If you commute for any substantial amount of time on South Carolina roads, you see it on a daily basis; the remnants of dangerous, sometimes deadly, automobile accidents on the shoulders of our highways. Emergency vehicles treating the injured, highway patrol officers directing traffic and clearing the roads of the wrecked automobiles. Whether the accidents involve trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians the result of these collisions is almost always serious injury and in the worst cases, death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gathers information regarding traffic accidents for all states, and makes that data available to all citizens through their webpage. The numbers are in for South Carolina, and they paint an unfortunate picture.
Over 1,000 people died on South Carolina roads in 2006 and some of the trends of those fatalities are detailed in the table below:
| Select Below For County Level Report | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Crashes | 1,094 | 1,037 |
| Alcohol-Related Crashes | 555 | 523 |
| Single Vehicle Crashes | 634 | 626 |
| Speeding Involved Crashes | 481 | 412 |
| Pedestrians | 98 | 125 |
| Large Truck Involved Crashes | 124 | 93 |
| Roadway Departure Crashes | 696 | 628 |
| Passenger Car Occupants | 506 | 452 |
| Light Truck/Van Occupants | 337 | 315 |
| Total Occupants (Not Including Motorcyclists) | 874 | 787 |
| Motorcycle Riders | 106 | 109 |
Alcohol Related Crashes
By far, the single factor that results in most fatal South Carolina automobile accidents is drivers that are impaired by alcohol. Of the 1,037 drivers who died in car accidents in 2006, 523 of them (50%) were considered “alcohol related” crashes. The fact that half the fatal road crashes on South Carolina highways have alcohol to blame as the cause is, for lack of a better term, sobering.
South Carolina has strict laws regarding driving after drinking alcohol and all drivers throughout the State must abide by them. In South Carolina the rights of victims of drunk driving accidents are also taken very seriously. Victims always have the right to financial and criminal legal actions after an accident. All victims of drunk driving accidents and their families should seek legal assistance to aid them in their case. A South Carolina drunk driving accident lawyer can help the family recover significant damages and help ensure that the driver does not harm anyone else.
Speeding Involved Crashes
Another factor in fatal car accidents in South Carolina is speeding. 412 (40%) of the total 1,037 auto accident fatalities in South Carolina involved speeding vehicles. This number is slightly higher then the national average of 32%. Speeding reduces the reaction time drivers need to avoid obstacles, which increases the likelihood of crashing and the severity of accidents. Statistics show that 40% of all high-speed collisions occur at curves, twice the rate of non-speeding fatalities that occur on a curve (20%). Speed also increases the distance needed to stop a vehicle and drivers in speeding autos may not be able to judge distances as well which puts other drivers and pedestrians at greater risk.
If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to make sure that you understand your legal rights. South Carolina laws on car wrecks are complex, and the statute of limitations for filing a claim can be relatively short. You should consider speaking to the Louthian Law Firm as soon as you think you may need a South Carolina car wreck lawyer. We have protected the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won. For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.