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    Driving through South Carolina’s serene and picturesque rural areas may seem peaceful, but the reality is that rural roads can be deceptively dangerous. Winding roads, poor lighting, overgrown vegetation, unmaintained roads and signage, and wildlife, like deer, often lead to accidents in the country, when you’re far from help.

    In fact, South Carolina has the highest rate of rural road fatalities in the nation. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), 60% of the state’s fatal crashes happen on rural roads, despite these roads only accounting for 5% of the state’s total roadway network. Between 2012 and 2016, 6,812 crashes on rural roads resulted in serious injuries or deaths. Even tranquil stretches, like the 10-mile segment of U.S. 29 between Greenville and Anderson, are among the deadliest.

    Being prepared and knowing what actions to take in the aftermath of an accident on a rural road is crucial to ensuring your safety and protecting your legal rights. If you’re injured in a rural car accident, seeking the help of a South Carolina car accident lawyer is essential for securing a fair financial recovery.

    Why are Rural Roads More Dangerous?

    Given their higher speed limits, lack of safety features, and slower emergency response times, rural roads are a powder keg for turning what might otherwise be less harmful crashes into deadly ones. Rural roads are more likely to feature narrow lanes with limited or no shoulders, sharp curves, steep slopes or drop-offs, and exposed hazards. according to the SCDOT, happen.

    According to South Carolina Highway Patrol spokesperson Cpl. Sonny Collins, “Mistakes [on rural roads] can have larger consequences because your room for error is a lot less. When you look at rural roads, the speed limit is 55, but you have lots of driveways, farm equipment on the roads, and a lot of different vehicles going a lot of different speeds versus U.S. 501, S.C. 31 or S.C. 22 where you have big sight lines and everyone’s moving the same speed.”

    One key reason why South Carolina’s rural roads in particular are so deadly is because they are simply in poor shape. 38% of South Carolina’s rural roads are rated to be in poor or mediocre condition.

    Rural Crash Statistics

    According to the Federal Highway Administration, drivers drove 903,527 miles in rural areas in 2020 and 2,000,095 miles in urban areas. These numbers show that people drive more than twice as much in urban areas compared to rural areas. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 43% of fatalities occurred on rural roads in 2020highlighting the potentially dangerous nature of rural roads.

    In South Carolina, most collisions happened on secondary routes in 2021, with 43,179 crashes reported. There were also 47 fatal and 176 serious injury crashes on county roads. For example, rural Laurens County’s crash rate was between 142 and 203.9 traffic collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled that year.

    Common Causes Behind Rural Car Accidents

    Understanding the common causes behind rural car accidents can help reduce the number of casualties. Common causes of backroad collisions include:

    • High speeds: Drivers often speed on rural roads due to less traffic and more open stretches. However, high speeds can reduce the driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, leading to an increased risk of serious injury accidents.
    • Limited road infrastructure: Many rural roads have inadequate infrastructure and maintenance. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and poorly marked lanes are common issues. These conditions can be hazardous, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the road, leading to accidents.
    • Alcohol-related crashes: In rural areas, people may feel more comfortable driving home after drinking because there is less traffic or pedestrians. However, impaired driving is a major contributor to rural road accidents, with 4,990 fatalities in 2020 involving alcohol.
    • Wildlife crossings: Animal crossings, such as deer, raccoons, and possums, are common in rural areas. Collisions with wildlife can occur, leading to accidents. In 2021, there were 164 deaths nationwide due to wildlife collisions, most often occurring between October and December.
    • Reduced visibility: Fog, heavy rain, or nighttime driving can reduce visibility on rural roads. The absence of streetlights exacerbates the problem, making it challenging for drivers to see the road clearly and react quickly to potential hazards.
    • Distracted driving: Distracted driving is critical everywhere, including on rural roads. Engaging in activities like texting, eating, or using a navigational system while driving can divert attention from the road, increasing the accident risk.
    • Fatigue: Driving on long, monotonous rural roads can sometimes induce fatigue, especially during long journeys. Fatigued driving can slow reaction time, impair judgment, and increase the risk of accidents.

    What to Do Immediately After a Rural Car Accident in South Carolina

    Check for Safety

    Your immediate priority after a wreck is ensuring the safety of yourself and others at the scene. If your vehicle is still operable (and it’s safe to do so), move it to the side of the road or a designated safe area.

    Oncoming vehicles might not anticipate obstacles in rural areas, where traffic is lighter. If moving your car isn’t an option, use flares, cones, or hazard lights to signal the potential danger ahead to other drivers.

    If you’ve hit wildlife in a rural area, do not approach the injured animal as scared, or injured wildlife can be unpredictable and potentially aggressive. It’s usually best to call animal control or a non-emergency police line to report the accident. They can advise you on what to do next or come and assist with the animal.

    Call 911 and Wait for Emergency Responders

    Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance, if needed. If you can, use your smartphone to pinpoint your GPS location. This can make it easier for responders to find you in rural areas with few landmarks.

    While emergency medical service units typically average around 7 minutes from the time of a call to arrival on the scene, this time can increase to between 14 and 30 minutes in rural settings.

    If you’re in a rural area without cell service after an accident, consider seeking higher ground to improve signal reception. Some phones have an “Emergency Mode” that might connect to distant networks. If feasible, look for nearby homes or businesses for assistance, or use tools like flares to signal for help if you have them.

    Document the Scene

    While waiting for emergency responders to arrive, take the opportunity to document the accident scene thoroughly. Take pictures and videos of the accident site from various angles. Ensure you capture:

    • The positions of the vehicles involved
    • The extent of damage to all vehicles
    • Any visible injuries sustained by you or others
    • Road conditions, including potholes, debris, or icy patches
    • Signage, traffic lights, and road markings
    • Skid marks or tire tracks, if present

    Pay close attention to other factors that might have contributed to the accident. This can include obscured road signs, faded road markings, or any other unusual conditions.

    Get Witness Information

    Witness testimony can be crucial to an accident investigation in rural areas where surveillance methods, such as traffic cameras, are limited. If witnesses are at the accident scene, request their contact details, including their full name, phone number, and email address, so your attorney can reach out later.

    Encourage witnesses to provide brief statements detailing what they observed. This can include the sequence of events leading up to the accident, any unusual behaviors from other drivers, or road conditions that may have contributed to the incident. Since many drivers use dash cams now, ask if they have footage and request that they share it with you.

    Inform Local Law Enforcement

    In rural areas, responses to accidents may involve local or county police or state troopers. Regardless of who responds, provide a detailed accident report.

    South Carolina law Section 56-5-1260 mandates that drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury or death must report them immediately to the local police department if within a municipality. If not, report the incident to the local police department, the nearest county sheriff’s office, or the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

    To obtain a copy of the accident report, you must complete Form FR-50 and pay the $6 processing fee. You can do this by mail, in person at a local DMV branch, or online.

    You’ll also need to submit Form FR-10 to your insurance company. When a police officer arrives at the scene, they will provide this green form to all drivers involved. The FR-10 helps verify that drivers have the required insurance coverage. While the officer fills out part of the form, the rest must be completed by your insurance company and submitted to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident.

    Seeking Medical Attention After an Accident

    Crashes can result in hidden injuries and delayed symptoms. Even if you initially feel fine after a car accident, seeing a doctor is crucial. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, may not show symptoms for hours or days afterward.

    These injuries can go unnoticed and worsen over time without a medical examination. Consulting a healthcare professional can help rule out hidden injuries and provide appropriate treatment.

    Prompt medical care also creates a paper trail between the wreck and your injuries.  This is important when you file a claim against the negligent party’s insurance company. Keep all records of care you receive, including hospital bills, treatment papers, medical prescriptions, and follow-up doctor’s visits. Your attorney can use these to estimate your damages and ask for a fair payout.

    Maintaining Comprehensive Records

    After a vehicle crash, gather all evidence you collect and keep it in an organized file. Your folder should include all relevant documentation that you can share with your auto accident attorney, including:

    Medical bills:
    Keep records of all medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, and therapies, demonstrating injury-related costs.
    Repair bills:
    Save receipts and repair bills if your vehicle is damaged, showing the extent of damage and associated expenses.
    Insurance records:
    Document all communications with your insurer, including claim forms and correspondence.
    Legal communications:
    Maintain records of all communications with your attorney. This includes agreements, contracts, and any discussions about your case.

    Tips to Avoid Backroad Accidents

    Safety should always be the priority when driving, especially in rural areas with unpredictable road conditions. Most fatal and injury-causing crashes in South Carolina fall into one of four categories: distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to yield right-of-way.

    Shockingly, nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in South Carolina in 2017 involved an impaired driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Nearly half involved speeding.

    Here are some practical tips that can help you avoid a collision when driving on South Carolina’s rural roads:

    • Adhere to speed limits. Rural roads might tempt you to speed up, but adhering to the designated speed limits can give you enough time to react to sudden obstacles or sharp turns.
    • Expect wildlife. Many rural areas are inhabited by wildlife that can suddenly appear on the road. Stay alert, especially during dawn and dusk, and reduce speed in marked animal crossing areas to prevent accidents.
    • Use high-beam headlights wisely. High-beam headlights can enhance your view of the road in areas with limited visibility. However, they can make it difficult for oncoming drivers to see the road. Be courteous by switching to low beams when you see another car approaching.
    • Ensure vehicle readiness. Before venturing onto rural roads, ensure your vehicle is in good condition. Regularly inspect brakes, tires, and lights to avoid breakdowns and accidents on backroads.
    • Avoid distractions. It’s easy to get distracted by a scenic backdrop, but keeping your eyes on the road is crucial. Avoid using your phone or other distractions that detract your focus from driving.
    • Keep a safe following distance. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. If the vehicle suddenly stops or slows down, this gives you sufficient time to react. If you need to pass a car, follow traffic regulations and only pass on a dotted center line when it is safe.
    • Emergency kit. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, with necessities like a first-aid kit, flashlight, water, and basic tools to handle unforeseen situations.

    Since 45% of fatal and injury-causing crashes were also found to have occurred at night, you can also reduce your risks of an accident by showing extra caution when travel conditions aren’t ideal, whether that means low light, bad weather, or poorly maintained roads.

    How South Carolina Plans to Make Rural Roads Safer

    The SCDOT initiated a 10-year Rural Roads Safety Program targeting 1,900 miles of the deadliest rural roads in the state for improvements in 2017. So far, work is underway or completed on approximately 1,116 miles of rural roads.

    Improvement plans include:

    • Re-paving
    • Trimming back vegetation
    • Adding guardrails and cable barriers
    • Adding rumble strips
    • Widening shoulders
    • Increasing reflectiveness of striping and speed limit signs

    For a full list of roadways included in the Rural Roads Safety Program, click here.

    Hire a Local Attorney

    If you believe someone else was at fault for your accident or are facing challenges with your insurance claim, consider hiring a local car accident attorney with expertise in handling cases in rural areas.

    Our attorneys can assist in the following ways:Scenes from Joye Law Firm's Columbia office in May of 2024.

    • Comprehensive understanding of local laws. Our local attorneys understand South Carolina’s legal framework for car accident liability, including the state’s modified comparative negligence laws. We can help you prove another driver’s negligence to win maximum compensation.
    • Familiarity with SC’s rural areas. We’ve been serving SC since 1968, and our lawyers are experienced with traffic accidents in rural areas. They’re skillful at engaging with local authorities, locating witnesses, arranging medical case, and developing tailored strategies for your case.
    • Insurance negotiations. As accomplished negotiators, we can effectively navigate dealings with insurance companies to secure financial compensation for your injuries and property damage, ensuring you recover a fair settlement.
    • Courtroom advocacy. While the vast majority of claims are settled, if your case proceeds to court, our attorneys can advocate on your behalf. We can consult with accident reconstructions and medical providers to testify in court, presenting a persuasive case to the judge or jury.

    Protect Your Rights with Legal Support from a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney

    Accidents on rural South Carolina roads can happen when you least expect them, often leading to devastating consequences. Knowing how to respond is crucial to ensuring your safety and recovery. If you’ve been injured in a rural car accident due to someone else’s negligence, the car accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm are here to guide you through this challenging time. We understand what you’re up against, and we’re committed to helping you seek the compensation you deserve.

    Contact us today for a free case review. Our team will investigate the cause of your accident, gather evidence, and pursue a settlement that covers your medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages. With over 300 years of combined legal experience and a track record of securing millions for accident victims across South Carolina, you can trust us to protect your rights.

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