control their cars fully. They might skid off the road or hit another car. Sometimes, drivers may drive at the speed limit but not adjust for weather or darkness. We’ll inspect the accident site to learn more about car accident victims the driver’s behavior, aiding your case.
Failure to Observe Traffic Laws
Some drivers ignore traffic signs, don’t yield, or change lanes wrongly. These mistakes cause thousands of injuries. Drivers owe each other clear signals, awareness, and obedience to traffic laws. If a driver neglects these duties and injures someone, they should face the consequences. Often, police reports indicate traffic violations linked to accidents. We’ll negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company or insurer, gather evidence, and check the police report to prove their negligence caused your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
After an accident, most drivers who come into our offices feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin when seeking compensation. To get you started, here are the answers to some of the questions we often hear car accident attorneys.
How much is my case worth?
No attorney can answer this question without knowing the details of your case. Numerous factors go into deciding how much compensation a car accident victim will receive as a result of the accident. Some factors that can influence the amount of money your case will receive are the type of accident you were in, whether you were at fault, the severity of the injuries you sustained, and whether the other driver was under the influence. Without knowing how these factors affected your car accident claim, it is impossible to say how much your case is worth without speaking to an attorney.
Why should I seek compensation?
At the Goings Law Firm, LLC, we believe in justice and fairness. Someone was unjust towards you by causing an auto accident here, so it is only fair that you receive the compensation you need to move forward. The money we obtain for you could cover medical bills, property damage, and any income you lost if you could not go to work. Receiving what you are owed can mean the difference between struggling and not, and we want you to feel good about your financial and personal situation. Going through an accident is tough, but compensation can help to stabilize your position.
Why choose the Goings Law Firm, LLC?
A Columbia car accident lawyer at Goings Law Firm, LLC can understand how devastating an accident can be. A serious personal injury case can reach into every aspect of your life. Our lawyers are South Carolinians just like you who want to make our state a great place to live. That includes acting with kindness and taking care of our own. If you were hurt in an accident, we guarantee you will receive the respect and personal attention required to a personal injury lawyer get your case as far as possible.
What Should I Do if I Was Involved in a Car Accident?
You might panic right after an accident, especially if you think you’re injured. You might wonder what to do, whom to speak to, and what to say or avoid saying. Before speaking to a lawyer, in car accident case it’s best to limit discussions about injuries. However, you should know certain actions to take and avoid right after an accident.
What To Do
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Ensure that you cooperate with law enforcement and emergency services once they arrive, and do not leave the scene until you are cleared to do so.
- Make sure that you collect the contact and insurance information of all parties involved, if possible.
- If you can, always take pictures of the accident scene, surrounding area, and any personal injuries or property damage.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to get an evaluation of your claim.
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and receive guidance on the insurance process.
What NOT To Do
- Do not leave the scene of an accident until told to do so.
- Do not admit fault or even engage in a discussion of who was at fault in the accident.
- Do not discard any evidence, such as car parts or clothes that were damaged in the accident, until the case is over.
- If you can, move. Do not remain in an area that could put you at further risk for an injury.
Cooperate with the police and emergency services and file your other driver’s insurance company a claim quickly. This improves your chances for a favorable case outcome. Never admit fault early on, even if you played a role in the crash. Saying “I’m sorry” at the crash site can count as evidence against you in court.
The car accident lawyers at Goings Law Firm, LLC in Columbia are ready to help. They will guide you through insurance matters and hold careless drivers responsible. In South Carolina, the time limit for most personal injury cases is three years from the accident date. Talk to an auto accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
Following your accident, hiring an attorney to help you make insurance claims and seek compensation is probably the last thing on your mind. A Columbia car accident lawyer can understand this, which is why our law firm wants you to focus on recovering while we ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance companies. If you have any questions or are ready to fight for the money you deserve, contact a Columbia car accident lawyer from Goings Law Firm, LLC for a free case review. Call (803) 350-9230 for a free consultation and free case evaluation today. Our team of lawyers can help you get the best possible outcome for your car accident case.
