Highways are often the quickest way to your destination. However, when asked, “What is the most common type of accident on a highway?” most evidence points to rear-end accidents.
If you have been in a negligent car accident, a North Charleston car accident lawyer can help you explore your options.
Statistics of Common Types of Accidents on Highways in South Carolina
The highways in South Carolina are often prone to some sort of accident, with many people sharing the road. It is not uncommon for people to be in a rush in such a busy state and cause a crash, especially during peak hours. According to the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, rear-end accidents were the most common type of speed-related accident, accounting for 35.7% of highway accidents.
In addition, the study found broadside crashes (22%) and vehicles hitting stationary objects (10.5%), like highway rails or light poles, to be the next most frequent type of accident on interstate highways. Interstates were credited as the most dangerous type of highway for common crash locations.
Rollovers, particularly involving trucks and SUVs, seem to cause the most serious damage to person and property. These types of crashes usually happen because of sharp turns at high speeds or when larger vehicles are hit at an angle. According to the 2022 Fact Book, more than 1,100 rollover crashes were reported, leading to numerous injuries and fatalities.
Challenges When Trying to Prove a Rear-End Accident
As you try to determine who is at fault after a highway accident, it isn’t always easy. Proving liability involves putting together solid evidence and piecing together what happened right before the crash. Some common challenges when putting together your case include:
- Not having enough traffic camera footage.
- Conflicting statements and limited eyewitness testimony.
- Accident scenes that are complex because of multiple vehicles and unclear debris patterns.
These challenges make it critical to take action promptly after your highway accident. Even if you are in one of the most frequent types of interstate highway accidents, you will still need to prove you were not at fault. You must show you did not have any liability if someone caused the accident, even from behind.
Never Skip Medical Care After a South Carolina Highway Accident
After a rear-end accident on the highway, it may be easy to just want to be done with the situation, walk away, and think you are fine. However, this can cause more issues in the long run. Most people think they are fine because of the adrenaline in their bodies after the accident.
Once the day goes on, or even weeks, you may start to notice the injuries creeping into your everyday life. However, if you never went to the doctor after your rear-end car accident, the other party and their insurance company could easily say that the injuries were not because of the crash. Getting medical care as soon as possible protects your health and legal standpoint.
When you ignore medical care, it can delay your recovery. For example, if you end up with any pain or mobility issues that could have been addressed earlier, this could leave you with more issues. When you seek medical care, it is also not just for obvious injuries you know you have but also for any hidden problems that you are not aware of yet.
Other Forms of Evidence for Your Rear-End Highway Accident
Your medical records are just one piece of the puzzle when you are trying to prove what happened during your highway rear-end accident. Other types of evidence can strengthen your claim and show that you did not cause the crash. Some other types of evidence for a rear-end crash you should include are the following:
- Pictures and videos of the scene, especially if there are skid marks, traffic signs, or weather conditions.
- See if any surveillance cameras are around.
- Dashcam footage, if you can provide it.
When the police show up, you should always get a copy of your police report. If you do not have one, you can still get a car accident report by going to the law enforcement station that handled your crash. This report holds a lot of weight and can help defend yourself against any accusations from the other party or if the other driver of an accident denies liability.
How South Carolina Negligence Laws Affect Common Highway Accidents
If you think you hold some liability for the rear-end car collision, it is only natural to feel worried about how that will affect the outcome of the case. In South Carolina, there is a modified negligence rule, per the South Carolina Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act. If you are not more than 50 percent at fault, you should still be able to receive some sort of compensation.
Make sure you avoid making a statement that could make anyone assume you hold more fault than you actually do. This is why you should never talk to the other driver unless your lawyer is present. The same goes for any insurance adjusters, as it can be easy for them to skew your words or statements.
Always stick to the facts. You should let the evidence and police reports speak for themselves. Holding some of the liability can lower your settlement, but if you are under the 50 percent liability, you can still potentially receive compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Shelly Leeke Lawyer Today
The most common type of accident on a highway is a rear-end accident. With a dedicated lawyer on your side, you can properly strategize your case so you can potentially get the outcome you are looking for. Shelly Leeke Law provides over a decade of experience when handling your case.
Because we have clients with similar cases, we have seen the struggles they face. This puts our team in the best position possible to understand what you need ahead of time to better help you. Reach out to our team to start with a free, no-obligation consultation.
