South Carolina Lawyer Blog
Preliminary reports indicate that South Carolina traffic accidents claimed more lives in 2011 than the year before, marking the first increase in highway deaths since 2007. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 818 people perished in South Carolina auto accidents last year, up 9 over the 2010 toll.
This step backwards is particularly disturbing at a time when the nation as a whole is experiencing a continuing decline in the number of overall traffic deaths. Nationwide, auto accident fatalities hit a 61-year low in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Preliminary reports from other states show that the overall downward trend continued last year.
Why is South Carolina different? Part of the explanation is that the state is experiencing more pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities, according to an article in Columbia’s The State newspaper. Early numbers revealed that at least 110 pedestrians died in South Carolina during 2011, up 21 over the previous year’s tally. South Carolina motorcycle fatalities followed a similar trend, with at least 20 more deaths in 2011 than in 2010.
As we have reported here before, South Carolina needs to do more to address the safety threats faced by pedestrians and motorcyclists. While it is clear that authorities need to step up enforcement of existing laws and the state’s transportation infrastructure would benefit from improvements, much of the responsibility for highway safety lies with motorists themselves.
The Columbia car crash attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., understand that negligent drivers bear a significant share of the blame for our state’s high fatality rate, and we are committed to holding reckless and careless motorists accountable for the losses they cause.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic accident in Columbia, Orangeburg, Lexington, Aiken, Sumter, or anywhere in South Carolina, you should speak with an experienced traffic accident lawyer such as the ones at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., as soon as possible. We have represented the rights of accident victims since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively pursuing negligent motorists. Because we understand how financially devastating an accident can be, we charge you nothing until you have recovered compensation for your damages.
For a free consultation, call the South Carolina auto accident lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., today. Toll free: (866) 454-1200. Locally: (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.