Myrtle Beach is full of locals and more than its fair share of tourists. The presence of those who may not be familiar with the area or are excited to be on vacation may put drivers at an increased risk of distracted driving accidents. If someone’s distracted driving has caused your injury, you need the experience of a Myrtle Beach distracted driving accident lawyer.
For over a decade, Shelly Leeke Law Firm has been working with the injured in the South Carolina and Myrtle Beach area. Our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer works tirelessly with our team to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our firm offers empathetic service, a track record of success, and a no-win, no-fee guarantee.
The Value of a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Myrtle Beach
If you are traveling from out of the area or out of state, you may be unsure whether to contact an attorney locally where you live or in Myrtle Beach, where the accident happened. There are many benefits to a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer. Some of these include:
- Relationships with local authorities and legal professionals
- Familiarity with the local courthouses and attorneys
- Awareness of the local landscape. For example, they may know shops or offices near your accident that could provide video footage of your accident.
Evidence in Your Distracted Driving Case
Evidence is a necessity for any successful settlement or lawsuit. When you have an attorney, they often take the lead in identifying or collecting appropriate evidence for your case. This is most often documentation of various types, and it may be collected for the accident itself or the resulting injuries.
Some supporting evidence your attorney may try to obtain include a police report with witness statements or photos. If the police issued a citation at the accident scene, your lawyer would likely be interested since it can serve as documentation to show the other driver was negligent in their duty to follow traffic laws. Additionally, they may request cellphone records to determine if the phone was in active use at the time of or immediately before the accident.
Additionally, research has shown us that the posted speed limits may affect the likelihood of distracted driving. In an examination of distracted driving in the context of driving speed, we see that distracted behaviors, like phone handling, increase as posted speed limits decrease. While this relationship alone may not be direct evidence, it may provide important context to what happened.
Myrtle Beach Distracted Driving
It is human nature to get distracted from time to time. However, every driver must prevent distractions, and when they fail to do this, it can cause an accident. Myrtle Beach area can be especially susceptible when we discuss what is considered distracted driving:
- Enjoying the scenery
- Adjusting navigation systems or phone settings
- Eating or drinking
- Having an emotionally charged discussion
- Thinking emotionally charged thoughts or having intense feelings
- Applying makeup
- Addressing passengers or meeting the needs of children
Signs of Distracted Driving
There may not always be a clear indication that someone is driving distracted. For example, if they are lost in thought, they may still look at the road with their hands on the wheel. However, some signs of distracted driving at the scene of an accident may include:
- Lack of skid marks (minimal or no attempt to stop)
- Haphazard skid marks (may be seen from overcorrecting when the driver notices an issue)
- High-speed impact (again showing late or no attempt to stop)
- Signs of drifting off the road
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Myrtle Beach
If you are involved in a distracted driving accident in Myrtle Beach, several things should be prioritized in the immediate aftermath. No matter what, the first concern is ensuring you are safe from immediate harm. Following this, you should do a few things:
- Call 911 or report to the police to prompt a police investigation and report. When you report the accident, you can also request EMS for an immediate medical evaluation and treatment of significant injuries on-site.
- Take pictures of the scene, your vehicle, and other vehicles involved. This should include the surrounding area and any marks on the road.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation. Failing to do so may result in missing an underlying injury, as well as cast doubt on the validity of your claim.
- Call a Myrtle Beach distracted driving accident attorney .
Injuries in Myrtle Beach Distracted Driving Cases
The injuries seen in a distracted driving accident are often similar to any other type of accident but may be more severe if the collision happened at higher speeds because the driver failed to stop or break. The injuries you may sustain in a distracted driving accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Broken Bones
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injury
The types of injuries you receive and how you recover from them differ from person to person. However, if someone else’s negligent driving behavior caused your injuries, you deserve compensation for your losses. When these injuries are extensive, you can trust Shelly Leeke Law Firm to provide individualized and compassionate support through your case and recovery.
Compensation in Your Myrtle Beach Distracted Driving Case
In the days immediately following your distracted driving accident, you may hear from the insurance company offering you a settlement amount. It is critical to remember that this is their starting amount in a negotiation, meaning they are often prepared to provide more than this initial number, and it fails to include significant components of your losses. Some of the damages you may be able to recover from your distracted driving case include:
- Medical bills
- Medication costs
- Medical devices or equipment
- Costs to replace damaged property
- Pain and suffering
In addition to the above losses, something the insurance company often fails to consider upfront is the time and money you lose from work. Missing even a day of work can put many people behind on bills. The responsible parties should compensate you for this added loss.
Call a Distracted Driving Attorney in Myrtle Beach Today
Recovering from car accident injuries can be grueling, taking a toll on you physically, mentally, and financially. Insurance companies often rely on your desire to get through your situation and return to normalcy, allowing them to get away with lower payouts.
A distracted driving accident lawyer in Myrtle Beach from Shelly Leeke Law Firm prioritizes building a relationship with you to understand your needs and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our firm offers a contingency fee payment schedule, allowing you to utilize our services without fearing a pile of legal fees and nothing to show for it. We offer free case consultations with no obligation so we can discuss your situation and goals.
