Driving behind a distracted driver can be more than just frustrating – it can be life-threatening. These drivers may swerve, ignore traffic signals, go at inconsistent speeds, or brake late.
Distracted driving is a major hazard on the roads, leading to more than eight deaths and 1,095 injuries per day in the United States (SC DOI). South Carolina alone has an average of 2 crashes per hour involving a distracted driver.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision caused by a distracted driver in Hilton Head, SC, or the surrounding areas, you have rights under South Carolina law. The injury attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, with their extensive experience in fighting for car accident victims, are here to help you receive the compensation you deserve for all physical, financial, and emotional damages.
Let us help you secure the full compensation you’re owed so you can focus on your recovery and a brighter future ahead.
How Our Hilton Head Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help You?
Our Hilton Head Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers are here to assist you at any stage of your distracted driving accident case. While you focus on healing, we will:
- Investigate the Accident: We will help you obtain copies of official reports, medical documentation, therapy reports, and insurance documents after your accident. Our team collaborates with trusted subject matter experts to determine what happened, identify who is responsible, and calculate the appropriate compensation to pursue on your behalf.
- Work with Your Insurer: Your car insurance policy may include personal injury protection (PIP), which can cover a portion of your medical costs regardless of who was at fault. PIP coverage is optional in South Carolina and differs from required bodily liability coverage. If you have PIP, we will assist you in preparing and filing a claim.
- Negotiate with the Defense: We will negotiate with the responsible party’s insurer to reach a fair settlement.
- File a Lawsuit if Necessary: If we need evidence that can only be obtained through discovery or negotiations are unsuccessful, we will file a lawsuit. While many car accident cases in South Carolina are resolved before trial, we are prepared to represent you in court if necessary.
By handling these critical aspects of your case, we aim to secure the best possible outcome while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
What Legal Support You Expect From Our Hilton Head Distracted Driving Accident Law Firm?
When you work with us, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will take much of the stress and groundwork of a car accident claim off your shoulders. Our attorney will handle everything from managing deadlines and technical requirements to negotiating with the insurance company, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building the strongest case on your behalf.
At our firm, we believe that effective legal representation begins with a deep understanding of our clients’ experiences. Our lawyers take the time to get to know you and recognize the stress and challenges you face following an accident.
We prioritize empathetic listening to fully comprehend your situation and build a strong case on your behalf.
Our Hilton Head personal injury attorneys are committed to maintaining excellent communication and providing compassionate representation. We strive to advocate vigorously for your rights, ensuring your story is heard with the care and dedication you deserve.
Quick action is important in these cases. Starting early, we can gather essential evidence and speak to witnesses while their memories are fresh.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your rights and how we can help you. Understanding your legal options means nothing to lose and potentially much to gain.
What is a Distracted Driving Accident?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clarifies distracted driving as “any resource that diverts attention from driving.” Three main types of distractions can affect drivers:
- Visual: Diversions that take a driver’s eyes off the road.
- Manual: Diversions that take a driver’s hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive: Diversions that take a driver’s mind off driving.
The most common diversions involve speaking on a cell phone, texting, or using an electronic device while driving. Texting while driving is particularly hazardous because it involves all three distractions.
According to the NHTSA, the average text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, this is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field without looking.
However, cell phone use is not the only kind of distraction. Other distractions that can lead to car accidents include eating, drinking, smoking, grooming, reading, watching in-vehicle entertainment, and interacting with pets or passengers.
Examples of Distracted Driving
A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving. Distractions can be visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), or cognitive (taking your mind off driving).
Examples of distractions include, but are not limited to:
- Texting
- Eating
- Drinking
- Adjusting vehicle controls
- Reading
- Daydreaming
- Talking to passengers or on the phone
- Applying makeup
- Watching videos
- Checking social media
- Checking emails
- Reaching for things
- Looking at something inside or outside the car
Under South Carolina law, it is illegal to use a wireless electronic communication device to compose, send, or read a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle on public streets and state highways (S.C. Code Section 56-5-3890).
Drivers in South Carolina are expected to uphold a duty of care to keep themselves and others on the road safe. This includes paying attention to the road while driving and following the rules of the road.
When a driver fails to do so, resulting in a car accident, that driver may be found negligent and held fully or partially at fault.
Types of Distracted Driving Accidents in Hilton Head
Here are some of the types of distracted driving accidents mentioned below:
Head-on Crashes
Head-on collisions occur when a distracted driver veers out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Due to the significant force involved, these crashes are among the most devastating.
The impact often results in severe injuries or fatalities for both parties. Head-on collisions can happen if drivers are texting, eating, or not paying attention to the road, causing them to drift across the center line.
Preventing these accidents requires undivided attention to the road and adherence to lane discipline.
T-bone Crashes
T-bone crashes, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when a driver runs a stop sign or red light, enters cross-traffic, and strikes another vehicle at a perpendicular angle. These accidents are particularly dangerous for the vehicle’s occupants hit on its side, as the side of a car offers less protection than the front or rear.
Distracted driving, such as checking a phone or talking to passengers, can cause a driver to miss traffic signals, leading to severe collisions.
Sideswipes
Sideswipe accidents involve a vehicle being struck on its side by another car. These typically happen when a distracted driver drifts out of their lane or into a parking lane, often due to distractions like adjusting vehicle controls or reaching for something inside the car.
While sideswipes may seem less severe, they can cause drivers to lose control, leading to more serious crashes. Maintaining lane discipline and staying focused can help prevent sideswipe accidents.
Rollovers
Rollovers occur when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. Distracted driving impairs reaction time and steering accuracy, making rollovers more likely, especially during sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
A driver engrossed in distractions such as texting or adjusting the radio may not respond correctly to road conditions, increasing the risk of a rollover. Rollovers are highly dangerous, often resulting in significant injuries or fatalities, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance while driving.
Rear-end Crashes
Rear-end crashes happen when a distracted driver fails to notice slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead and collides with the vehicle in front of them. Common distractions leading to rear-end accidents include texting, eating, or daydreaming.
These crashes can cause whiplash and other serious injuries to the occupants of both vehicles. Maintaining a safe following distance and staying alert can prevent these accidents.
Skidding/Loss of Control
Sudden braking or oversteering by a distracted driver can lead to skidding or loss of vehicle control. Such scenarios often result from distractions that take the driver’s focus off the road, such as using a phone or interacting with passengers.
When a vehicle skids, it can collide with other cars, barriers, or pedestrians, causing significant harm. Ensuring full attention to driving and avoiding abrupt maneuvers can help maintain control and prevent accidents.
Damages Recoverable from Distracted Driving Accident Claims
Distracted driving accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from sprains and broken bones to severe spinal injuries. If you’ve been affected by such an accident that wasn’t your fault, you don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone.
Our experienced Hilton Head distracted lawyers are here to protect your rights and ensure you receive compensation for all past, present, and future costs associated with the accident, including but not limited to:
- Doctor Bills
- Hospital Bills
- Specialist Bills
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Physical Therapy Costs
- Past and Future Lost Wages
- Reduced Earning Capacity
- Property Damage
- Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Wrongful Death
And More.
This list is just a starting point. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be entitled to additional compensation, such as punitive damages.
To learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to after a car accident in Hilton Head, SC, caused by a distracted driver, contact our team today for a free case evaluation. We’ll help you understand your options under South Carolina law and assess the potential worth of your distracted driving accident case.
Types of Injuries Caused by Distracted Drivers in Hilton Head, SC
When drivers divert their attention from the road, they significantly increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Some common injuries caused by distracted driving include:
- Shoulder and Neck Injuries: Rear-end collisions, a common consequence of distracted driving, can cause sudden jerking motions that lead to neck injuries, broken collarbones, and other shoulder-related injuries.
- Brain and Head Injuries: In more severe accidents, distracted drivers may cause head injuries, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries can long-term affect cognitive functions and overall quality of life.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Collisions resulting from distracted driving can lead to fractures and broken bones. Impacts on the steering wheel, dashboard, or other objects within the vehicle can cause broken bones in various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: High-speed accidents caused by distracted driving can result in severe spinal cord injuries. These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and extent of the damage.
- Facial Injuries: In accidents where the airbag deploys or the driver hits the steering wheel or dashboard, facial injuries can occur. These injuries may include lacerations, fractures, or dental damage.
- Fatal Injuries: In 2023, 3,142 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Additionally, the CDC reports that “nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.”
- Psychological and Emotional Trauma: Being involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver can have psychological and emotional consequences. Victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Hilton Head?
If you are hurt after a car accident, take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Call 911: Report the accident immediately. Law enforcement will arrive to conduct an investigation, take statements, and write an objective report of what happened.
- Seek Medical Attention: If a medical team does not arrive at the accident scene, you and any other injured parties should go to the nearest emergency room. Your care team will identify any injuries and begin early treatment for the best possible prognosis. Documenting your injuries in medical records as soon as possible is crucial for your personal injury case.
- Identify Witnesses: Obtain the names and phone numbers of third parties who saw what happened. If your injuries prevent you from gathering witness information, have someone you trust to do it on your behalf.
- Take Videos and Photos: You or someone you trust should take pictures and video footage of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries.
- Don’t Speculate: Avoid making speculative statements about the accident, including comments about who you think is at fault.
- Stay Off Social Media: Do not post until your case is resolved. Also, ask your friends and family to refrain from posting about you.
Contact Our Hilton Head Distracted Driving Lawyers Today!
Accidents caused by distracted drivers can result in serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and even a fear of driving. Our distracted driving accident attorneys in Hilton Head, SC, have the experience and resources to represent your case aggressively.
We aim to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and help discourage distracted driving in the future. Our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Get a free case evaluation with our distracted driving accident attorneys today by contacting us today at (864) 664-3865 to learn more and get the support you need.
