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    Intersection Accidents and Injuries in South Carolina

    Intersections are one of the most common locations for car crashes. The combination of vehicles traveling in different directions, turning across lanes, and pedestrians crossing streets creates numerous opportunities for collisions.

    After an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, a South Carolina car accident lawyer can explain your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.

    Since 1968, our legal team has recovered over half a billion dollars for personal injury victims in South Carolina, including a recent settlement for $1.18 million for a woman who was T-boned at the intersection of Old Monck’s Corner Road and Bridgetown Road in Goose Creek, S.C.

    Every client we represent receives our No Fee Guarantee, meaning you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win your case. Our consultations are completely free, Just Call Joye today at (888) 324-3100 to find out how we can help maximize the value of your case.

    FREE CASE EVALUATION

    Determining Liability in Intersection Accidents

    Establishing fault for an intersection accident is essential for injured victims to recover compensation. In some cases, liability is clear, such as when one driver blatantly runs a red light. However, many situations are less straightforward.

    South Carolina law follows a modified comparative negligence standard. This means you can still recover some damages if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation in a trial verdict decreases by your assigned percentage of fault. Insurance companies will often try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce their financial liability.

    Evidence is key to proving the other driver caused the crash. Useful evidence may include:

    • Police accident reports
    • Photos and video footage from the scene, nearby surveillance cameras, or dashcams
    • Witness statements corroborating how the accident occurred
    • Cell phone records that may show the other driver was texting
    • Toxicology reports indicating intoxication
    • Analysis from accident reconstruction experts

    An experienced car accident attorney can thoroughly investigate your case, gather and preserve evidence, and craft strong arguments demonstrating the other party’s liability. The sooner you contact the Joye Law Firm, the sooner we can build your case.

     

    Intersection Accident Injuries and Damages

    The severity of your injuries often depends on factors like the speed of the vehicles involved and the angle of impact. Pedestrians and cyclists who are hit by a vehicle, often face more severe injuries due to their lack of protection from the impact.

    Common intersection accident injuries you may experience include:

    • Whiplash and neck injuries: The sudden jerking motion of a collision can stretch and tear the muscles and tendons in your neck, leading to whiplash and neck injuries, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
    • Back and spinal cord injuries: The force of impact can cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even paralysis if your spinal cord is damaged.
    • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): If your head strikes an object or is violently jolted, you may suffer a concussion or more severe brain damage, leading to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments.
    • Broken bones and fractures: The impact of a crash can break bones in your arms, legs, ribs, hips, and other parts of your body, requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
    • Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause internal injuries, bleeding and damage to your vital organs, which may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening.

    Seeking Fair Compensation for Intersection Accident Injuries

    The purpose of a personal injury claim is to help you recover financially from the harm you’ve suffered, and to make you as whole as possible under the law. Here’s a closer look at the types of damages you may be able to recover:

    Medical Expenses

    One of the most significant costs associated with injuries caused by intersection collisions is medical treatment. Victims may require emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and physical therapy. In many cases, victims require ongoing medical treatment. These expenses can quickly add up, especially for severe injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries.

    Your personal injury claim should seek compensation for all medical expenses related to the accident, including past bills you’ve already incurred, current costs for ongoing treatment, and future anticipated expenses.

    Your lawyer will work with medical experts to estimate the likely cost of your future care needs, such as long-term rehabilitation or assistive devices.

    Lost Wages and Income

    Serious intersection collision injuries often force victims to miss work for days, weeks, or even months while they recover. This time away from work can result in a significant loss of income, making it difficult for victims to pay their bills and support their families.

    Your injury claim can seek reimbursement for the wages, salary, benefits, and other income you’ve lost due to the accident. This includes not only time missed immediately after the crash, but also future time off work needed for ongoing treatment or recovery.

    Reduced Future Earning Capacity

    In some cases, intersection accident victims may suffer long-term or permanent impairments that affect their ability to work and earn a living.

    For example, a severe brain injury might prevent someone from returning to a highly skilled or intellectually demanding job. Chronic pain or mobility limitations could make it impossible for a victim to perform the physical tasks their job requires.

    If your earning capacity has been diminished due to the accident, you can seek compensation for the difference between what you would have earned without the injury and what you’re likely to earn now. Vocational experts and economists may be consulted to calculate your lost earning capacity over your lifetime.

    Pain and Suffering

    Not all losses are financial. Victims often experience significant physical pain and discomfort from their injuries. This pain can be acute in the immediate aftermath of the crash, and it may persist for months or years as the victim undergoes treatment and rehabilitation.

    While it’s challenging to put a dollar value on pain, the law allows injured victims to seek compensation for the physical suffering they’ve endured. The amount of compensation will depend on factors like the severity and duration of the pain, as well as how it affects the victim’s daily life.

    Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Wreck at an Intersection

    After a crash, you may need to file an insurance claim to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. However, it’s crucial to understand that insurance companies, even your own, are not on your side. Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, which often means minimizing payouts to claimants.customer are signing an insurance agreement with their insurance company

    Insurance adjusters may use various tactics to reduce or deny your claim, such as:

    • Offering a quick, lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries and damages
    • Asking for a recorded statement and twisting your words to imply fault on your part
    • Requesting access to your entire medical history to look for pre-existing conditions
    • Dragging out the claims process to wear you down and pressure you into accepting less
    • Disputing the severity of your injuries or the necessity of certain treatments
    • Claiming your injuries were caused by something other than the accident

    To protect your rights and improve your chances of a fair settlement, hire an experienced lawyer to handle all communications with the insurance providers on your behalf. Your attorney can advise you on what to say and what not to say, ensure you don’t fall for any insurance company traps, and negotiate aggressively for the full compensation you deserve.

    Common Causes of South Carolina Intersection Accidents

    Intersection accidents can happen for various reasons, but some causes are more common than others.

    Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs

    One of the most common and dangerous causes of intersection accidents is drivers failing to obey traffic signals and signs. Running red lights or stop signs is a major contributing factor to severe crashes.

    Drivers may deliberately choose to ignore signals, perhaps trying to beat the light or due to impatience. In other cases, drivers might fail to notice the signal due to distractions like texting, adjusting the radio, or conversing with passengers.

    Regardless of the reason, disregarding traffic controls greatly increases the risk of colliding with vehicles that have the right of way. Even if the driver runs the light or stop sign without hitting another vehicle, they may still cause an accident by forcing other drivers to swerve or brake suddenly to avoid a collision.

    Improper Turns

    Turning maneuvers are another leading cause of intersection wrecks. Drivers making left turns must yield to oncoming traffic and wait for a safe gap before proceeding. Misjudging the speed or distance of approaching vehicles can result in a driver turning directly into the path of another car.

    Right turns can also lead to accidents if the driver fails to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk or bicyclists in the bike lane. Turning from the wrong lane, such as making a left turn from the right lane or vice versa, can catch other drivers off guard and cause a crash.

    Distracted Driving

    Distracted driving has become an increasingly prevalent factor in all types of auto accidents, including those at intersections. With the rapid rise of smartphones, texting while driving is a particularly alarming distraction.

    Taking one’s eyes off the road for even a few seconds to read or send a message can mean failing to notice a red light, stop sign, or turning vehicle until it’s too late.

    Speeding

    Excessive speed is a factor in many intersection accidents. When drivers travel too fast, they have less time to react to changing traffic signals, vehicles entering the intersection, or unexpected obstacles.

    Even if the light is green, speeding through an intersection can make it difficult to avoid a collision if another driver runs a red light or makes an improper turn.

    Speeding also increases the severity of accidents when they do occur. At higher speeds, vehicles have more momentum and force, leading to more devastating impacts and increasing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities.

    Driving Under the Influence

    Drugs and alcohol can significantly impair a driver’s skills and judgment, making intersections especially treacherous. Intoxicated drivers may have slower reaction times, difficulty gauging distances and speeds, and impaired decision-making abilities. They are more likely to run red lights or stop signs, make improper turns, or fail to yield the right of way.

    Road Defects

    While less common than driver error, issues with the road itself can sometimes contribute to intersection accidents. Malfunctioning traffic signals that get stuck on green or fail to light up at all can lead to driver confusion and collisions. Faded or missing lane markings can make it unclear where drivers are supposed to stop or turn.

    Large potholes, uneven pavement, or debris in the intersection can cause drivers to swerve or lose control of their vehicles. While municipalities are responsible for maintaining safe road conditions, drivers must remain alert and adjust their behavior to navigate any road defects safely.

    How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You with Your Claim

    If you or someone dear to you has been hurt in an intersection crash in South Carolina, the compassionate legal team at Joye Law Firm is here to help. We’ve been advocating for accident victims’ rights since 1968. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

    We understand the devastating impact a serious intersection accident can have on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Our personal injury attorneys in South Carolina will handle every aspect of your legal claim, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward.

    Some of the ways we can assist with your intersection accident case include:

    • Conducting a thorough, independent investigation into the cause of the crash
    • Gathering and preserving critical evidence to support your claim
    • Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other professionals as needed
    • Communicating with insurance companies and aggressively negotiating for a fair settlement
    • Preparing your case for trial and representing you in court if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached
    • Keeping you informed and answering your questions at every stage of the process

    Get Your Free Consultation With a Lawyer Today

    At Joye Law Firm, we believe accident victims deserve personalized attention and tireless advocacy. We’ve helped tens of thousands of clients secure the financial recovery they need to rebuild their lives after a serious injury, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.

    Don’t wait to seek legal guidance after an intersection collision. Call Joye Law Firm today at (888) 324-3100 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We have offices conveniently located throughout South Carolina in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Clinton, Columbia, and Summerville, and we can even come to you if your injuries prevent you from traveling.

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