Navigating Charleston, South Carolina’s bustling highways can often feel overwhelming with the sheer volume of vehicles, construction zones, and unpredictable drivers. Unfortunately, these factors contribute to thousands of highway accidents each year, leaving victims with injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma. If you have been involved in a highway accident, you need an experienced Charleston car accident lawyer to fight for you.
Each Charleston highway accident lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is dedicated to protecting accident victims’ rights and helping them receive the compensation they deserve. As Charleston’s trusted accident lawyers, we provide personalized legal services tailored to meet your needs during this challenging time.
For over a decade, we have recovered millions in compensation for personal injury victims in Charleston and throughout the state.
Why You Need a Charleston Highway Accident Attorney
Highway accidents can involve multiple vehicles, catastrophic injuries, and complex legal and insurance issues. Navigating the aftermath of an accident alone can be overwhelming.
Our Charleston personal injury lawyers understand the unique challenges posed by highway accidents and are skilled in handling cases involving:
- High-speed collisions.
- Multi-vehicle pileups.
- Commercial truck accidents.
- Motorcycle crashes.
- Reckless or impaired drivers.
- Dangerous road conditions.
The stakes are high in these cases, as the damages can range from costly medical bills and lost wages to long-term physical and emotional suffering. Hiring a knowledgeable Charleston highway accident attorney ensures your case is handled professionally and increases your chances of securing maximum compensation.
Contact us today to determine if you have a South Carolina personal injury case.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents in Charleston
Charleston’s highways, including I-26, I-526, and Highway 17, are vital transportation routes; however, they are also hotspots for serious accidents. According to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book, Charleston County had the highest number of traffic collisions in the state in 2022, exceeding 16,100. Accidents on Charleston highways are commonly caused by:
- Distracted driving: Texting, phone calls, and other distractions take drivers’ attention away from the road, often leading to rear-end collisions and lane-departure crashes.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact during a collision, often resulting in more severe injuries.
- Drunk or impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs compromise their ability to make safe decisions, leading to devastating accidents.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving through traffic, or ignoring traffic signals frequently cause accidents.
- Weather conditions: Rain, fog, and flooding are common in Charleston, making highways slick and hazardous for drivers unprepared for reduced visibility and traction.
- Defective vehicles: Faulty brakes, tires, or other mechanical issues can lead to accidents, sometimes implicating vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Highway Accidents
Highway accidents often result in severe injuries due to the high speeds involved. A highway accident lawyer in Charleston has extensive experience representing clients who have suffered a variety of injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
- Fractures and dislocations.
- Burns and lacerations.
- Internal organ damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
The extent of your injuries is one of the five things that will affect the worth of your South Carolina personal injury claim. This is why we work closely with medical professionals to evaluate the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. We will help to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your current and future needs.
Damages You Can Recover in a Charleston Highway Accident Claim
If you are involved in a highway accident in Charleston, you may face physical injuries, financial hardships, and emotional distress. South Carolina law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for these losses through a personal injury claim.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Charleston highway accident lawyers are committed to helping you recover the maximum compensation you deserve, potentially including:
- Economic damages: Economic damages compensate you for the measurable financial losses caused by the accident. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages account for the less tangible impacts of an accident, which often have profound effects on your quality of life. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages: While not every accident warrants punitive damages, you can receive them in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were especially reckless, malicious, or egregiously negligent. These damages do not compensate for your losses but rather punish the responsible party and deter similar future behavior.
What to Do After a Highway Accident in Charleston
Being involved in a highway accident can be traumatic and disorienting. Knowing the steps to take immediately after an accident is crucial for protecting your health, legal rights, and potential compensation.
Staying calm and following these guidelines can lay the groundwork for a successful recovery and a strong personal injury claim.
- Seek medical attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not present symptoms immediately.
- Contact law enforcement: File a police report to document the accident. This report can be crucial evidence in your case.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers involved.
- Avoid discussing fault: Do not admit fault or make statements to insurance adjusters without consulting a highway accident attorney in Charleston.
- Contact a Charleston highway accident law firm: Our experienced attorneys can guide you through the legal process, deal with insurance companies, and protect your rights.
Contact a Charleston Highway Accident Attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a highway accident in Charleston, do not face the legal challenges without the help of our personal injury team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
We will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve if someone else’s negligence or carelessness causes you injuries and other damages.
