Greenville County has the highest number of traffic collisions in the entire state of South Carolina. In 2019, the most recent year with complete statistics available, there were over 17,000 car accidents in the county. Not only does Greenville have the most car accidents, but it also has one of the highest rates of accidents in the state, meaning the high number is about more than just being a population center. Of these crashes, nearly 4,000 of them caused a personal injury.
Why Greenville Has So Many Car Accidents
What we also know is that the severity of traffic crashes in South Carolina has gotten worse. Even when the outright number of traffic accidents went down because of the pandemic, the number of serious injuries and fatalities increased. In 2021, Greenville County had the highest number of traffic fatalities in South Carolina.
There are a number of reasons why Greenville roads continue to get more dangerous:
- I-85 is far too narrow for all the traffic that it carries, and a widening project seems to still be years in the future.
- Greenville County has the highest amount of DUI accidents in the state.
- Drivers have gotten far more reckless, both speeding excessively and driving aggressively in traffic.
- Motorists do not keep both eyes on the road, keeping one or both of them on their mobile devices.
On the city roads, there are two Greenville intersections that show up on some lists of the most dangerous intersections in Upstate South Carolina:
- East North Street At North Pleasantburg Drive
- White Horse Road At Anderson Road in Greenville County
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How to Get Financial Compensation for Your Greenville Car Accident
Now that we have explained how bad the problem is getting in Greenville, we will tell you how you can get financial compensation if you have been injured in a car accident. Of course, you do not automatically get a settlement check every time that you are hurt in a crash. Instead, your compensation depends on proving that another driver was responsible for your injuries.
The legal test for every car accident case is negligence. There are some cases where a car crash cannot be blamed on one of the drivers. Then, you will not get the financial compensation that you will when someone was at fault.
In every car accident, negligence involves a four-part test. The elements to prove are:
- The driver owed you a duty of care.
- They breached the duty of care by acting unreasonably under the circumstances.
- You suffered an injury.
- You would not have been injured had it not been for the actions of the driver.
Examples of Car Accident Negligence
In every car accident case, much of the inquiry will focus on whether a driver acted unreasonably. You will need evidence that proves what the other driver did in the accident. Here are some examples of unreasonable conduct that can make a driver liable in a car accident:
- Running a red light
- Driving over the speed limit or too fast for the circumstances
- Causing an accident while texting
- Illegal lane changes
- Reckless driving
If you allege that the other driver did something to cause the accident, you must have some evidence that shows what they did. Proof can be difficult to gather when you are dealing with car accident injuries.
Once you show liability, it is time to talk money with the insurance company. Here, things can really get difficult. Sometimes, an insurance company will readily concede liability. However, their settlement offer to you will likely fall far short of what it takes to properly compensate you for the damages that you have suffered.
Car Accident Damages That You Can Recover
You do not need to accept the insurance company’s settlement offer as a given. They do not get to decide how much money you receive for your injuries. The law ultimately decides what you get. You are legally entitled to be paid for all your damages, including:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damages
- Wrongful death damages if your loved one died in the crash
You have the legal obligation to prove your damages. You should not count on an insurance company to draw any inferences in your favor. Even if they can see everything clearly in front of them on paper, they will still try to underpay your claim. You should count on rejecting at least one offer and engage in a lengthy settlement negotiation. Your attorney will review any settlement offer that you receive to see if it is enough. If the offer is deemed insufficient, they will advise you to reject the offer and file your own demand letter.
If your claim is denied, or if the insurance company will not offer you the money to which you are legally entitled, you still have options. You can file a lawsuit against the other driver in court. If you do not settle your case, the jury will decide your case. However, personal injury jury trials do not happen very often because most cases will settle without a trial.
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Call a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
The Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm has a long track record of helping people who have been injured in car accidents. We will work to hold the responsible party liable and maximize your financial compensation. You can reach out to us online or call us today at (864) 280-7660 to schedule your free initial consultation. Not only is the consultation free, but you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case.
FAQ
Should I file an insurance claim or a lawsuit after my car accident?
It depends on your individual circumstances. Your lawyer will advise you at the time on what may work best for you.
How much is my car accident claim worth?
It all depends on the damages that you suffered.
Can I get punitive damages in a car accident case?
It is possible to get punitive damages for conduct that is gross negligence, recklessness, or willful and wanton. An example would be causing a car wreck while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.