South Carolina Lawyer Blog
In a grim start to the new year, the number of fatal highway accidents in South Carolina has increased. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported a 49% increase in fatal traffic deaths in January 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Sixty-one people died in highway accidents in January 2012 compared to 41 in 2011.
Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with SC Highway Patrol had no explanation for the increase in deaths. He said the numbers shouldn’t be alarming, suggesting that January 2011’s numbers were unusually low and any increase is to be expected. In a response to the increase in deaths to 7 On Your Side, his colleague, Lance Cpl. Bill Rhyne said, “It would really be taking a shot in the dark to say why there are so many people being involved in these collisions at this point in time.” Of the 61 SC road fatalities in 2012, 14 people were pedestrians or cyclists.
Of the 47 that died in vehicles, 27 or about 57% of people were not wearing seat belts. Nearly half (47%) of all fatal traffic accident victims in motor vehicles were not wearing seat belts in 2011, according to state government statistics.
According to AAA Carolinas, traffic safety is a major public health issue for South Carolina and the top killer of teens in the state.
The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.
If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.