Rear-End Car Accidents in Charleston County

Have you been in a rear-end collision that left you in pain? Recovery from injuries sustained in this type of collision can take many months, depending on the severity. It can also cause damage to your vehicle or other personal possessions.

Many assume that insurance or the other driver will pay for damages after rear-end car accidents in Charleston County. This is sometimes true. However, establishing fault is vital for a successful rear-end car crash case. Our car collision attorneys could help you hold the party responsible for the wreck.

What To Do After a Rear-End Collision

At the accident scene, there are several key things you should do to protect yourself from liability. This includes:

• Checking to see if you or others were injured or need to be moved to a safer location
• Calling the police to report the incident
• Exchanging insurance information, names, phone numbers, or other contact information
• Seeking witnesses and their information
• Documenting the scene with photographs
• Getting medical assistance, even if you do not feel severe pain
• Contacting your insurance company

In Charleston County, those involved in a rear-end car crash should avoid admitting any responsibility for the collision to anyone, including insurance adjusters, medical staff, or others, either at the scene or later. Such an action could seriously compromise a personal injury claim. This is because, according to South Carolina Code Annotated § 15-38-15, a person who is found to be more than 50 percent responsible for the wreck is barred from seeking damages. We do not want to see this happen to anyone, so it is important to enlist the help of a lawyer following an accident.

What Happens To Your Body in a Rear-End Crash?

As with all crashes, the severity of the collision will dictate the pain and suffering people experience afterward. In rear-end car collisions in Charleston County, the pain often stems from the sudden force pushing you forward. This force can result in:

• Whiplash
• Back pain or spinal injury
• Wrist or arm injuries
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Facial disfigurement

Some effects may not be immediately felt. This means that you should see a doctor even if you feel fine at the scene. Let them know you are visiting following a rear-end collision; they will be better equipped to identify potential injuries.

Why Do Rear-End Collisions Happen?

Most rear-end collisions can be traced to something the driver missed or failed to do correctly. In other words, they would have likely been distracted, making their response time slower than usual. Other times, the driver causes the crash by:

• Driving too fast
• Following too close
• Making improper lane changes

However, because South Carolina is an at-fault state, the second driver’s insurance company may attempt to place some blame on the first driver.

The driver of the second vehicle in a rear-end collision can attempt to claim that the lead (front) car:

• Did not have fully functioning brake lights
• Was braking or slowing intentionally to cause the accident
• Was driven by someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Was stopping or reversing to allow pedestrians or cyclists to cross in front of them

If the second driver is successful in proving comparative negligence, they may not be required to pay enough compensation to cover the cost of injuries or property damage. This is why everyone involved in a rear-end auto accident in Charleston County should seek legal advice.

Contact The Farmer Law Firm After Rear-End Car Wrecks in Charleston County

We want what is best for our clients and work hard to ensure you never feel like a number to us. Therefore, if you want more information about rear-end car accidents in Charleston County or would like to file a claim, speak with our legal team to schedule a free consultation.