North Charleston Wrongful Death Lawyers

South Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys Pursue Justice in Fatal Accident Cases

Losing a loved one is always a very difficult time for families. However, the pain associated with this loss is magnified when a family member’s death was due to a preventable accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control, accidents account for approximately 170,000 deaths across the country, making accidental deaths the third leading cause of death in the United States.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, our North Charleston wrongful death lawyers work diligently to help families obtain compensation after a tragic loss. We recognize that losing a loved one can forever affect your family in various ways, from a loss of companionship to the loss of financial support. We make it our goal to help families move on from a tragedy in any way we can. The Steinberg Law Firm is here for you.

What Is a South Carolina Wrongful Death Case?

The term wrongful death refers to a type of personal injury claim brought by the surviving loved ones of a deceased accident victim. To prove a wrongful death claim, an experienced attorney must be able to establish that another person’s “wrongful act, neglect, or default” caused the death of their loved one.  A wrongful death claim can stem from many types of accidents, including:

• Car accidents
• Truck wrecks
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip-and-falls
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
• Malpractice

North Charleston wrongful death claims must be brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased accident victim’s estate within three years of their death. The proceeds from a wrongful death claim may be payable to the deceased’s surviving spouse and children. If the deceased did not leave behind a spouse or children, then the victim’s parents or other heirs will be the claim’s beneficiaries.

Fatal Injury Statistics in South Carolina

Many types of accidents cause fatal injuries to South Carolina residents each year. These include roadway accidents, workplace accidents, and other incidents. 

Fatal Accidents in North Charleston

The Charleston County Coroner’s Office reported 2.654 deaths in 2023. Sixteen percent, or 412 deaths, were classified under “Accident.” 

Fatal accidents in Charleston County in 2023 included:

• Traffic collisions (83 deaths)
• Falls (66 deaths)
• Suffocation (9 deaths)
• Drowning (6 deaths) 
• Fire (3 deaths)
• Industrial accident (1 death) 

Train and airplane accidents caused one death apiece in Charleston County in 2023. Three people experienced heat-related deaths, and two died of complications connected to medical treatment. 

Traffic crashes were the second most common cause of unintentional death, after drug toxicity. In 2022, 23 fatal crashes caused 25 deaths in North Charleston. Nine pedestrians lost their lives after being struck by a vehicle.

Roadway Accidents

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) recorded 1,018 fatal crashes that caused 1,093 roadway deaths in 2022. While this number represents a slight decrease from the 1,198 lives lost in 2021, it is still higher than roadway death rates in 2020 and previous years. 

In 2022:

• 528 people died in automobile collisions.
• 294 people died in pickup truck crashes.
• 81 people died in tractor-trailer crashes.
• 357 people died in SUV collisions.
• 147 people died in motorcycle accidents.
• 25 people died in a bicycling accident.
• 173 pedestrians were killed on South Carolina roads. 

These crashes also included 15 deaths in hit-and-run accidents, where a vehicle could not be identified. The SCDPS estimates that these deaths and accidents caused over $5 billion in economic losses. 

Workplace Deaths

On-the-job accidents and injuries claim hundreds of lives nationwide each year. In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded the following workplace death information in South Carolina.

• 112 workers died from on-the-job injuries. 
• 44 deaths involved “transportation incidents,” such as vehicle crashes.
• 23 deaths were caused by exposure to harmful substances or environments, such as extreme heat, cold, or toxic chemicals.
• 16 deaths resulted from “contact incidents” such as being struck by a tool, a load of materials, or debris.
• 9 deaths resulted from “violent acts” committed in the workplace. 

While fatal workplace accidents can occur anywhere, some workplaces were more dangerous than others. For instance, 45 deaths occurred in “production, transportation, and material moving occupations,” compared to only four deaths in “sales and related occupations.” Construction, installation, and maintenance also had relatively high fatality rates, claiming 37 lives in 2023. 

Other Fatal Injury Statistics

The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains statistics on many forms of injury, including fatal injuries, within the state. According to the SCDPH, in 2022, 6,274 South Carolina residents died as a result of fatal injuries. Another 26,226 people were hospitalized, and 442,460 people visited the emergency room for treatment after a serious injury. 

Common causes of death in South Carolina in 2022 included:

• Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents were the number-one cause of accidental death for South Carolina residents ages one to 24 in 2022. They were the second most common cause of death for those ages 25 to 84. 
• Falls. Falls were the leading cause of death for South Carolina residents ages 65 and older in 2022. Falls can occur at home, while shopping, or at work. 
• Suffocation and drowning. While less common, suffocation and drowning were among the top five causes of death for all age groups from birth to age 34 in 2022. These accidents can occur in several ways. Unguarded swimming pools, buckets, and bathtubs can cause a fatal drowning accident, as can improperly-patrolled beaches, negligence from boaters sharing a lake or river, and even negligence in a medical care setting. 

As these deaths claim lives, they also claim valuable resources from grieving families. TRIP, a national transportation research non-profit, estimates that traffic deaths alone cost South Carolina families $30.9 billion in 2023. This number includes both financial losses like lost wages, and quality of life losses, such as the loss of a loved one’s care and companionship. Families can seek compensation for both financial and non-financial losses in a wrongful death case. 

Types of Damages in a North Charleston Wrongful Death Claim

Nothing can bring back a loved one who was lost in a preventable accident, and no amount of money will lessen the pain family members experience in the wake of such a tragedy. However, the compensation that may be available through a wrongful death claim can at least provide some financial support to grieving families.

While every case is unique, the following are the types of damages that are commonly recovered through a wrongful death claim:

• Medical expenses;
• Funeral and burial expenses;
• Lost wages and benefits, including future earnings;
• Loss of support or companionship; or
• Mental anguish.

In cases involving a defendant’s reckless, willful, or malicious actions, a family may also be able to pursue exemplary, or punitive damages. Unlike the damages listed above, punitive damages are specifically intended to punish the defendant, rather than to compensate a grieving family. As a result, when appropriate, exemplary damages can be significant.

Time Limits in a North Charleston Wrongful Death Case

South Carolina law sets time limits on filing a personal injury claim. Wrongful death claims are also subject to this time limit.

In South Carolina, a surviving family member or estate representative has three years to file a wrongful death case. This three-year period typically starts to run as of the date of death. Cases that aren’t filed within this time limit may not be heard in court. 

It’s important to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a death. A lawyer can ensure your claim is filed within the three-year time limit. If you suspect the deadline has passed, speak to an attorney; a lawyer can clarify when the deadline falls in your case and help you identify other options you may have if the deadline has passed. 

Discuss Your Claim With a North Charleston Wrongful Death Lawyer

After a serious accident, you may know your family needs help, but you may wonder where to start. It can be difficult to consider filing a lawsuit if you have little experience with the court system. Add the burden of grief and the need to help your loved ones at this time, and getting the compensation you need can feel impossible. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Reach out to attorneys who have years of experience in helping families with North Charleston wrongful death claims. When looking for a lawyer:

• Listen to how the attorney answers your questions. Choose a lawyer who gives you answers you understand and can use. 
• Look for reviews from past clients 一 especially reviews that talk about how well the attorney communicated with them or supported them in a tough time.
• Choose a lawyer and a law firm with experience helping families in similar situations. 

If you have recently lost a loved one in a preventable accident, contact the North Charleston wrongful death attorneys at the Steinberg Law Firm. Our compassionate team of personal injury attorneys understands that this is a very difficult time for you and your family, and we are here to help. We will never pressure you.. If you choose to allow us to file a claim on your behalf, we will diligently pursue maximum compensation for your losses. 

With over 95 years of experience helping families obtain the compensation they need and deserve after senselessly losing a loved one, we can confidently guide your family through the recovery process. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, call us at 843-720-2800 to speak with one of our experienced team members. You can also reach us through our online form.