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Were you injured in a North Myrtle Beach car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence? You might be entitled to financial compensation to help you heal and move forward with your life. Working with an experienced North Myrtle Beach car accident attorney can improve your chances of recovering the full and fair payment you deserve.
The skilled North Myrtle Beach car accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm have more than 100 years of combined experience fighting for crash victims like you. We have recovered millions of dollars for our injured clients, allowing them to pay for expensive medical treatment, account for time missed from work, and cover other accident-related losses. Let us help you now.
Contact our North Myrtle Beach car accident law firm for a free case review. There is no charge for us to start work on your case. You only pay us if we secure money for you.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a North Myrtle Beach Car Accident?
Many people wonder whether they should try to handle a car accident claim on their own. The insurance company may even encourage you to do so. In cases that only involve damage to a vehicle, you certainly can. However, if you have been injured, you should trust your case with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to keep personal injury payouts as low as possible. A seasoned attorney will help you properly assess your case and determine what full compensation should be. An attorney will help you take into account both current and future anticipated losses, so you are not left with unexpected bills down the line. Overall, a personal injury attorney will look out for you, while an insurance adjuster looks out for the insurance company’s bottom line.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you could seek full compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment and long-term care needs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity for the future
- Non-economic damages, including physical pain and emotional trauma
With a skilled North Myrtle Beach car accident attorney on your side, you can accurately assess your losses and fight for the maximum amount you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim for compensation after a car crash. It’s important to begin the claims process as soon as possible so your attorney can preserve evidence and document your injuries from the start. If you wait too long and the statute of limitations runs out on your case, you will lose your right to pursue compensation.
Common Types of Car Accidents in North Myrtle Beach
Some of the most common types of car accidents that occur in Myrtle Beach include:
- Head-On Collisions: These types of collisions are sometimes called front-end collisions. Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. These collisions are extremely dangerous and often deadly. They can cause extreme physical trauma, including head and neck injuries, burns, scrapes, lacerations, and broken bones.
- Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions occur when one driver hits another driver from behind. Rear-end accidents often happen because the following driver failed to allow enough time to react and prevent a collision. Driver distraction, intoxication, poor weather conditions, and speeding all increase the risks of rear-end wrecks. They can cause serious injuries, including whiplash.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover incidents involve vehicles tipping over onto one side or rolling all the way over. These types of accidents are extremely deadly. In fact, rollover accidents make up just 2% of all accidents in the U.S., but they account for 35% of traffic-related fatalities, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Side-Impact Collisions: This collision type involves one vehicle hitting another from the side. The nature of these accidents means that drivers and passengers can be crushed by the impact of the other car.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Myrtle Beach
Some of the common causes of car accidents in North Myrtle Beach include:
- Drunk and drugged driving: People who drive while intoxicated put themselves and others in danger. Drugs and alcohol impair drivers’ ability to focus on their tasks and slow their reaction time. Driving under the influence is a crime with severe consequences.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving includes texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, or doing other actions that take a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off the task of operating a vehicle.
- Reckless driving and speeding: Drivers who ignore local laws, fail to yield the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians, or disregard speed limits in North Myrtle Beach put others in danger and cause serious accidents. When a driver speeds, he or she has less time to react to traffic pace and obstacles.
- Inclement weather: Bad weather conditions like rain and fog can lower visibility and make it more difficult for drivers to assess situations and react. When drivers fail to account for inclement weather conditions, serious accidents can happen.
Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in life-altering injuries. They can disrupt victims’ ability to do their job, enjoy regular activities, and even engage in personal relationships. Some injuries cause permanent disfigurement. Even less severe injuries can still require costly medical care, surgeries, and extensive physical therapy.
Some of the most common injuries caused by North Myrtle Beach car crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Broken and fractured bones
- Soft-tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Scrapes and lacerations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Car Accident Statistics in North Myrtle Beach, SC
- A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks U.S. 17, which runs through Myrtle Beach, the most dangerous highway in South Carolina for summer travelers.
- Horry County reported 72 fatal collisions and 78 fatalities in one recent year, as well as 170 serious injuries, and crashes with 216 people seriously injured, according to the Department of Public Safety.
- In one recent year, Horry County tied Charleston County for most traffic-related fatalities involving a drunk or impaired driver, with 25 fatalities, according to a Department of Public Safety study.
- South Carolina reported 350 fatal crashes in one recent year, with 379 fatalities recorded.
- According to CDC data, South Carolina’s crash-related death costs totaled a whopping $1.05 billion in one recent year.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in North Myrtle Beach Today
If you were injured in a North Myrtle Beach car accident, the lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm are here to fight for you. Contact us by phone or reach out to us online for a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Car Accidents
What are Common Types of Car Accidents?
Common types of accidents include: rear-end accidents, side impact, head-on collisions and rollover accidents. Many of South Carolina crashes are caused by another motorist’s negligence. Drivers who choose to text behind the wheel, drive drunk or speed on roads along the Grand Strand endanger the lives of drivers, passengers, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians alike. While some accidents are unavoidable, most are preventable simply by driving responsibly. For whatever reason, that doesn’t always happen, and the outcomes can be heartbreaking.
What are Common Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?
A few examples of compensable injuries in a car accident case include brain/head injuries, spinal cord injuries/paralysis, neck trauma/whiplash, amputations, bone fractures, lacerations, internal organ damage, chest damage, ligament and muscle strains, sprains and tears, emotional distress, and PTSD.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are frightening events. Remaining calm and level headed after a crash can help you prepare for what’s ahead. Your actions in the immediate aftermath of a wreck can affect the outcome of your personal injury claim.
Always check for injuries first. Next, call 911 to send paramedics and law enforcement to the accident scene. You should also meet with the other driver(s) and exchange information such as your name, phone number, driver’s license, and auto insurance details.
If your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, document the scene through photographs and videos from as many angles as possible. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. These steps can begin forming the foundation of a future car accident claim. Finally, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to learn your legal options.
Should I Admit Fault at the Scene of the Accident?
When meeting with the other driver at the scene of an accident, keep your conversation short and civil. Never admit fault or apologize for the accident. Even a simple “I’m sorry,” no matter how well-meaning, can be used against you as an admission of fault, jeopardizing your claim and ability to recover maximum compensation. Leave the job of establishing liability to your car accident attorney.
How Can I Get Compensation if the Driver Was Underinsured or Uninsured?
South Carolina law requires motorists to carry liability and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you suffer injuries in a collision caused by an uninsured driver or get hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you can turn to your uninsured motorist coverage for help covering your expenses.
By contrast, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional. This coverage helps pay for your expenses when an at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage to pay for your medical expenses and other losses. South Carolina insurers must offer you underinsured motorist coverage, but you are not required to purchase it.
A personal injury lawsuit may be another viable option for recovering compensation from an uninsured or underinsured motorist. After investigating your case, an uninsured car accident lawyer can identify all potential sources of compensation for you.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?
There are several ways to file a car crash claim. The insurance company may allow you to file a claim over the phone or through an online portal or app. While filing this initial claim can be relatively straightforward, it’s best to consult a car accident lawyer before getting started. An attorney can ensure you have the information you need to present a well-documented case for maximum compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident injury compensation varies depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Often, a person can seek money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
You should always speak with a car accident claim lawyer about your options for recovering money after a crash. An attorney can examine the case from all angles and gather strong evidence to improve your chances of recovering meaningful compensation.
Hurt By a Negligent Driver?
Jebaily Law Firm is a respected South Carolina law firm with offices in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our proven car accident lawyers.