Car accidents occur all the time in South Carolina, and unfortunately the number has been increasing steadily over the years. In 2015, a record 133,961 accidents occurred in the state, a 31.5% increase from 2011, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS).
There are countless different ways cars can get into accidents, though many take place at busy intersections. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 40% of the 5.8 million reported accidents in the U.S. in 2013 were intersection-related crashes.
The most common accident that occurs at an intersection is known as a T-bone collision. A T-bone, or right-angle, accident occurs when one vehicle crashes into the side of another, often causing serious injuries to the person sitting on the side of the vehicle hit. Common injuries suffered in these accidents include broken bones, spinal cord and neck injuries, and head and brain trauma – injuries that can be costly to treat and can be permanent.
HOW DO T-BONE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN & WHO IS AT FAULT?
Many people may be wondering who can be found responsible for damages in a T-bone accident, but like all accidents, some investigation and evidence is needed to make a judgment, as no two accidents are the same.
According to the NHTSA, most T-bone accidents are caused by human error, or negligence, and these errors include:
- Distracted driving
- Misjudging the speed of an oncoming vehicle
- Not looking before turning
- Turning with an obstructed view
- Illegal maneuvers
Because T-bone accidents tend to happen when one car is attempting a left turn, it’s common to assume that the car who impacted the other car is held liable. However, this isn’t always the case. For example, if the turning car did not have the right of way and should have waited for oncoming traffic to pass before attempting a turn, they can be held responsible for damage that is done to the car.
It’s important to note, however, that South Carolina is a comparative fault state, meaning that injured individuals found to be partly at fault for their accident can have the amount of compensation impacted. If you were found to be 20% at fault for your accident in a claim for $100,000, the most you’d be able to recover is $80,000. This is why it’s important that you hire an attorney who can get to work building your case so you have the best chance at recovering what you deserve after being injured.
COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY
Bostic Law Group, P.A. is a Charleston-based law firm that has spent the last two decades helping injured members in our community. We’re pleased to offer a wide range of services to help as many injured clients as possible, and we have ample experience handling and settling car accident claims. Our experience has given us the opportunity to work on a variety of car accident claims and fight for our clients’ right to compensation.
Common types of car accident cases we’ve seen include:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Fatigued driving
- Intersection accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents
When you’ve been injured by another driver, you want to entrust your case to a law firm that is known for its long track record of success, like our firm. Having handled a number of T-bone accident cases in our time as a firm, we know what evidence to look for and how we can protect your rights so you can secure the maximum amount of compensation available.
Injured in a car accident? You can turn to the caring and experienced car accident attorneys at Bostic Law Group, P.A. and call us for a legal consultation at (843) 350-9646, or contact us online. You don’t have to worry about paying us a cent until we win.
