Drive along any road in South Carolina and you’re bound to see a distracted driver. It only takes a few seconds of inattention to cause a serious and potentially deadly car accident — and unfortunately, these types of crashes happen all too frequently in the Palmetto State.
The most recent data from the S.C. Department of Public Safety reports that there were more than 9,700 distracted driving crashes in South Carolina in 2017. Of that number, eight people died and 3,373 were injured.
The tragic part about distracted driving accidents is that they are entirely preventable. Drivers have the power to control their behavior behind the wheel. If they make the wrong choice and a collision occurs, they can —and should — be held liable for their recklessness.
If you or a loved one was hurt or killed in a crash involving a distracted driver, the experienced attorneys at Land Parker Welch LLC can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. With over 120 years of combined legal experience, our compassionate legal team stands up for the rights of accident victims in Manning and throughout the surrounding South Carolina communities.
Call or contact us today to discuss your legal rights in a free consultation.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention off the road. Distractions can be:
- Manual: Requiring you to take your hands off the wheel (e.g., texting, eating, grooming)
- Visual: Making you take your eyes off the road (e.g., changing the climate controls or radio station)
- Cognitive: Mental distractions that cause you to “zone out” (e.g., fatigue, stress, talking to a passenger or on a cell phone)
Injuries from distracted driving accidents can lead to astronomical medical bills, lost income and an uncertain future for many victims and their families. Our legal team can investigate the details of the crash to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.
How to Prove a Driver Was Distracted
Our attorneys know what it takes to prove that a driver was distracted at the time of the crash. This could come through:
- The driver’s admission: Sometimes, honest drivers will own up to their mistakes.
- Cell phone records: We can subpoena cell phone records to show that the phone was in use when the accident happened.
- Police report: An officer’s account of the accident can be an important piece of evidence in a distracted driving case.
- Traffic camera and video footage: Surveillance videos may show that a driver was texting or otherwise distracted behind the wheel.
- Witnesses: Any eyewitnesses to the crash (including passengers) may be able to testify that the at-fault driver was distracted.
- Physical evidence: Spilled food, drink or makeup inside the car could pinpoint the cause of the accident was distracted driving.
- Accident reconstruction: Experts who are trained to analyze accident scenes can determine whether driver inattention played a role in the wreck.
How Our Manning, SC Distracted Driving Attorneys Can Help
A distracted driving attorney from Land Parker Welch LLC can get started on your case immediately to protect your rights to compensation. We represent clients in Manning, Bishopville, Sumter, Summerton, Mayesville, Turbeville and in nearby areas.
Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Sources:
SC Department of Public Safety: “2017 Traffic Collision Fact Book.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Traffic Safety Facts: Distracted Driving 2016.”
