Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is known for its scenic coastal views, historic charm, and bustling roadways. However, car accidents are an unfortunate reality with heavy traffic on highways like U.S. Route 17, I-526, and local roads such as Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. Victims of these crashes often face severe injuries, mounting medical expenses, and uncertainty about their legal rights.
For those injured due to another driver’s negligence, consulting a Mount Pleasant car accident lawyer can be a important step toward protecting their legal rights. The legal team at Derrick Law Firm assists victims in navigating insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Mount Pleasant
Car accidents occur in various ways, presenting unique risks to drivers and passengers. Some of the most frequent types of collisions in Mount Pleasant include:
- Rear-end collisions. Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another, often due to tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops. The abrupt forward-and-backward motion can strain neck muscles and ligaments, sometimes causing symptoms that appear hours or days later.
- T-bone accidents. Side-impact collisions frequently happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield. The lack of side protection in vehicles increases the risk of severe injuries, including broken ribs, internal organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries from the head striking windows or doors.
- Head-on collisions. When vehicles collide front-to-front, the combined force often leads to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. The extreme deceleration forces can cause internal injuries like aortic tears or brain hemorrhages that may not be immediately apparent at the crash scene.
- Sideswipe accidents. These occur when two vehicles traveling parallel scrape or collide due to improper lane changes. While sometimes minor, sideswipes can cause loss of control and secondary crashes, especially at higher speeds on highways like I-526.
- Multi-vehicle pileups. Chain-reaction accidents are particularly dangerous on congested roads or during poor weather conditions. Determining fault in these cases can be complex, as multiple drivers may share liability for following too closely or failing to adjust to hazardous conditions.
- Rollover crashes. SUVs and trucks are more susceptible to rolling over, especially in high-speed turns or when struck at an angle. Ejection and traumatic brain injuries are significant risks, as a roof crush can compromise the vehicle's structural integrity.
Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Mount Pleasant
Many collisions result from driver negligence or reckless behavior. Contributing factors may include:
- Distracted driving. Despite South Carolina’s hands-free law, texting, phone use, and other distractions remain a leading cause of accidents. Even momentary glances away from the road can result in a driver missing critical hazards or traffic signal changes, particularly in high-traffic areas like the intersection of Highway 17 and Bowman Road.
- Speeding. Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases crash severity. High-risk areas include Highway 17 and the I-526 interchange, where speed differentials between vehicles can create dangerous situations. Higher speeds also dramatically increase stopping distances and the force of impact in a collision.
- Drunk driving. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and coordination. DUI-related crashes cause injuries annually, with many occurring during nighttime hours and weekends near Mount Pleasant's entertainment districts. Intoxicated drivers often show delayed reaction times and poor decision-making, which leads to catastrophic wrecks.
- Aggressive driving. Tailgating, erratic lane changes, and road rage escalate the likelihood of severe collisions. The stress of heavy traffic on routes like the Ravenel Bridge approach can trigger aggressive behaviors that put all road users at risk. These drivers may make unsafe maneuvers without proper signaling or regard for other vehicles' right-of-way.
- Fatigued driving. Drowsy drivers exhibit slowed reflexes and impaired focus, similar to intoxicated motorists. Long commuters, shift workers, and commercial truck drivers are particularly susceptible to microsleep episodes that can cause them to drift out of lanes or miss critical traffic events. Fatigue-related crashes often involve single vehicles leaving the roadway at high speed with no braking evidence.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, inadequate lighting, and malfunctioning traffic signals can contribute to wrecks, particularly in construction zones.
Injuries Sustained in Mount Pleasant Car Accidents
The force of a collision can inflict life-altering injuries, including:
- Soft tissue injuries. Whiplash, muscle strains, and ligament tears are common and often require physical therapy. These injuries may not appear on X-rays but can cause chronic pain and limited mobility that persists for months or years. The sudden jerking motion of a crash can damage delicate cervical spine structures, leading to ongoing headaches and neck stiffness.
- Broken bones. Fractures may necessitate surgeries, immobilization, and lengthy rehabilitation. High-impact crashes can cause complex fractures that require metal plates or screws for stabilization, particularly in the legs, arms, and ribs. Elderly victims may suffer hip fractures that significantly impact mobility and independence during recovery.
- Spinal cord damage. Partial or complete paralysis can result from spinal injuries, leading to permanent disability. The violent forces in a crash can herniate discs, compress vertebrae, or sever spinal nerves, potentially causing loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site. These catastrophic injuries often require lifelong adaptive equipment and personal care assistance.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Concussions and severe TBIs may cause cognitive impairments, memory loss, and personality changes. Even "mild" TBIs can result in persistent symptoms like dizziness, light sensitivity, and difficulty concentrating that affect work performance and daily activities. More severe cases might involve brain bleeds or swelling that necessitate emergency neurosurgery.
- Internal injuries. Organ damage or internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. The spleen, liver, and kidneys are particularly vulnerable to blunt force trauma from seat belts or steering wheel impacts. These injuries often require CT scans for proper diagnosis and may lead to dangerous complications if treatment is delayed.
- Burns. Fuel fires, airbag chemicals, or hot surfaces can cause severe burns that require skin grafts. Second—and third-degree burns damage multiple skin layers, potentially leading to infections, scarring, and permanent disfigurement. Burn victims often endure painful debridement procedures and months of specialized wound care during recovery.
- Psychological trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common after severe accidents. Many victims develop phobias about driving or riding in vehicles, while others experience flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and mood changes that impact relationships and quality of life. These invisible injuries often require professional counseling and medication management.
Compensation Available for Accident Victims
If successful, injured parties may be entitled to recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses. This includes ambulance fees, hospital stays, diagnostic imaging, prescription medications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or braces. Catastrophic injuries may require compensation for decades of future medical needs, including in-home nursing care or adaptive home modifications.
- Lost wages. Calculations should account for base salary, overtime opportunities, bonuses, and benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions. For those permanently disabled, vocational experts can project lifetime earning capacity losses resulting from accident-related limitations.
- Pain and suffering. Juries may consider the intensity and duration of suffering, including chronic pain conditions, surgical recoveries, and permanent impairments. Documentation through pain journals and mental health records helps substantiate these non-economic damages.
- Property damage. If a vehicle is totaled, compensation should reflect actual cash value plus sales tax and registration fees for a comparable replacement. Personal items damaged in the crash (electronics, child seats, etc.) may also be included.
- Wrongful death damages. South Carolina allows recovery for the deceased's pre-death medical costs, loss of companionship, and the surviving family's grief and sorrow. Economic experts can calculate the deceased's projected lifetime earnings and benefits.
Choosing a Mount Pleasant Car Accident Lawyer
When selecting a law firm, victims may consider:
- Experience. A firm with a history of handling car accident cases understands the nuances of South Carolina laws. While past results do not guarantee case outcomes, experienced attorneys may recognize how local courts interpret negligence laws and damage caps, if applicable. They've also built relationships with medical providers and expert witnesses who may support the case.
- Client-focused approach. Direct attorney access and personalized attention ensure clients are informed at every stage.
- Proven results. While past settlements and verdicts don’t guarantee future success, testimonials from former clients may provide insight into the firm's professionalism and dedication on prior cases.
Car accidents in Mount Pleasant can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Victims deserve knowledgeable legal guidance to pursue the compensation they need for recovery. By working with a Mount Pleasant car accident lawyer, an injured party can focus on healing while their attorney handles their legal case.
